Subaru ZC6/Gen 1 BRZ Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

If you’re looking for fitment advice for your 2012 - 2020 Gen 1 Subaru BRZ, you’ve come to the right place. Our BRZ Fitment Guide contains tailored information for a wide range of wheel and tire setups specific to the BRZ. With wheel fitments ranging from our 17x8” ET40 OEM+ option to the popular 18x9.5” ET40, our Fitment Guide will have a solution for your needs. As enthusiasts ourselves, we’re mindful of the unique needs that each chassis presents when attempting to optimize wheel fitment and this vehicle is no exception. All of our BRZ wheels are designed to clear Performance Package Brembo brakes. We also offer insight on which offset is ideal to clear the larger Performance Package suspension components without spacers. Our Gen 1 Subaru BRZ Fitment Guide goes into great detail on exactly what modifications are needed to achieve the exact fitment you’re looking for. We have a wide variety of strong, lightweight wheel designs to choose from. Interested in Forged Wheels? Check out our VS-5RS and SM-10RS. Flow Formed Wheels? Our ARC-8 is the one that started it all. If you’re looking for Gen 2 BRZ fitment notes, check out our Subaru Gen 2 BRZ Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide!

Brake Clearance Information

In the engineering phase of wheel development we 3D scan factory brakes and review 2D aftermarket brake templates in order to optimize our barrel profiles and spoke curvatures. As a result, our wheels offer massive brake clearance so you can run the smallest possible wheel diameter.

*All APEX 86/BRZ wheels were designed to clear the factory Performance Package Brembo Brakes.

These bolt-on wheel fitments are ideal for enthusiasts enjoying their Gen 1 86/BRZ day-to-day on the street, and they are typically paired with all-season or performance oriented summer tires. These wheel and tire configurations will improve the appearance and performance of the car without requiring modifications to the factory suspension or alignment. Just bolt-on and enjoy!

While these wheel fitments can be used for track days and AutoX, performance will be left on the table. Drivers that prioritize performance should review our Performance Street & Track and/or Hardcore Track & Race sections below.

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 17x8" ET40
• • Available in: VS-5RS, SM-10RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 225/45-17
• • Direct fit
  • Ultra High Performance All-Season: No options currently available
  • Max Performance Summer: No options currently available
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama AD08R (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), Nankang NS-2R (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Toyo RA1 (100 TW)
• Wider Alternative: Front & Rear: 235/40-17
• • Direct fit
  • Ultra High Performance All-Season: No options currently available
  • Max Performance Summer: No options currently available
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama AD08R (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), Nankang NS-2R (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Toyo RA1 (100 TW)

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 17x8.5” ET44
• • Available in VS-5RS
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 235/40-17
• • Direct Fit
  • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Toyo Proxes Sport A/S (440 TW) 
  • Ultra High Performance Summer: Toyo Proxes Sport (240 TW), Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer:Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), Nankang NS-2R (200 TW), Toyo Proxes R1R (200 TW)
• Wider Alternative: Front & Rear: 245/40-17
• • Direct Fit
  • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Toyo Proxes Sport A/S (440 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW), Continental Extremecontact DWS 06+ (560 TW)
  • Ultra High Performance Summer: Toyo Proxes Sport (240 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer:Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama Advan A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200TW), Yokohama Advan AD09 (200TW), BFGoodrich Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), GT Radial SX2 (260 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)

Whether you enjoy spirited street driving or you are a weekend track warrior chasing lap times, these wheel & tire configurations are ideal for 86/BRZ owners looking for a more dramatic improvement in performance and they are typically paired with performance oriented Summer tires or track oriented R-compounds.

This fitment is ready-to-bolt-on, typically without modifications, and provides a meaningful increase in wheel width over stock. 17” wheels keep weight and tire costs to a minimum, allow for improved ride quality, and will still clear factory Performance Package Brembo brakes with ease.

The 17x9” ET42 wheels fill out the fenders of the 86/BRZ providing a flush fitment without poking past the fenders, and they do not typically require any modifications. When it comes to 9” wheels, the ET42 offset keeps the wheel inboard closer to the suspension to give enthusiasts as much outer fender clearance as possible.

