Question: Lug bolt pattern for US 2004 STi vs 2005 Sti.

Are you sure they were off of an 04 STi? The 05 is supposed to be the same

They're different. '04s are 5x100, '05s are 5x114.3.

Don't let anyone tell you different :)

Cheers, Jason (remove ... to reply) Video & Gaming:

Yes. PCD is bolt circle diameter (I forget what the P really stands for), or the second number in 5x100. The '05s have a bigger PCD - 114.3. Both have five lugs, hence 5xPCD

Any idea why they changed this?

-Matt

They switched to wider wheels as well - 17x8, rather than 17x7.5. I suspect they felt the larger bolt circle would provide a bit of added robustness to the hubs and wheels.

The net impact is that us '04 STis are left with relatively few choices of wheels in which the offset and spoke design will clear the brembos, and it's now a dead-end line to bother making more. Meanwhile, the '05 guys get screwed with very poor aftermarket coverage of their bolt pattern in subaru-specific offsets for the time being.

Oh well. I'm happy with my sets of wheels :)

From the press release: "A unique wheel mounting and bearing design produces optimum strength and stability between axle and wheel, raising the cornering threshold." Doesn't seem like something they'd change for little reason, so long term we may see all models go this way...

Cheers, Jason (remove ... to reply) Video & Gaming:

I think the wheel mounting has always been "unique". I know from my recent two flat tires ordeal that spares from several other makes and models will not fit.

-Matt

Given the expense for BBS to retool for a new wheel and for Subaru to carry a spares inventory of two sets of wheels, rotors etc. , I, too, can't believe Subaru made this change without reason. I'd just love to know the reason!

It could be a subtle improvement in 'cornering threshold' but the evil in me suspects warrantee returns due to some design weakness.

Speculation is fun, that's my moto!

Philip

Who knows...

Are the WRX wheel sizes still the same? Maybe next year, the WRX will bump up to a 17x7 wheel.

I finally put some 17x7s on my 04, and yowsers...no, I don't need to be thinking about suspension *anything*, not for a while. The immediate need became "how do I secure all this crap in the trunk", which suddenly became extremely mobile, on every drive.

World of difference to those tire/wheel sizes.

bigger wheel hub bearings.

a common point of failure on subies pushed hard in the corners.