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 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-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 up to this Focus ST and immediately noticed the stance. Running 18x8.5 Option Lab R716s all around creates a perfect, balanced look. The +44 offset is the magic number for the MK3 chassis. It pushes the wheels right to the edge of the fenders without looking like a poke-fest.
The 8.5-inch width provides enough meat for a proper tire. You get a nice, flush profile that doesn't scream for massive spacers. The hub bore matches up perfectly, so you aren't fighting with annoying centering rings. It is a true bolt-on experience.
Let's talk about the caliper clearance. These ST brakes can be picky, but the R716 design swallows them easily. The spokes curve away from the hub, giving you plenty of breathing room for those front rotors. You won't need to shave anything down to make these clear.
The barrel lip depth on these wheels adds a surprising amount of character to the ST. It feels substantial rather than flat. I love how the design balances that racing aesthetic with a street-friendly profile. It looks aggressive while parked, but it handles road imperfections like a champ.
Because the owner runs air suspension, the geometry changes constantly. At ride height, the fitment looks purposeful and clean. When they air out, the wheels tuck neatly inside the wheel wells. You get the best of both worlds with this setup.
Watch out for rubbing if you drive low on static coilovers. With air, you just clear the fenders by a hair at your lowest setting. Check your front liner clips if you plan on dropping it this far. A little plastic trimming prevents a nasty scrap sound on hard corners.
What We Recommend for Ford Focus ST 2013 Owners
Stick to the 18-inch diameter for this car. It is the gold standard for the MK3 Focus. Anything larger ruins the ride quality and looks cartoonish. You want to maintain that hot hatch agility we all love.
Keep your offset between +38 and +45 for the best results. Anything lower than +38 will push the tires into the fender metal. Anything higher than +45 starts to look sunken and weak. +44 is genuinely the sweet spot for a clean look.
Always go with a square setup. Staggered wheels on a front-wheel-drive platform make zero sense. You want to be able to rotate your tires to extend their life. A square 18x8.5 setup keeps the handling predictable and sharp.
Do not go crazy with tire stretch. Stick to a 235/40/18 or a 245/35/18 tire size. A 235 provides a nice square shoulder that protects your rim lips from curbs. It also keeps your speedometer accurate and your grip levels high.
Avoid cheap spacers if you can help it. If you choose the right offset from the start, you won't need them. Extra hardware just introduces more places for vibration and failure. Buy the right offset once and save your headache for the track.
Style and Build Analysis
The white finish on these R716s pops against the paint. It gives the ST a rally-inspired vibe that is hard to ignore. White wheels are a bold choice, but they work perfectly on this build. They look fast even when the car sits completely still.
The spoke pattern on the Option Lab R716 is incredibly angular and sharp. It cuts through the visual noise of the Focus body lines. The design feels modern yet pays homage to classic Japanese racing wheels. It balances the boxy nature of the hatchback perfectly.
Proportions define a great build, and this one hits the mark. The wheels do not overpower the car, nor do they look lost in the arches. Everything feels intentional and proportional. It is the exact stance this car deserved from the factory.
Compared to other STs I have seen, this one feels more cohesive. A lot of guys slap on generic black wheels and call it a day. This build uses color to draw your eye directly to the rolling gear. It is refreshing to see someone actually make a stylistic statement.
The road presence is undeniable. You see the white wheels rotating from a block away. They catch the light and create a strobe effect that demands attention. It is a masterclass in how to upgrade a factory look without losing the car's soul.
Why We Love This Build
Seeing this Focus ST in person reminds me why I love the car scene. The white Option Lab R716s don't just sit on the car; they transform it. The way the bright finish catches the afternoon sun makes the entire build glow. It fills those wheel arches perfectly, giving the ST a planted, hungry stance that begs for a canyon road. Every time the owner airs up, the car looks ready to pounce.
We see thousands of cars, but this one stops us in our tracks because it gets the fundamentals right. It is clean, functional, and visually loud in all the right ways. This is exactly how you build a Focus ST to stand out. 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: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 44 / 44
- Wheel Finish: White
- Tires: Falken Azenis FK510 225/35 24.2″x8.9″ / 225/35 24.2″x8.9″
- Suspension: Air Suspension
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 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-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 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
