About This Scion FR-S Base 2013 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Scion FR-S Base 2013 sits on a set of 17×9 / 17×9-inch Fifteen52 Tarmac wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Fifteen52 for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Scion FR-S Base builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Fifteen52 Tarmac creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Fifteen52 Tarmac on the Scion FR-S Base 2013
I finally got eyes on this FR-S last weekend, and the Fifteen52 Tarmac setup is pure business. The 17x9 square configuration fills those arches exactly how a track-focused street car should. You get a meaty footprint that completely changes the attitude of the chassis.
That +40 offset is the magic number for the ZN6 platform. It pushes the wheels right to the edge of the factory fenders without requiring aggressive pulls. You get a nice, flush look that screams functionality.
Clearance is a non-issue with these 17s. The Tarmac design provides plenty of room for those stock calipers to breathe. I never worried about spoke contact or tight clearances during our test fit.
The hub bore sits perfectly, so you avoid those annoying vibrations at highway speeds. Fifteen52 knows their stuff, and the precision here shows. It bolts up like an OEM+ upgrade.
Lowering springs definitely tighten up the look. By dropping the ride height, you kill that factory wheel gap that plagues the stock FR-S. It gives the car a hunkered-down stance that looks ready to attack a mountain pass.
You need to watch out for the inner liner on full lock, though. With 9 inches of width, you might see a tiny rub if you run a beefy tire compound. Keep your alignment specs tight to stay clear of the plastic liners.
The barrel lip depth on the Tarmac looks deep enough to provide that rally-inspired vibe. These wheels feel sturdy and substantial in your hands. You aren't buying flimsy show wheels here; you are buying gear that handles abuse.
What We Recommend for Scion FR-S Base 2013 Owners
Stick to a square 17x9 setup if you actually drive your car. Staggered setups on an FR-S just ruin the neutral handling balance we all love. Keep the tire sizes identical at all four corners to make rotation easy.
Aim for offsets between +35 and +40. Anything lower than +35 starts poking too much, and you lose that clean, race-ready aesthetic. You want the tire to sit flush with the fender lip, not stick out like a truck.
Don't be afraid of a little bit of tire stretch, but don't go crazy. A 245/40/17 tire is the absolute sweet spot for a 9-inch wide wheel on this car. It provides a nice square sidewall that handles cornering forces without folding over.
Most guys mess up by buying wheels that are too narrow. A 7.5-inch wide wheel on an FR-S looks puny and weak. If you are going to spend the money, commit to a wider wheel that fills the space properly.
If you plan on slamming the car on coilovers, remember to account for camber. You will likely need adjustable control arms to dial in your fitment once the car is low. Never settle for a bad alignment just to make a wide wheel fit.
Style and Build Analysis
The Silver finish on these Tarmacs is a total classic move. It pops against the factory paint and gives the car a clean, professional aesthetic. It reminds me of the old-school rally machines that put Fifteen52 on the map.
That solid-face spoke design looks incredibly tough on the FR-S. It is a bold departure from the skinny, multi-spoke wheels everyone else runs. The Tarmac has a heavy, industrial presence that demands attention in the parking lot.
The proportions are spot on for a coupe this size. The 17-inch diameter keeps the car agile and prevents the ride from becoming harsh. It strikes the perfect balance between modern style and old-school performance cues.
Compared to other builds I see at local meets, this one stands out for its restraint. It doesn't need massive wings or fake carbon fiber to look fast. The wheels do all the heavy lifting for the aesthetic.
The way the light hits the silver paint makes the wheels look even wider than they are. When the car is rolling, the Tarmac design creates a solid disc of silver that looks fantastic. It is a timeless look that will never go out of style.
Why We Love This Build
I keep coming back to this car because it gets the fundamentals right. The Silver Fifteen52 Tarmacs catch the sunlight and emphasize the aggressive lines of the FR-S fenders. It fills the wheel arches with enough rubber to actually put power to the pavement. There is a raw, mechanical honesty to this build that makes me want to grab the keys and hit the canyon roads immediately.
This car stops us in our tracks because it looks like a proper driver’s machine. It isn't over-styled, and it isn't trying too hard to be something it isn't. It is just a well-sorted sports car wearing the perfect set of wheels.
Do yourself a favor and get this setup on your own FR-S. You will be glad you did.
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: Scion FR-S Base 2013
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Fifteen52 Tarmac
- Wheel Size: 17×9 / 17×9
- Offset: 40 / 40
- Wheel Finish: Silver
- Tires: Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 235/40 24.4″x9.3″ / 235/40 24.4″x9.3″
- Suspension: Lowering Springs
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Scion FR-S Base owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 17×9 / 17×9-inch wheels fit my Scion FR-S Base? 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 Scion FR-S Base owners run 17×9 / 17×9-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
