About This Subaru Forester S 1999 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Subaru Forester S 1999 sits on a set of 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch Advan Racing RGIII wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Advan Racing for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Subaru Forester S builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Advan Racing RGIII creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Advan Racing RGIII on the Subaru Forester S 1999
I stood right next to this Forester at the show, and the Advan RGIII setup is pure gold. Running 18x8.5 with a +42 offset creates a flush look that most SF chassis builds simply miss. You get enough width to plant the tires without turning the car into a widebody nightmare.
The +42 offset keeps the face of these wheels sitting perfectly tucked under those factory arches. You won't find any awkward poking here, just clean lines that flow with the body. It gives the old school boxy shape a modern, aggressive edge that screams performance.
I checked the caliper clearance, and those iconic Advan spokes clear the stock hardware with ease. The RGIII design provides plenty of room behind the face, which is a massive relief for any SF owner. You aren't forcing these parts to fit; they feel like they belong here.
The hub bore on these fits the Subaru perfectly without needing any sketchy adapter plates. We love a direct bolt-on fitment that doesn't compromise the steering feel or wheel balance. Every turn feels sharp, precise, and planted on the asphalt.
Since this owner runs coilovers, the fender gap is non-existent. You have to watch the inner clearance, but the +42 offset keeps the barrel away from the coilover collars. It is a tight tolerance, but that is exactly where the magic happens.
Watch out for the rear inner fender liner if you decide to go any lower than this build. A little bit of heat and a gentle roll of the rear arches will save your sidewalls from any nasty scrubbing. Just take your time with the fenders to keep that factory paint intact.
The barrel lip depth on the RGIII provides that classic motorsport aesthetic we crave. It bridges the gap between a daily driver and a rally-bred monster. You see the engineering in every curve of these spokes.
What We Recommend for Subaru Forester S 1999 Owners
If you want this look, stick to an 18-inch diameter for the best visual balance on the SF chassis. Anything smaller looks lost, and anything larger ruins the ride quality that we actually enjoy. The 8.5-inch width is the absolute sweet spot for grip and stance.
Don't waste your time with staggered setups on an AWD Subaru. You need a square setup to keep your center diff happy and your tires wearing evenly. Staggered wheels on these cars are just a recipe for mechanical headaches.
Aim for an offset between +38 and +45 for the most headache-free experience. If you go lower than +35, you will spend your whole weekend rolling fenders and hunting for rubbing issues. Keep it simple and keep it functional.
We always suggest a light tire stretch if you are running wide rubber on a lowered car. It keeps the sidewall from catching the fender lip during hard cornering. A good performance tire with a slight taper makes all the difference in the world.
Avoid cheap spacers if you can possibly help it. They introduce vibration and put extra stress on your wheel bearings that this aging platform just does not need. Do it right the first time so you can drive the car hard without any worries.
Style and Build Analysis
The Silver finish on these Advan wheels is a masterclass in subtlety. It pops against the paint without being loud or tacky like some of the neon trends we see today. The light dances across those thin spokes, highlighting the intricate machining.
The RGIII is an iconic design that never feels dated. Its thin, multi-spoke layout emphasizes the race heritage of the Advan brand. It changes the entire silhouette of the Forester, turning a grocery-getter into a legit street weapon.
Proportions are everything, and this build hits the mark perfectly. The wheels fill the arches just enough to look purposeful while still leaving room for suspension travel. You can tell the owner cared about how the car moves, not just how it sits.
Compared to other builds that use heavy cast wheels, this setup feels light and nimble. The visual weight is distributed perfectly, making the car look smaller and more athletic. It looks ready for a mountain pass run at a moment's notice.
You can see the influence of Japanese car culture in every aspect of this Forester. It respects the roots of the platform while pushing it into a new era of aesthetic refinement. It is the kind of build that makes you look back every time you walk away.
Why We Love This Build
This Forester hits every single mark for a perfect street build. The way the Silver Advan RGIII wheels catch the morning light makes the whole car look like a crisp, professional machine. You can see the dedication in every bolt, and that is what we live for.
It occupies that beautiful space between aggressive and clean. When those wheels fill the arches and the light hits the metallic finish, it creates a visual impact that stops us in our tracks. It proves that you do not need over-the-top parts to make a massive statement.
We want to jump behind the wheel and carve up the nearest canyon road right now. This is exactly how a Subaru Forester should look when it grows up. Go get yourself a set of Advans and transform your ride today.
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: Subaru Forester S 1999
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Advan Racing RGIII
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 42 / 42
- Wheel Finish: Silver
- Tires: Falken Azenis FK510 245/40 25.7″x9.6″ / 245/40 25.7″x9.6″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Subaru Forester S 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 Subaru Forester S? 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 Subaru Forester S 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.
