New wheels/tires on your MS3? - Post Here! [Archive]

jcrystal

10-08-2006, 10:57 AM

jacen

10-10-2006, 10:42 AM

I'm looking for the same information for new rims for snow tires, and I hope to go smaller than 18".

jbiird317

10-10-2006, 10:47 AM

Still looking for any information on what aftermarket wheels and tires will work on the MS3 so I can purchase snows.

1. Will a 225/45x18 have enough room on the stock rim?
2. What spec 17"rim will work?
3. Will 17" from Mazda6, MPV, MZ3 work?
4. Any know the offset on the stock wheel?

If you gone ahead on put new rims/tires on, please share what you've learned!

I'm not really positive on either #1 or #4. I would think that 225/45 should fit but you would probably have a small bulge over the side of the rim. As for 17" wheels, the biggest thing would be to check and see if they fit over the brakes, as long as there is enough clearance there, then the 17 inchers should work

RODSCALIP5

10-10-2006, 11:01 AM

I just got some 17X7 +43 yesterday. I currently have the 3 lowered with the Pro-Kit on stock tires.

jcrystal

10-10-2006, 11:34 AM

I believe you are referring to the regular Mazda3....my question is about the Speed3.

Tirerack has informed me the quickest way for them to get the Speed3 into their fitment database would be if someone came by in South Bend, Indiana with a new Speed3 for them to measure. Any takers?

I just got some 17X7 +43 yesterday. I currently have the 3 lowered with the Pro-Kit on stock tires.

jbiird317

10-10-2006, 11:47 AM

I believe you are referring to the regular Mazda3....my question is about the Speed3.

Tirerack has informed me the quickest way for them to get the Speed3 into their fitment database would be if someone came by in South Bend, Indiana with a new Speed3 for them to measure. Any takers?

ha thats great, maybe they could fit you with a set of wheels for your trouble? If so, Ill drive mine out as soon as I get it lol

jcrystal

10-10-2006, 01:04 PM

You might well be able to work out a deal. The guy who suggested this is: ben@tirerack.com

ha thats great, maybe they could fit you with a set of wheels for your trouble? If so, Ill drive mine out as soon as I get it lol

jbiird317

10-10-2006, 01:57 PM

well i doubt I'll get anything out of it, but I sent him an email, so we will see.

(btw, tirerack has a facility in Newark, DE as well, so maybe it could work)

tsunami

10-10-2006, 05:07 PM

the brakes are from an s40 so i would check what those guys are running and i believe they come stock with 17... ???

Red02LS1

10-11-2006, 02:27 AM

I'm wondering about 17's for snow tires as well.... what size tire would be appropriate for a 17" rim on the ms3? My Black MS3 Gt is comming the 2nd week of November.

Newf

10-11-2006, 10:04 AM

215-50-17 for winters

That's assuming your summers are 215-45-18 like the MS6

Problem with 17's in the 195-215 range is that there are very few winter tires in that size. You'll find 215-50-17 is the most popular, closest fit. And Dunlop M2/M3, Michelin X Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak's, and Toyo are the easiest to find.

I did find some generic brands that were studdable, but the cost was not much different then the Dunlop Graspic M2's. Hercules, Mastercraft were two that I found.

I'm really hoping for you new MS3 owners sakes that the brakes aren't as big as the MS6 on the front wheels. It would be so much easier to go with 16's.

As for rims - 114.3 x 5 is what you need. There are 17" steel rims. Any decent tire shop shold be able to get them now. Steelies are usually 6.5" wide, don't worry about it.

Mazda 6 17" rims, Mazda 3 Rims, Mazda 5 rims should all fit and lots of people trying to unload their stock ones.

jcrystal

10-11-2006, 10:22 AM

How sure are you about the fit on those stock Mazda rims? There is serious question whether the Mazda3 17" will clear the brakes, for example....

215-50-17 for winters

That's assuming your summers are 215-45-18 like the MS6

Problem with 17's in the 195-215 range is that there are very few winter tires in that size. You'll find 215-50-17 is the most popular, closest fit. And Dunlop M2/M3, Michelin X Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak's, and Toyo are the easiest to find.

I did find some generic brands that were studdable, but the cost was not much different then the Dunlop Graspic M2's. Hercules, Mastercraft were two that I found.