Performance Package / TRD Sachs Struts will require a minimum of 5mm spacers to clear the front suspension for most track/race oriented compounds in 245 and 255 widths. For these scenarios, our slightly more aggressive 17x9” ET35 wheels listed below in the next section are a great option as they offer 7mm of extra inner suspension clearance and avoid the need for spacers.

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 17x9” ET42
• • Available in ARC-8, ML-10RT
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: 245/40-17
• • Typically a direct fit, but an increase in negative camber is encouraged for wider tire compounds
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280 TW) 
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama Advan A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200TW), Yokohama Advan AD09 (200TW), BFGoodrich Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), GT Radial SX2 (260 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Nankang AR-1 (100TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Goodyear Eagle SuperCar 3R (100 TW)
  • Semi Slick: Hoosier R7 (40 TW), Hoosier A7 (40 TW), BFG R1 (40 TW), BFG R1S (40 TW), Toyo RR (40 TW)
• Wider Alternative: Front & Rear: 255/40-17
• • A mild increase in negative camber is typically required
  • Max Performance Summer: Continental ExtremeContact Sport (340 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (220 TW), Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180 TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60 TW), Toyo RA1 (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Toyo RR (40 TW)
• Narrower Alternative: Front & Rear: 235/40-17
• • Direct fit
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama AD08R (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), Nankang NS-2R (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Toyo RA1 (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Toyo RR (40 TW)

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 17x9" ET35
• • Available in ARC-8, VS-5RS, SM-10RS
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 245/40-17
• • A mild increase in negative camber is encouraged
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280 TW) 
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama Advan A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200TW), Yokohama Advan AD09 (200TW), BFGoodrich Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), GT Radial SX2 (260 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Nankang AR-1 (100TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Goodyear Eagle SuperCar 3R (100 TW)
  • Semi Slick: Hoosier R7 (40 TW), Hoosier A7 (40 TW), BFG R1 (40 TW), BFG R1S (40 TW), Toyo RR (40 TW)
• Wider Alternative: Front & Rear: 255/40-17
• • A healthy amount of negative camber is encouraged
  • Max Performance Summer: Continental ExtremeContact Sport (340 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (220 TW), Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180 TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60 TW), Toyo RA1 (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Toyo RR (40 TW)
• Narrower Alternative: Front & Rear: 235/40-17
• • Typically a direct fit
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama AD08R (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), Nankang NS-2R (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Toyo RA1 (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Toyo RR (40 TW)

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 18x9" ET42
• • Available in VS-5RS, SM-10RS, ML-10RT

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 255/35-18
• • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Yokohama AD08R (200TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW), Toyo Proxes R888R (100TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Toyo Proxes RR (40TW)
• Wider Alternative: Front & Rear: 265/35-18
• • A minimum of approximately -2º of camber is required both front and rear, depending on vehicle ride height and tire model. Rear quarter panel shaving required. Amount will depend on camber settings and ride height.
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (220 TW), Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660, Nankang CR-1 (200 TW) 
  • R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3R (100 TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: BFGoodrich R1S (40 TW)
• Narrower Alternative: Front & Rear: 245/35-18
• • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 (180 TW)
  • Semi-Slicks: Hoosier R7 (40 TW), Hoosier A7 (40 TW), Hankook Z214 C51

These wheel and tire configurations are best suited for hardcore track junkies and club racers competing for a spot on the podium. Everything from Extreme Summer tires to full Racing Slicks are commonly used depending on your experience behind the wheel, class rules, etc.

These aggressive wheel specs will require supportive modifications commonly found on track cars. 17” wheels keep weight and tire costs to a minimum, allow for taller tire sidewalls, and will still clear the factory Performance Package Brembo brakes as well as a variety of aftermarket BBKs.

Aftermarket coilovers with a slimmer silhouette in comparison to the stock struts are required. Not all aftermarket coilovers provide a slim enough silhouette to accommodate 9.5” wheels without the use of spacers, so please contact an APEX product expert if you have any questions. These wide wheel and tire configurations may make contact with your inner tie rods at full steering lock. 

