[Kap]

Hi everyone!

I've been lurking in this forum for a while, but just joined to make my first post. I should be picking up my ST in about a month, but summer tires are far from ideal in NY in January, and I don't want to keep a dedicated set of winter wheels, so I'm opting for high performance all-seasons for this daily driver. I'm debating between just throwing a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires on the stock rims, or more likely switching to 16" rims, since most are reporting a noticeable improvement in ride quality without sacrificing too much in handling.

From what I've read, the stock rims have a 47.5mm offset. With aftermarket rims in this bolt pattern, the closest I've found to stock is 45mm, but there are quite a few at 42mm and even 40mm.

I understand what offset is, but how much would the driving dynamics change with 40mm offset rims? I don't want to stray too far from what the engineers intended.

Thanks!

 

[limbo]

You won't notice a difference from a 7mm offset change since the change will be minimal and the change will be the same front/rear.

 

[Firesail]

I'm currently running wheels w/ 40mm offset. No appreciable difference. 7mm is about 3/8". The difference moves the wheels out a little bit.

 

[Kap]

Thanks so much for the feedback, guys! The ones I'm leaning toward at the moment are 42mm, so I think I should be good. I'm aware that they'll put slightly more strain on the wheel bearings, but this is probably negligible, and I think the slight weight savings (compared to the stock wheels) should put less strain on the suspension overall.

 

[Zormecteon]

I have a set of Motegi wheels shod with Pilot Sport A3s sitting in the basement awaiting the arrival (12/31) of my FiST, in stock size. When I was waiting to order the car, I went to TIRE RACK and tried to pick wheels. Even though they had wheels for Fiestas, they had NONE listed as fitting the ST, until after they had a chance to test fit wheels to an actual-in-hand car. Almost overnight, they then had nearly 100 wheels listed as being available. The offsets are listed and none of them were stock, IRRC even Ford Racing wheels. As it turns out, nearly every wheel listed as fitting an ST will also fit a stock Focus, and the wheels I have on my present car would have made a straight swap for the ones on the new car. The present wheels are black though, and since I've ordered a silver car, I wanted silver or grey wheels.

 

[Kap]

^ Yeah, the way Tire Rack displays the wheel specs is awesome. Everything you need (size, bolt-pattern, offset, price, even backspacing and weight) is right there in one place without having to do any digging. Props on going with the Pilot Sport A/S 3s, by the way. It's hard to get "excited" about a tire (haha), but these really look ideal. I just wish that Michelin made them in a 16" size that was compatible with this car.

 

[dmondi12]

You won't notice a difference from a 7mm offset change since the change will be minimal and the change will be the same front/rear.

bumping a semi-old thread - so you say that a 7mm change is minimal per side, what do you (or anyone) think about a 14mm change? There's a set 17x7 et35 that im dying for and thats the only offset available. Couldn't find a whole lotta info but it also seems like it should change any driving dynamic.

 

[limbo]

I am running x 7 + 40 and 225 tires. Fit is good. You can go x7 +35 with 215 or 205 with no fitment problems.

You will increase overall track width but it will be the same increase all around so you should not feel a balance change. I went 17mm different on my s2000 and didn't notice a difference (obv different car but I don't see an issue)

 

[dmondi12]

I am running x 7 + 40 and 225 tires. Fit is good. You can go x7 +35 with 215 or 205 with no fitment problems.

You will increase overall track width but it will be the same increase all around so you should not feel a balance change. I went 17mm different on my s2000 and didn't notice a difference (obv different car but I don't see an issue)

Thats what i figured i just need a little reassurance sometimes. Usually on my cars i like to only buy OEM wheels so ive never deviated from the stock offset before, altho i understand how the measurements work.

 

[pappi16]

Ive seen a couple of rims 17x8 et 35 and they're said to be FiST figment. Any feedback on this size?