I'm really hoping for you new MS3 owners sakes that the brakes aren't as big as the MS6 on the front wheels. It would be so much easier to go with 16's.

As for rims - 114.3 x 5 is what you need. There are 17" steel rims. Any decent tire shop shold be able to get them now. Steelies are usually 6.5" wide, don't worry about it.

Mazda 6 17" rims, Mazda 3 Rims, Mazda 5 rims should all fit and lots of people trying to unload their stock ones.

Newf

10-11-2006, 10:30 AM

I had others on mazda 6 club tell me it was ok. But, I have not tried the Mazda 3 rim on my ms6. I did try a 16" steelie and it wasn't even close to fitting. The Mazda 6 17" wheel is fine, lots of room.

I had a chance to get a Mazda 3 17" rim for my car. The owner swore it would fit. But shipping was 100.00 + for me so I didn't chance it and got the M6 rims instead. I would honestly try a Mazda 3 rim before putting down money on it. But everything points to it fitting unless the center bore is too small. The Mazdaspeed Protege rims apparantly do not fit for that reason.

you guys need to find out if the brakes on the MS3 are the same as the MS6. I highly doubt it given it's a much smaller car.

Any dealer should be able to try a 17" Mazda 3 rim on your MS3 in no time at all. It's not like they won't have any lying around!

shark77

10-11-2006, 06:42 PM

I just used Kumho Ecsta ASX's for winter tires last year on my car. They performed well. Not as good as dedicated snow's, but safe enough to drive around with. They also run $40-50 a corner cheaper too. For 205/50/17's, tire rack has them listed at $89 a piece.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+ASX

kingd0g

10-15-2006, 08:17 PM

I'm hoping 16's will fit over the bigger brake set up. Like stock p5 wheels!!!

ClickHeRe

10-15-2006, 10:08 PM

you can forget that right away, lowest you can go is 17" wheels

TheMAN

11-28-2006, 09:05 PM

the stock ms3 wheels have the same offset as the normal 3's wheels... +52.5mm

BSTD3

11-28-2006, 11:46 PM

I'm putting these on in the Spring..

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k159/nopstnz/Calipers/DSCF0006.jpg

They are coming off my RX-8 and should fit nicely on my MS3. :)

SP33D3

12-01-2006, 11:17 AM

Hey already have the snow shoes on mine. Put a set of Michelin X-Ice 215/50r 17 . At the Tire shop they had a 16" wheel on it. I just didn't like the look. So i wen twith the 17" 50r to keep the same overall diameter..

BSTD3

12-02-2006, 09:27 AM

Those wheels got beat HARD with the FUG stick!! :)

mookiebarras

12-02-2006, 05:53 PM

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h196/mookiebarras/winter.jpg

205/50/16
barely fit, but no problems. clearance is good all around.
the ride is great on the bumps. defintely going to go 17's in the spring with more rubber.

slammie

12-02-2006, 10:48 PM

shark77

12-03-2006, 02:16 AM

I'm new here...I have a 96' 626, which I plan to swap out for MS3, maybe MS6, but deffinately leaning towards the MS3 after test driving both back to back last week. Even with the great discounts on MS6, the MS3 just seems like the better all around machine IMO. Anyway onto my question for you veterans......Is there some reason why an owner can't just buy a set of winter tires and have them put on the stock rims each winter and then remove them in the spring? Do you really need to get a new set of rims? Also, I'm assuming folks are getting steel rims to save $$. Dealer has rim (ugly alloys)/tire package (Blizzaks) for $1100 for MS6. Any answers, comments much appreciated.....I live in MN BTW so winter tire is a must. Thanks!

Winter tires in smaller wheel sizes perform better, and are cheaper. Plus 18s can get beat up easily.

If you look at prices, a dedicated winter tire in a 215/45/18 will run between $150-200. Whereas a 205/60/16 winter tire ranges from $65-110.

If you buy a 16in tire, you can pretty much buy a set of steel wheels or some cheap cast wheels to mount them on for $150-200 a corner.

If you go to tirerack, you can get a set of 16in steel wheels and tires for around $450 mounted/balanced + shipping. Or you can get a good quality snow tire and some alloy wheels for ~$750 + shipping.

