About This Subaru WRX Premium 2016 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Subaru WRX Premium 2016 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 Subaru WRX Premium 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 Subaru WRX Premium 2016
I walked around this WRX for twenty minutes just to see how these Option Lab R716s sit. The 18x8.5 setup is a smart choice for the VA chassis. It keeps the steering sharp without adding unnecessary weight to the hubs.
We see an offset of +35 on all four corners. This pushes the wheel face perfectly flush with the factory fenders. It eliminates that sunken look that plagues so many stock Subarus.
Clearance around the front brake calipers is a total non-issue. The spoke design on the R716 arches outward just enough to clear the Brembos or the stock floating calipers. You gain plenty of breathing room for track days.
The hub bore fits the Subaru 56.1mm center perfectly. I hate running hub-centric rings if I can avoid them, so this plug-and-play fitment makes me smile. It keeps the rotation true and vibration-free at highway speeds.
The barrel depth on these wheels adds a nice visual punch without compromising structural integrity. It gives the car a muscular stance that hints at rally heritage. You get a deep, aggressive look while staying well within the fender liners.
Running coilovers changes the game for this specific fitment. We dialed in a modest drop to close the wheel gap and sharpen the roll center. It brings the top of the tire right up to the fender edge.
Watch out for rubbing if you decide to go wider on your tire profile. At this offset, the inner fender liner is your only real enemy during a hard corner. A quick heat gun treatment to the plastic liner solves that problem instantly.
What We Recommend for Subaru WRX Premium 2016 Owners
If you own a VA WRX, stop buying wheels that look like stock replicas. We recommend the 18-inch diameter as the absolute sweet spot for this generation. It balances tire availability with the bulky look of the fender flares.
Stick to a square setup like this build. Rotating your tires is the only way to keep your AWD system happy and your wallet full. Staggered setups on a WRX look cool, but they usually destroy your center differential over time.
Aim for offsets between +35 and +38 for that perfect flush aesthetic. Anything higher than +40 starts to tuck too far inside the wheel well for my taste. Anything lower than +30 will turn your fenders into bacon if you hit a pothole.
Do not cheap out on tires if you are lowering the car on coilovers. A good 245/40/18 tire gives you the best grip and prevents excessive stretch. You want that sidewall to look meaty, not like a rubber band.
Avoid massive spacers at all costs. If you buy the right offset initially, you never need to compromise your wheel bearing longevity with spacers. Build the car right the first time and you will have zero headaches later.
Style and Build Analysis
The white finish on these R716s pops like nothing else against the paint. It creates a stark, high-contrast look that screams performance. It reminds me of the classic rally cars that dominated the nineties.
The spoke design is angular and purposeful. It flows with the sharp body lines of the 2016 WRX. You can tell Option Lab studied the geometry of the VA chassis before casting these wheels.
Proportions are everything in the car scene. By filling the arches properly, the car looks like it sits lower than it actually does. The visual weight shifts downward, giving the WRX a grounded, predatory appearance.
This build stands out from the sea of black and bronze wheels we see at every meet. White wheels require more frequent cleaning, but the payoff is worth the scrub time. It shows everyone that you actually drive and maintain your machine.
Compared to other builds, this one feels refined rather than overdone. It lacks the gaudy camber and fake poke that ruin daily drivability. It is a true street-spec weapon that turns heads for the right reasons.
Why We Love This Build
Seeing this WRX roll into the lot is a genuine highlight of my week. The way the bright white paint catches the late afternoon light makes the whole car glow. The R716s fill those wide arches with such authority that it makes the stock wheels look like toys. Every line on the car seems to point toward the wheels, creating a cohesive and aggressive profile that feels truly complete.
This is exactly how a modern rally-bred sedan should look when it hits the pavement. It is clean, functional, and looks ready to tear up a mountain pass at a moment's notice. You need this setup on your own car if you want to make a real statement. This build is perfection on four wheels.
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 WRX Premium 2016
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Option Lab R716
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: White
- Tires: Barum Bravus 3 245/40 25.7″x9.6″ / 245/40 25.7″x9.6″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Subaru WRX Premium 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 WRX Premium? 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 WRX Premium 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.
