2014 Forester redesign (merged thread)

[bashfulbernie]

The 2014 XT has 12.4" front brakes.

[waggaclint]

Originally Posted by dawgMobile

I'm not immediately in market. I wouldn't be surprised if the x-mode migrates down model in 2015 or 16.

The X-mode is going to be standard across the whole range on all CVT models in Aust hey..

[waggaclint]

Originally Posted by bashfulbernie

16" are not likely to fit around the front brakes on the XT.
If they do, I will swap with my 2006.
I want smaller wheels so I can go skinnier on the tires, and have more choices.
It will cost me more if I sell the "take off" tires rather than just keeping the 18"

I'm thinking maybe even the base models might have the bigger brakes as well as the New base 2.0i comes standard with 17in steel rims hey...

[bashfulbernie]

The base model brakes are less than 12", so 16" rims will fit.
Most wheels need to be 4" larger than the brake diameter to clear the calipers.

[lfdal]

Originally Posted by bashfulbernie

16" are not likely to fit around the front brakes on the XT.
If they do, I will swap with my 2006.
I want smaller wheels so I can go skinnier on the tires, and have more choices.
It will cost me more if I sell the "take off" tires rather than just keeping the 18"

At least on my 2011FXT I can run 16 inch rims. In fact I am currently running 16 inch steel rims with snow tires. The offset is slightly off IIRC as I originally bought the rims for my 2008 OBW.

[lfdal]

Originally Posted by dirteemac

That's good. I'd rather have a Japan-built forester than an American made one.

Interesting observation as the build quality of all three of our Outbacks has been substantially better than my 3 Foresters. The build quality of my 4th OBW, the 2011 3.6R, was excellent but it had a couple of serious issues not related to how it was built.

[lfdal]

Not a fan of 18 inch wheels with low profile tires. In an urban area, with potholes and curbs, low profile tires tend to "break" or get rim rash really easy. If I go that route (getting a 2014) I may ask the dealership to keep the rims and mount the 17's from my 2011 FXT.

Just looking at the condition of the 18" rims with low profile tires on my brother-in-law's 2011 Sonata turbo and sister-in-law's 2012 Veloster turbo make me cringe. Really low profile tires do nothing IMO for daily-driver ride quality. If I was tracking it, sure, but that's not going to happen.

[cris]

well, i did some calculating and conservative estimating. from what i can tell the new forester will fit up to 28.5 inch diameter 225 width tires comfortably without any modifications... i am basing this on 225 60 18 tires, which are just one profile size up from XT.


so for the offroad crowd that means up to 225 60 18 for stock XT, 225 65 17 for stock 2.5, or 225 70 16 for swaps (if they clear)

225 70 17 and 225 75 16 will likely require some minor cutting but should clear the strut barely while 225 65 18 might or might not rub strut

[dirteemac]

Originally Posted by lfdal

Not a fan of 18 inch wheels with low profile tires. In an urban area, with potholes and curbs, low profile tires tend to "break" or get rim rash really easy. If I go that route (getting a 2014) I may ask the dealership to keep the rims and mount the 17's from my 2011 FXT.

Just looking at the condition of the 18" rims with low profile tires on my brother-in-law's 2011 Sonata turbo and sister-in-law's 2012 Veloster turbo make me cringe. Really low profile tires do nothing IMO for daily-driver ride quality. If I was tracking it, sure, but that's not going to happen.

I wouldn't exactly call a 225/55/18 tire low profile. Even the 235/45/18's I have on my xt seem to have a decent amount of pothole absorbing meat on them.

[inamik75]

Originally Posted by bashfulbernie

I will definitely be dumping the 18" for 17".

+1
firstly the 18s are ugly, and I don't buy a forester for performance,(I would pick the X3 for that) but ability for light offroading and dealing with uneven, potholed roads and go anywhere attitude with proven reliability.

[npaladin2000]

Originally Posted by inamik75

+1
firstly the 18s are ugly, and I don't buy a forester for performance,(I would pick the X3 for that) but ability for light offroading and dealing with uneven, potholed roads and go anywhere attitude with proven reliability.

Wonder how much dealers will charge for the 17 inch "option" on the XT. :)

[Doug]

For the XT, I'm actually looking at 235 55 18 high performance all seasons (I could go with 235 50 18, but its rolling diameter is actually further from the OEM tires, and I'll appreciate the extra sidewall). I rarely venture off pavement these days, and even more rarely off dirt/gravel, so I'd get much more use out of a good street tire than an AT tire.

Conti ExtremeContacts are always an option, as well as General G-Max (I've had luck with General UHPs in the past)... the Contis are a steep $194/tire on tirerack though.

Or I may consider swapping out the 18" rims for the 17" Rotas that are currently wrapped in my summer rubber...

[Doug]

Originally Posted by inamik75

+1
firstly the 18s are ugly, and I don't buy a forester for performance,(I would pick the X3 for that) but ability for light offroading and dealing with uneven, potholed roads and go anywhere attitude with proven reliability.

The X3 will easily cost $10-12k more in the US vs a Forester XT, so that is not really even a consideration for most buying a Forester, otherwise their budget would take them elsewhere.

Considering 99.9% of the time I don't need the ground clearance of the Forester, if I could get a quick AWD wagon with decent cargo space in the US for around $30k, I would. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be an option in this market. To your point, if I was looking for performance and had an X3 budget, I'd probably instead look at a 328i xDrive (sacrificing some useable cargo space vs the XT) or the new Audi Allroad (shop time may be a consideration there, however).

[inamik75]

Originally Posted by Doug

The X3 will easily cost $10-12k more in the US vs a Forester XT, so that is not really even a consideration for most buying a Forester, otherwise their budget would take them elsewhere.

Considering 99.9% of the time I don't need the ground clearance of the Forester, if I could get a quick AWD wagon with decent cargo space in the US for around $30k, I would. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be an option in this market. To your point, if I was looking for performance and had an X3 budget, I'd probably instead look at a 328i xDrive (sacrificing some useable cargo space vs the XT) or the new Audi Allroad (shop time may be a consideration there, however).

Interesting choice looking to replace my SH was dead set on the X3(it's breathtaking drive for an SUV or is it SAV) but waiting for the SJ XT for it would be better value and won't treat it with gloves like a Bimmer. With softer materials, more tech thats standard I think the SJ could give the Germans a run for their money.

[lfdal]

215-40/18's on the Veloster, 225-45/18's on the Sonata. Those are the low profiles I was referring to. I agree a 55 isn't a terribly low profile tire. I've seen what their rims look like and I'll stick with my 17's, more margin for forgiveness.