If you go with a stock sized snow tire, you will spend >$600 on the tires and still have to have them mounted and balanced. Then next spring, you will have to pay the mounting and balancing costs again. So it just makes more sense to mount your winter tires on a a dedicated rim.

jcrystal

12-03-2006, 12:46 PM

Winter tires in smaller wheel sizes perform better, and are cheaper. Plus 18s can get beat up easily.

If you look at prices, a dedicated winter tire in a 215/45/18 will run between $150-200. Whereas a 205/60/16 winter tire ranges from $65-110.

If you buy a 16in tire, you can pretty much buy a set of steel wheels or some cheap cast wheels to mount them on for $150-200 a corner.

If you go to tirerack, you can get a set of 16in steel wheels and tires for around $450 mounted/balanced + shipping. Or you can get a good quality snow tire and some alloy wheels for ~$750 + shipping.

If you go with a stock sized snow tire, you will spend >$600 on the tires and still have to have them mounted and balanced. Then next spring, you will have to pay the mounting and balancing costs again. So it just makes more sense to mount your winter tires on a a dedicated rim.

Personally, I think going down to 16" with high profile tires will really spoil your fun for 6 months of the year. It won't handle nearly as well as the stock 18's, and you'll miss that for the 80% of the time the winter roads are clear. I went with 205/50x17 high performance snows for that reason....

shark77

12-03-2006, 06:17 PM

Personally, I think going down to 16" with high profile tires will really spoil your fun for 6 months of the year. It won't handle nearly as well as the stock 18's, and you'll miss that for the 80% of the time the winter roads are clear. I went with 205/50x17 high performance snows for that reason....

Good option too. I was trying to highlight the financial differences, and a 16in setup showed a greater difference. But I agree, a 17in setup is a perfect compromise for snow/dry weather.

Although, I went with a 16in setup. 215/55/16 Kumho ASX's mounted on Kosei K1 Racing wheels.

My reasons:
Relatively lightweight wheel/tire combo (won't help for snow, but it will make it more responsive)
Kumho ASX's worked well on my last car. For an A/S they are great in the dry and decent on snow.
The whole thing was mounted and shipped for ~$800. Plus I like the way K1 Racing wheels look and they are being discontinued.

Look into as many alternative options you can think of, evaluate the prices, weigh the pros and cons, and then pull the trigger.

mookiebarras

12-03-2006, 07:56 PM

Personally, I think going down to 16" with high profile tires will really spoil your fun for 6 months of the year. It won't handle nearly as well as the stock 18's, and you'll miss that for the 80% of the time the winter roads are clear. I went with 205/50x17 high performance snows for that reason....

the 16" wheels actually give a way better ride. more rubber = better on bumps and rough roads.
its not the size of the tire, its the compound of the rubber that gives you grip. larger rims with lower profile tires just give a better look.
i am done with low profile tires. bent way too many rims, over that.
i will be getting some 17's in the spring with a bit more rubber. the stock tires dont have enough rubber for my liking. can get the same performance from a high profile tire in 17".

jcrystal

12-04-2006, 08:18 AM

the 16" wheels actually give a way better ride. more rubber = better on bumps and rough roads.
its not the size of the tire, its the compound of the rubber that gives you grip. larger rims with lower profile tires just give a better look.
i am done with low profile tires. bent way too many rims, over that.
i will be getting some 17's in the spring with a bit more rubber. the stock tires dont have enough rubber for my liking. can get the same performance from a high profile tire in 17".

I disagree. Handling, especially cornering, is directly affected by how high a profile tire you use. The trade off is a rougher ride, I agree, but no way you can drive this like a sports car with high profile tires.

jheer

12-04-2006, 03:13 PM

I went with 16-inch Sport Edition D4's with 205/60/16 Blizzak Revo's from TireRack - total package was about $807 shipped to my door. The combination of snow tires and higher profile make driving MUCH less fun on dry pavement, but it helped alot this morning during the first morning rush hour with snow and ice on the roads. It is a tradeoff I'm willing to make for safety in the winter.

Sorry about the poor quality of photos.

96164

96165

96166

MM3Canuck

12-04-2006, 09:23 PM

TireRack does not ship to Canada :( You guys know of a place that does?

Thanks

jbiird317

12-05-2006, 08:43 AM

TireRack does not ship to Canada :( You guys know of a place that does?

