Wheel Size on 2008??

[04MSM]

One of my friends just got a new 2008 Outback 2.5 Limited. It has 17" wheels, and the dealer is telling him that the 16" will not fit, that it has bigger brakes than the 2.5i. Tire rack lists the 16" as an option, and I have 16" snows on my 05 2.5XT. Did they really change the brake size between the regular Outback and the Limted in 08??

[Bitumen Bullet]

My '08 3.0R L.L. Bean came with 17" and I've put on 16" for winter no problem.

It is common to have retail shops not want to change anything but I would have thought the dealer would know.

If Subaru had put larger brakes on one Outback model but not the others they would be braggin about it.

http://www.subaru.com/shop/specifica...ry=PERFORMANCE

[Lee`]

Subaru, in fact, recommends that when going with snow tires to downsize to a 16" tire.

[dsilby]

Originally posted by 04MSM
One of my friends just got a new 2008 Outback 2.5 Limited. It has 17" wheels, and the dealer is telling him that the 16" will not fit, that it has bigger brakes than the 2.5i. Tire rack lists the 16" as an option, and I have 16" snows on my 05 2.5XT. Did they really change the brake size between the regular Outback and the Limted in 08??

Yeah, the Dealer is either an idiot or being a jerk, I'm going to go with a little of both.
The Outback Basic comes with 16's and it's the exact same car as the 2.5i with the 17's. Go ahead and do 16's if you want, no problem there.

[04MSM]

"Yeah, the Dealer is either an idiot or being a jerk, I'm going to go with a little of both.
The Outback Basic comes with 16's and it's the exact same car as the 2.5i with the 17's. Go ahead and do 16's if you want, no problem there."


That is what I thought, but both the Dealer and a local Tire Dealer (Les Schaub) said that the Limited had bigger brakes than the regular 2.5i. Tire Rack says the 16" will fit. I don't know which way my friend will end up going.

[dsilby]

Originally posted by 04MSM
"Yeah, the Dealer is either an idiot or being a jerk, I'm going to go with a little of both.
The Outback Basic comes with 16's and it's the exact same car as the 2.5i with the 17's. Go ahead and do 16's if you want, no problem there."


That is what I thought, but both the Dealer and a local Tire Dealer (Les Schaub) said that the Limited had bigger brakes than the regular 2.5i. Tire Rack says the 16" will fit. I don't know which way my friend will end up going.

I'm not responsible for anything here, but let me say this. There is no difference between the Outback Basic and the Outback 2.5i in the wheel wells. And DEFINITELY no difference between the 2.5i and 2.5i Limited. It's the EXACT same car, except for these differences. I just copied and pasted from Subaru.com.

Limited Package (Optional $3,800)
* Standard 4-speed adaptive electronic direct-control automatic transmission with SPORTSHIFT® manual control
* Leather-trimmed upholstery
* Panoramic tilt/sliding dual-panel moonroof
* 100-watt 6-speaker audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, MP3/WMA capability and SRS WOW™ 3D audio enhancement
* Dual-zone automatic digital climate control system
* Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel with cruise control buttons
* Leather-wrapped automatic transmission shifter handle with woodgrain-patterned inlay
* Titanium-metallic trim with woodgrain-patterned accents
* Body-color door handles and side mirrors


If Subaru put larger brakes on, they would totally advertise that and make it a selling point. The 16's will fit, there's no doubt. This entire "larger brake" phenomenon is beyond me, I have no idea where they're getting it from. You can tell "Les Schaub" to go "Les Shove it"

[WtMtns]

Why don't you call the dealer parts department and get the price on brake shoes and rotors? Then ask if they are the same parts as the 2.5i and Basic. If they are, then everything is the same on all three cars.