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 17x9.5" ET40
• • Available in VS-5RS
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 255/40-17
• • A minimum of approximately - 2.5º of camber is required up front, and approximately -2º in the rear depending on vehicle ride height and tire model.
  • Max Performance Summer: Continental ExtremeContact Sport (340 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (220 TW), Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180 TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60 TW), Toyo RA1 (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Toyo RR (40 TW)
• Narrower Alternative: Front & Rear: 245/40-17
• • A minimum of approximately - 2º of camber is required up front, and approximately -1.8º in the rear depending on vehicle ride height and tire model.
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer - Hankook RS-4 (220 TW), Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), GT Radial SX2 (260 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Nankang AR-1 (100TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Goodyear Eagle SuperCar 3R (100 TW)
  • Semi Slick: Hoosier R7 (40 TW), Hoosier A7 (40 TW), BFG R1 (40 TW), BFG R1S (40 TW), Toyo RR (40 TW)

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 17x10" ET45
• • Available in SM-10RS
  • This is a very aggressive track-oriented fitment that will not work for cars on factory suspension. Aggressive alignment settings, suspension modifications, and at least a 12.5mm spacer is required.
  • Steering rack limiters are strongly recommended.

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 255/40-17
• • A minimum of approximately -2.5º of camber is required both front and rear, depending on vehicle ride height and tire model. Rear quarter panel shaving required. Amount will depend on camber settings and ride height.
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (220 TW), Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180 TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60 TW), Toyo RA1 (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Toyo RR (40 TW)

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 18x9.5" ET40
• • Available in VS-5RS, SM-10RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 255/35-18
• • A minimum of approximately -2.5º of camber is required both front and rear, depending on vehicle ride height and tire model.
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Yokohama AD08R (200TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW), Toyo Proxes R888R (100TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Toyo Proxes RR (40TW)
• Wider Alternative: Front & Rear: 265/35-18
• • A minimum of approximately -3º of camber is required both front and rear, depending on vehicle ride height and tire model.
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (220 TW), Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken Azenis RT660, Nankang CR-1 (200 TW) 
  • R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3R (100 TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: BFGoodrich R1S (40 TW)
• Narrower Alternative: Front & Rear: 245/35-18
• • A minimum of approximately -2.5º of camber is required both front and rear, depending on vehicle ride height and tire model.
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 (180 TW)
  • Semi-Slicks: Hoosier R7 (40 TW), Hoosier A7 (40 TW), Hankook Z214 C51

Brake Clearance Information

In the engineering phase of wheel development we 3D scan factory brakes and review 2D aftermarket brake templates in order to optimize our barrel profiles and spoke curvatures. As a result, our wheels offer massive brake clearance so you can run the smallest possible wheel diameter. The following brakes have been tested and confirmed to clear our wheels.

• Factory Brembo PP/TRD 4 piston 326mm - fits all
• Factory 2 piston 294mm - fits all
• AP Racing 13.01.10006 Endurance CP8350 4 piston 325mm - fits all
• AP Racing 13.01.10005 Sprint CP8350 4 piston 299mm - fits all
• Brembo 1M1.8047A 6 piston 355mm - fits 18" EC-7R only
• Brembo 1P1.8002A 4 piston 345mm - fits 18" EC-7R only
• Brembo 1H1.7003A 4 piston 332mm - fits 17" & 18" EC-7R only
• Brembo 1H4.6005A 4 piston 326mm - fits 17" & 18" EC-7R only
• Brembo 3K2.8016A Race 4 piston 355mm - fits 18" EC-7R only
• Brembo 3K2.7001A Race 4 piston 332mm - fits 17" & 18" EC-7R only
• StopTech 83.827.4700.XX ST40 4 piston 355mm - fits 18" EC-7R only
• StopTech 83.827.4300.XX ST40 4 piston 328mm - fits all
• StopTech 98.827.2KS0.00 C43 Race 4 piston 309mm - fits all

Should I Dial In Negative Camber and How Much Is Right for Me?

Whether you are a casual weekend track warrior that still enjoys your car on the street, or a hardcore racer competing for a spot on the podium, negative camber is a vital part of chassis setup that has many benefits. Not only will adding negative camber create more room for wider wheel and tire configurations (when dialed in through the top hat / camber plate), it more importantly improves handling, turn-in and tire longevity. Learn more in our blog article The Positives of Negative Camber.