Thanks

1010tires.com

MM3Canuck

12-05-2006, 09:49 PM

thanks, i will try that !

RPI-Speed3

12-05-2006, 10:19 PM

I currently have 225/45/18 Dunlop Wintersport M3s mounted on stock RX-8 rims which are 18x8 +50mm offset. This will be my 4th winter on these tires (3 previous winters with these tires on my RX-8) and they perform phenomenally. I stayed with 18 inch snow tires for the following reasons:

1. I wanted to keep the stock tire/wheel size when I bought them (I was driving my RX-8 in the winter at the time)
2. I wanted to keep the stock handling feel of the car.
3. I got a smoking deal on these @ $135 per tire at the time.

I live in the Boston area. Most of the time here there isn't standing snow on the primary or secondary roads. Usually it snows here and within a week or two its melted. If I lived somewhere that caused me to drive through standing snow more often, I would go down to 17s or 16s and get a more aggressive snow tire. The Dunlops have good snow performance and good dry road handling characteristics.

WagonMan

12-07-2006, 01:03 PM

TireRack does not ship to Canada :( You guys know of a place that does?

Thanks
Since when, I ordered a set of rims and tires from them about 2 years ago. Have they changed there policy?

Olestra

12-07-2006, 07:59 PM

Tirerack does ship to Canadians. I just put in Blizzak LM-25's and they charge almost $100 US to ship to my door.

Probably is easier to buy from a canadian website - 1010tire.com or tiretrends.com

voiceKoil

12-12-2006, 12:02 AM

18's for winter!!! from my eclipse, I put on some Kumho 225 40 18 Asx's seems like they do well in the snow and ice so far, CANT EXCEL FOR CRAP THOUGH!!! Dry or snow :( I was doin some snow testing in an old mall parking lot and the Dsc seems to do a pretty good job from this thing losin control... They fit great and look pretty good though, so for the winter I couldnt be happier!!!

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/2497000-2497999/2497424_40_full.jpg

slammie

12-12-2006, 01:34 PM

Glad to see some people are actually using 18's for winter --RPI-Speed3 + Voice Koil-- and having reaonable traction/performance in the wet stuff. In MN, the snow tires can be on the car for 5-6 months so I'd really like to stick with 18's since they look a whole lot better and conceivably will maintain the handling characterisitcs of the car on dry pavement. For most of the winter I'm driving on dry pavement anyway because the roads are pre-treated and sanded/salted to death.

MightyMouse

12-16-2006, 07:01 PM

TireRack does not ship to Canada :( You guys know of a place that does?

Thanks

Yes they do, I have had tires shipped directly to my house several times.

flyrevs

12-23-2006, 03:23 AM

Hey I found a set of New Ford Fusion 17x7" rims on Ebay for $250 (local pickup too). These have a 43mm offset and they fit perfectly. I got the Kumo ECSTA's 215xr50x17 and they handle great. The ride is a little softer than the stock setup. I haven't tried them in snow yet, but the stock tires were like iceskates, so these should be way better than stock. I got the Kumo's for $390 delivered from Tirerack. So I have $650 in the whole setup. Here's a pic:

http://www.natattacks.com/dad/fusionrims.jpg

I think they look better than steelies and for $250 the rims cost about the same. If anybody wants a set the guy has more - PM me.

rhan696

08-24-2007, 08:16 AM

Where did you get the steels? Tire rack doesn't list them on their site.

Hey already have the snow shoes on mine. Put a set of Michelin X-Ice 215/50r 17 . At the Tire shop they had a 16" wheel on it. I just didn't like the look. So i wen twith the 17" 50r to keep the same overall diameter..

rhan696

08-24-2007, 08:17 AM

Where did you get the steel rims?

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h196/mookiebarras/winter.jpg

205/50/16
barely fit, but no problems. clearance is good all around.
the ride is great on the bumps. defintely going to go 17's in the spring with more rubber.

flyrevs

08-25-2007, 12:18 AM

I got a set of 17" Ford Fusion rims for $250 on Ebay than spent $390 for 215x50x17 Kuhmos they are awsome in the snow and handle great on dry pavement. I was gonna get steelies, but for the same $$$ I got some way better rims - that won't rust. You gotta stay with 17" minimum. - this is a sports car, remember. It will handle like crap with 16's.