About This Subaru WRX Premium 2017 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Subaru WRX Premium 2017 sits on a set of 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-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 2017
I walked around this VA-chassis WRX for twenty minutes straight at the show. The 18x9.5 setup fills these fenders exactly how a street-driven car should. We see people struggle with fitment, but this +35 offset nails the flush look perfectly.
The R716 features a smart spoke design that clears the factory four-pot calipers with zero drama. I checked the gap between the spokes and the caliper face, and there is plenty of room for cooling. You do not need spacers here, which keeps the scrub radius exactly where Subaru intended.
Because the car sits on coilovers, the geometry stays tight and responsive. The 9.5-inch width means you have a wide contact patch for those twisty backroads. You get that meaty look without resorting to aggressive camber that ruins your daily commute.
I looked closely at the hub bore during the walkaround. These wheels seat perfectly on the Subaru hub without needing finicky rings. It makes for a vibration-free ride that you can trust at highway speeds.
The barrel lip on the R716 offers just enough depth to catch the light. It gives the wheel a three-dimensional feel that flat-faced wheels totally lack. It makes the car look wider and more planted from every single angle.
Watch your inner fender liners if you slam the car too low. While the +35 offset is aggressive, it stays tucked enough to avoid major rubbing on the plastic clips. I recommend a slight roll if you plan to run wide performance tires.
We love how this setup balances form and function. It transforms the WRX from a standard rally-inspired sedan into a proper street machine. This is how you build a VA chassis right.
What We Recommend for Subaru WRX Premium 2017 Owners
Stop hunting for random sizes and stick to the 18-inch diameter. It gives you the best tire options for performance without killing the ride quality. We recommend 18x9.5 as the absolute gold standard for this body style.
Aim for an offset between +35 and +38 for that perfect flush aesthetic. Anything higher than +40 starts to look sunken and weak under the fenders. You want the wheels to sit proud of the strut housing without poking out like a cartoon.
Avoid staggered setups on your AWD Subaru at all costs. You will cook your center differential faster than you can say transmission rebuild. Always run a square setup with matching tire diameters at every corner.
When picking tires, aim for a 255/35 or 265/35 profile. You get enough sidewall to protect those expensive rims from potholes while maintaining sharp turn-in. A 265 width looks aggressive, but you might need a minor fender roll to clear the metal.
Do not cheap out on lug nuts when you bolt these on. Get a high-quality extended set so you do not scratch the lug holes during your first rotation. It is the small details that keep your wheels looking fresh for years.
Style and Build Analysis
That Bronze finish is the star of the show here. It pops against the paint and gives the car a sophisticated, custom vibe. It avoids the tired look of standard silver or black wheels.
The R716 design is pure aggression. The split-spoke pattern draws your eye directly to the center of the wheel. It looks fast even when the car sits completely still in the parking lot.
Proportions make or break a build, and this one hits the mark. The stance is low, mean, and functional. It looks like a car that actually gets driven hard on the weekends.
I have seen a lot of WRX builds, but this one feels cohesive. Many owners throw on too many mismatched parts, but this owner kept it clean. The wheels complement the aggressive lines of the VA front end perfectly.
This car holds its own next to much more expensive machinery. It proves that you do not need a widebody kit to create a stunning street presence. It is all about choosing the right wheel and dialing in the height.
Why We Love This Build
I cannot stop staring at this setup. The way the bronze finish catches the sunset makes the whole car glow. It fits the fenders so tightly that it looks like a factory prototype that Subaru was too scared to build.
We love builds that make us want to reach for our wallets. Seeing this WRX makes me want to pull my own car into the shop and order a set of R716s immediately. It is simple, effective, and undeniably cool.
This is exactly the kind of car we started WheelFront to celebrate. It captures the heart of the tuning scene without losing its daily driver soul. Bolt these on and never look back.
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 2017
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Option Lab R716
- Wheel Size: 18×9.5 / 18×9.5
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Bronze
- Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 265/35 25.3″x10.4″ / 265/35 25.3″x10.4″
- 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 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-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 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
