Subaru Forester

**Calistro** · December 24th, 2012 12:46 PM

Thanks! I got an Ice silver. Would have preferred dark gray but went more practical hahah. Re tint, actually, thinking more along other variants of Solarguard. Haven't convinced myself on expensive tints. Rather put the funds on wheels, better brake pads or audio upgrade . =)

Anyone changed to 17s or 18s? How would that affect the performance re FC, comfort and engine respsonse? Thanks in advance!

**Calistro** · December 24th, 2012 12:57 PM

double post

**tr1ck5h07** · December 24th, 2012 02:04 PM

Upsizing your wheels will result in the following:

Pros:
Improved grip if the new set has a wider track
Improved looks

Cons:
Harsher ride due to harder sidewalls
Worse FC due to weight and increased rolling resistance

**April_Ryan** · December 24th, 2012 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Calistro

Anyone changed to 17s or 18s? How would that affect the performance re FC, comfort and engine respsonse? Thanks in advance!

The XT has 17s. Looks better IMHO. I don't think there'll be much of a change in FC or comfort. I am no expert Te engines so I will leave that to the others.

I was actually thinking of buying the complete set of XT wheels and mags in case an XT owner decides to sell. I'm sure there are a few in the Subaru forums (subaruclub ph and Subarusociety) who changed OEM wheels. But I want to upgrade my HU first

and maybe change the wheels/mags when it's time to change wheels in 3-4 years.

**MUTTLEY** · December 24th, 2012 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by tr1ck5h07

Upsizing your wheels will result in the following:

Pros:
Improved grip if the new set has a wider track
Improved looks

Cons:
Harsher ride due to harder sidewalls
Worse FC due to weight and increased rolling resistance

but if you choose a lighter wheel, say PRODRIVE, i tell you the stock tire and wheel is so much heavier! hehehe sobrang mahal nga lang

**desmosedici** · December 24th, 2012 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Calistro

Thanks! I got an Ice silver. Would have preferred dark gray but went more practical hahah. Re tint, actually, thinking more along other variants of Solarguard. Haven't convinced myself on expensive tints. Rather put the funds on wheels, better brake pads or audio upgrade . =)

Anyone changed to 17s or 18s? How would that affect the performance re FC, comfort and engine respsonse? Thanks in advance!

Congrats Calistro. I invested in Huper Optik tint to protect the leather seats and the dashboard from direct sunlight. Still gets hot if you park under the sun but at a level far lower than I'm used to with 3M tinted cars. I'd say the Huper Optik with its superior heat rejection, was a worthy investment even at 22T.

I've also bought stuff to upgrade the brakes (steel hoses, DOT4 fluid, Endless pads) but haven't installed them yet. The brakes performed well going down Kennon road yesterday so I am not in a hurry to install.

Sayang if you missed on the AVT sat/nav freebie, as the GPS function is really helpful and the head unit looks and sounds decent too.

Changing to 18's will probably improve handling at the expense of comfort. I don't think engine response will be affected as long as you keep overall tire diameter unaltered (by lowering tire aspect ratio), which you would want to. FC can improve if the 18" rims you change to are lighter and you retain overall tire diameter.

**Calistro** · December 24th, 2012 05:01 PM

Thanks everyone! I was thinking of upsizing to 17s just to improve the looks. Would the upsize from 16s to 17s be that harsh on the ride? Sana pwede din ito i-test drive =) I've also thought of buying XT rims from those who plan to sell them off, but it's not that important of an upgrade, if you can call it that as the handling is more than enough for my driving.

Regarding brakes. just felt like the XS could use better brakes compared to a cx5 when I test drove it. Not like I'm going to race, but a less spongy feel is more than welcomed. Read somewhere that by changing the stock brake pads could lessen the spongy feel so that's next on the wishlist heheh.

I somehow still have gotten that AVT, thankfully, so if plans push through, might be the speakers that are to go.

Will think things through when I get the unit this week.

*desmosedici, can you share what variant of Huper Optik did you have installed? Just curious

**number001** · December 24th, 2012 07:05 PM

^For Huper Optik, Ceramic series costs around 24-25K tinting for all windows incl the sunroof. I got C20 for front and rear. C15 for sides. C70 for sunroof.

**Happyart** · December 24th, 2012 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by number001

^For Huper Optik, Ceramic series costs around 24-25K tinting for all windows incl the sunroof. I got C20 for front and rear. C15 for sides. C70 for sunroof.

It would be cheaper kung di na kasali ang sunroof. Tinting it will defeat its purpose.

**number001** · December 24th, 2012 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by Happyart

It would be cheaper kung di na kasali ang sunroof. Tinting it will defeat its purpose.

Yeah cheaper by 2,000. But given the size of the Forester's sunroof, its worth the additional cost.

The tinting is not a dark shade tint. It is a clear tint like V-Kool. The purpose of the tint is to block sun / heat radiation.