About This Ford Focus ST 2013 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Ford Focus ST 2013 sits on a set of 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-inch Option Lab R716 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Option Lab for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Ford Focus ST builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Option Lab R716 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Option Lab R716 on the Ford Focus ST 2013
I walked around this Focus ST at the meet and the 18x9.5 setup immediately caught my eye. Running a +35 offset on all four corners creates a super aggressive stance that pushes the wheels right to the edge of the fenders. It totally transforms the look of the car.
The Option Lab R716s clear the stock ST calipers with plenty of room to spare. You do not need any spacers to get these to spin freely. The spoke design gives you a clean look that highlights the brakes perfectly.
Fitting a 9.5-inch wide wheel on the front of a Focus ST is no small feat. You have to dial in your coilovers to get the clearance just right. If your ride height is too soft, you will definitely kiss the fender liners on hard bumps.
We checked the hub bore and it fits the Focus hub like a glove. You do not need hub-centric rings if you order the correct spec from Option Lab. That keeps everything vibration-free at highway speeds.
The barrel depth on these R716s looks much deeper than the stock snowflake wheels. It adds a ton of visual weight to the bottom of the car. It makes the Focus look planted and ready to attack a mountain road.
You should watch out for the inner strut clearance. Running a 9.5-inch width with a +35 offset keeps the tire away from the spring perch. It is a tight fit, but it is the perfect balance for this chassis.
Make sure you perform an alignment immediately after installing these wheels. You need a little bit of negative camber to tuck the tires under the fenders. Without that adjustment, you will chew through your tires in a single season.
What We Recommend for Ford Focus ST 2013 Owners
If you want a daily driver setup, I suggest sticking to an 8.5-inch width. It makes finding tires easier and prevents any rubbing issues during daily errands. You get plenty of grip without sacrificing the ride quality.
For the track junkies, the 9.5-inch setup on the R716 is the gold standard. It allows for a wider tire patch which helps you pull harder out of tight corners. Just be ready to roll those front fenders if you want to go low.
Forget about staggered setups on the Focus ST. This car is front-wheel drive and needs a square rotation to handle properly. Keep the same size on all four corners so you can rotate your tires and save some cash.
Common mistakes usually involve picking the wrong offset. Anything higher than +40 might look tucked and sad, while anything lower than +30 will poke way too far. The +35 offset is the sweet spot for the R716.
Don't be afraid to experiment with tire sidewall profile. A 245 or 255 width tire creates a nice square look that protects the rim from curb rash. Skinny tires just look out of place on a wide wheel.
Style and Build Analysis
The black finish on these R716s looks lethal against the factory paint. It gives the Focus a dark, moody vibe that separates it from every other stock car at the show. The matte texture hides brake dust better than any glossy wheel I have tested.
Option Lab nailed the spoke geometry on this design. The straight, clean lines of the R716 complement the sharp, aggressive body panels of the 2013 Focus. It looks modern but still keeps that classic rally heritage alive.
The stance is arguably the best part of this entire build. The wheels fill the wheel arches perfectly, erasing that ugly factory gap. It makes the car look like it is hugging the pavement even when parked.
I have seen dozens of ST builds, but this one has the best proportions. The 18-inch diameter keeps the car nimble without looking like a wagon wheel. It is the perfect size to bridge the gap between form and function.
This car commands respect because it does not look overdone. Everything is cohesive, from the coilovers to the wheel specs. It is a masterclass in how to mod a platform without ruining the driving dynamics.
Why We Love This Build
I am obsessed with how this Focus sits. When the sun hits the black R716s, the wheels look deep and menacing under the fenders. The car looks like it is coiled and ready to pounce on the asphalt. It is the kind of build that makes you look back every single time you walk away.
We love the honesty of this setup. It uses a high-quality wheel to transform the ST into a proper street machine. The fitment is aggressive, the stance is dialed, and the road presence is undeniable. This is exactly how a Focus ST should look. Go get yourself a set.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Ford Focus ST 2013
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Option Lab R716
- Wheel Size: 18×9.5 / 18×9.5
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Black
- Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 235/40 25.4″x9.3″ / 235/40 25.4″x9.3″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Ford Focus ST owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-inch wheels fit my Ford Focus ST? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Ford Focus ST owners run 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
