About This Ford Focus ST 2017 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Ford Focus ST 2017 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 2017
I walked around this ST at the show and the fitment immediately grabbed my attention. The 18x8.5 Option Lab R716s sit perfectly flush with the fenders. That 40 offset is the magic number for this chassis.
We see a lot of guys struggle with the front struts on these Focus models. With this width and offset, you get just enough clearance to avoid rubbing the factory dampers. You keep the steering sharp without losing your mind to fender liner carnage.
The R716 design offers massive clearance for the stock ST brakes. You do not need spacers to clear those front calipers, which keeps the scrub radius exactly where Ford intended. It is a clean, bolt-on solution that performs as well as it looks.
Because the car sits on coilovers, the stance looks tight and aggressive. The wheel sits deep enough to avoid poke but wide enough to fill the arch properly. We always prefer this square setup for better rotation and easier tire rotation.
Pay close attention to your hub bore when you order these. You need to run the proper rings to ensure the wheels seat perfectly flat against the hub. Ignore this, and you will deal with a nasty vibration that ruins the drive.
The barrel design on the R716 is surprisingly deep for an 8.5-inch wheel. It gives the car a much meaner profile than the stock snowflakes ever could. It really defines the side profile of this hot hatch.
If you slam your coils, watch the rear fenders on big bumps. We noticed just a hair of clearance, so a slight roll or a stiffer dampening setting makes a world of difference. It is a small price to pay for this level of poke.
What We Recommend for Ford Focus ST 2017 Owners
We always tell people to stick with the 18-inch diameter on the Focus ST. Moving to 19s kills your ride quality and makes the car feel sluggish in the turns. The 18x8.5 setup is the sweet spot for performance and aesthetics.
Avoid the temptation to run a staggered setup on this front-wheel-drive platform. You want a square 8.5-inch width all around to keep the handling predictable. Staggering just adds understeer and makes rotating your tires a total nightmare.
Aim for that 35 to 40 offset range if you want that flush look. Anything higher than 40 and the wheel looks tucked and weak. Anything lower than 35 and you will chew up your tires every time you hit a pothole.
Tire choice matters just as much as the wheel size. A 235/40R18 tire is the gold standard for this specific wheel width. It provides a nice square sidewall that protects the rim and gives you maximum contact patch.
Do not be that guy who buys cheap, heavy wheels just for the looks. The R716 is light enough to keep the unsprung weight low, which preserves the ST’s legendary flickability. You want wheels that improve the car, not just sit there as dead weight.
Style and Build Analysis
The Bronze finish against the body paint creates an incredible contrast. It looks subtle in the shade but pops like crazy under direct sunlight. This is exactly how you modify a modern hot hatch without making it look cheap.
Option Lab really nailed the spoke geometry on the R716. The lines are sharp and angular, which matches the aggressive body lines of the 2017 ST. It creates a cohesive look that feels like a factory performance option.
I love how the wheels change the entire silhouette of the car. The stance is lowered enough to eliminate that nasty factory wheel gap, but the car still looks functional. It is a race-inspired look that still works for a daily commute.
Compared to other builds we feature, this one stands out because of the restraint. The owner did not go overboard with crazy camber or stretched tires. Everything is measured, calculated, and executed to perfection.
The road presence of this car is undeniable. It commands respect without being flashy or obnoxious. It looks like a car that gets driven hard and maintained with genuine love.
Why We Love This Build
This Focus ST is everything we want in a weekend warrior. The Bronze R716s catch the morning light and give the car a muscular, athletic edge that the stock rollers simply lack. It fills the wheel wells perfectly, creating a low, mean profile that screams for a canyon run.
We love this build because it feels authentic and honest. It is a masterclass in how small, smart changes elevate a platform to a whole new level. When you see this thing parked at a meet, you cannot help but walk over and study the details.
This car is pure inspiration for anyone building their own hot hatch. You should stop dreaming and start bolting on parts that actually matter. Go grab a set of these wheels and change the game.
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 2017
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Option Lab R716
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 40 / 40
- Wheel Finish: Bronze
- Tires: Kumho Solus TA71 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 18×8.5 / 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.
