Picking wheels for an S2000 starts with one question: staggered or square? A staggered setup keeps a narrower wheel up front and a wider one out back. A square setup runs the same size at all four corners, for sharper turn-in on track and tires you can rotate. Both work on this car, but they ask very different things of it. Here's how the two 17-inch options in our fitment data compare.
Why the S2000 is hard to fit
The S2000 uses a 5x114.3 bolt pattern, which makes it tempting to borrow wheels from other cars. Don't. Factory offsets are extremely high, ET63 front and ET55 rear, so wheels built for something like a 350Z or WRX will poke well past the fenders. Fender clearance is tight and the car is sensitive to unsprung weight, so diameter, width and offset all have to be right.
Staggered vs square side by side
| 17" OEM+ Stagger | 17" Track Square | |
|---|---|---|
| Front wheel | 17x8 ET45 | 17x9 ET45 (or ET40) |
| Rear wheel | 17x9 ET45 | 17x9 ET45 (or ET40) |
| Tires | 225/45R17 F, 255/40R17 R (street) | 255/40R17 square (200TW) |
| Modifications | None on stock suspension | Front fender rolling, tab relocation, -2.5° or more front camber |
| Best for | Street and spirited driving | Dedicated track builds, rotatable tires |
The case for staggered
17 inches is the factory AP2 diameter and gives the best balance of tire choice, weight and looks. The OEM+ stagger runs a 17x8 front and 17x9 rear, both at ET45. That's a big step out from stock, which tucks the wheels in, and it fills the fenders without rubbing on stock suspension.
ET45 is the sweet spot. Go below ET38 up front and the tire will rub at full lock and catch the fender tabs. If you want a car you can drive every day with no fender work, this is the setup.
The case for square
A square setup dials out the S2000's factory understeer. Putting a 9-inch wheel and a 255 tire on the front axle gives the car much more front grip and sharper turn-in, and with the same size at all four corners you can rotate tires.
The catch is what it takes to fit. A 255 on a 9-inch front wheel won't clear on a stock car. Plan on rolling the front fenders, relocating the fender tabs and running at least -2.5 degrees of front camber. Skip that work and you risk damaging the tire or bodywork.
Which should you run?
- Mostly street, occasional canyon run: the 17" OEM+ stagger. No modifications, fuller fenders.
- Regular track days or a dedicated track car: the 17" square, once the fender and alignment work is done.
- Grassroots racing and the lightest possible package: our guide also covers a 16-inch lightweight square setup. Talk to us about it before ordering.
Whichever you choose, torque the lugs to 108 Nm (80 ft-lb).