View Full Version : TireRack info about Speed3 wheels
jheer
11-16-2006, 02:16 PM
I just got off the phone with TireRack. One of their tire research guys bought a Mazdaspeed3 this week and has now determined which wheels will fit the MS3. The information should go live on their website in the next day or two.
Until then, here's what they said:
16-inch steel wheels - $49 each
Many options available in 16-inch ALLOY wheels, including TireRack's last full set of white Kosei K1 Racing wheels (which I promptly bought with Blizzak REVO 1 in 205/60/16), many for less than $100 each (Sport Edition F2, F6, F7, E1, E2, E3, D3 and D4).
The 16-inch wheels all seem to come with either 40 or 50 offset (one with 42 offset).
Kudos to TireRack for doing our research for us.
Edit: TireRack had only 3 white Kosei K1 Racing wheels in 16 inch, so I had to choose another wheel. I decided on Sport Edition D4's which are virtually the same lightweight (~16 lbs.).
AG DesignWorks
11-16-2006, 05:09 PM
Great! I've been checking the site every few days, as i didnt think it would take long to get one fitted and spec'd for their wheels.
Albert
11-18-2006, 08:44 PM
Here's my MS3 with the 16" steelies and Dunlop Wintersport M3's (from Tirerack):
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Albert/steelies/sw_1.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/Albert/steelies/sw_2.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/Albert/steelies/sw_3.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/Albert/steelies/sw_4.jpg
jheer
11-18-2006, 09:12 PM
Here's my MS3 with the 16" steelies and Dunlop Wintersport M3's (from Tirerack):
Wow. Thanks for posting those photos. That really helps me to picture what mine will look like when my 16-inch wheels with 205/60/16 Blizzak REVO's arrive on Tuesday. I went with the Sport Edition D4's rather than steel wheels just cuz I don't care for black wheels. I suppose I could have painted them silver or something.
Question: with the additional clearance inside the wheel well (which is quite noticeable in the photos), do you think it will allow for more snow/ice build up inside the wheel well? Or will the added clearance allow the snow/ice build up to fall out? I'm wondering if the added clearance will make driving in deep snow worse or better.
Comments anyone?
Albert
11-19-2006, 12:50 PM
I read somewhere that if you have a problem with snow building up in the wheel wells, you can take one of the many tire foam products, spray it inside the wheel well (when it's clear of snow, obviously), and it'll help prevent it from building up in there.
nocoastgangster
11-20-2006, 02:20 PM
I went on tirerack this morning and they had 74 rims for the MS3.
nocoastgangster
11-20-2006, 02:21 PM
I went on tirerack this morning and they had 74 rims for the MS3. I like the gram lights bronze color!
jheer
11-20-2006, 03:06 PM
I read somewhere that if you have a problem with snow building up in the wheel wells, you can take one of the many tire foam products, spray it inside the wheel well (when it's clear of snow, obviously), and it'll help prevent it from building up in there.
Cool. I'll try that when my snow tires/wheels arrive.
jacen
11-20-2006, 05:11 PM
I thought I saw something on the SE-R list about you buying a speed3 also. Nice job!
Snow tires and rims will be ordered soon, thanks for the info on Tirerack.
jacen
11-20-2006, 05:22 PM
What about the tire pressure monitoring system? I've never had one of these before; are you putting winter tires on without sending units?
RPI-Speed3
11-20-2006, 11:52 PM
TireRack is usually good about supplying rims that support TPMS. However, everyone should ask this question when they are buying rims. Its not a big deal, my summer/track rims for my RX-8 don't take the TPMS, but I'm checking my tire pressures twice a week. I would be interested to know from all the folks who bought winter rims if they support TPMS.
jheer
11-21-2006, 08:32 AM
I thought I saw something on the SE-R list about you buying a speed3 also. Nice job!
Hey jacen! Great to see a familiar sig on these new (to me) forums.
You will love the MS3. When is yours supposed to arrive?
jheer
11-21-2006, 08:34 AM
TireRack is usually good about supplying rims that support TPMS. However, everyone should ask this question when they are buying rims. Its not a big deal, my summer/track rims for my RX-8 don't take the TPMS, but I'm checking my tire pressures twice a week. I would be interested to know from all the folks who bought winter rims if they support TPMS.
I will find out today - my wheels/tires are being delivered from TireRack by FedEx today.
jacen
11-21-2006, 11:17 AM
What I really need to know about the TPMS is what the car/ECU/ABS control will do if I install winter tires without the system. Does it effect the traction control system, create a check engine light or something, or just light up an idiot light on the dash that I can ignore? I don't need the system, but if the car does...
John, maybe we'll end up at the great lakes bash in identical non-SR20 cars. On second thought, I'm probably still taking the VE with the extra safety features for track events
jacen
11-21-2006, 11:21 AM
Hey jacen! Great to see a familiar sig on these new (to me) forums.
You will love the MS3. When is yours supposed to arrive?
End of the month, but no actual date has been given yet.
WagonMan
11-21-2006, 02:31 PM
I will find out today - my wheels/tires are being delivered from TireRack by FedEx today.
There is a familiar name, I used to be on the SR20DE boards all the time when I had a G20 that I turbocharged. I replaced that car with a 540 wagon when the kids came, and have just added an MS3 to the stable.
jheer
11-21-2006, 02:40 PM
There is a familiar name, I used to be on the SR20DE boards all the time when I had a G20 that I turbocharged. I replaced that car with a 540 wagon when the kids came, and have just added an MS3 to the stable.
This IS funny. Maybe we should start a subforum for former owners of SR20 cars? Good to see we are all thinking along the same lines with the MS3.
I really think of the MS3 in the same way I did of the original SE-R when I bought it back in 1991. It is the best thing out there for the money, and it is such a sleeper!
jacen
11-21-2006, 03:16 PM
Former and current, in my case.
Back on topic, searching the other forums here for Mazda's with TPMS's showed these other Mazda's would have a light on the dash but it wouldn't effect anything else. I hope that is the case for the Speed3!
jheer
11-22-2006, 08:51 AM
Former and current, in my case.
Back on topic, searching the other forums here for Mazda's with TPMS's showed these other Mazda's would have a light on the dash but it wouldn't effect anything else. I hope that is the case for the Speed3!
I might remain a current owner of an SR20 if I can't get anyone to buy my SE-R.
I got the wheels/tires yesterday, but I won't be able to put them on my Speed3 till Friday or so. I'll let you know if the TPMS raises any issues.
jacen
11-27-2006, 02:01 PM
I ordered from Tirerack today without TPMS sensors. They thought it would just create a light on the dash but wouldn't effect any other electronics.
My car is supposed to be here Wed or Thursday of this week. :)
elderlycoffee
12-01-2006, 12:54 PM
why would I want to go from 18's to 16's?
jheer
12-01-2006, 01:02 PM
why would I want to go from 18's to 16's?
Several reasons:
(1) if you autocross, you want less spinning weight, more traction,
(2) 16-inch wheels and tires are generally lighter and cheaper,
(3) more options available which will fit into our wheel wells,
(4) for snow tires, you generally want TALLER tires, and you can't easily fit taller tires on the 18's.
RPI-Speed3
12-01-2006, 04:41 PM
If you buy rims without TPMS, you will just see a light illuminate on the instrument panel that is an exclamation point in between parenthesis (something like this--->) (_!_). It won't affect any other systems on the car.
jheer
12-04-2006, 09:12 PM
If you buy rims without TPMS, you will just see a light illuminate on the instrument panel that is an exclamation point in between parenthesis (something like this--->) (_!_). It won't affect any other systems on the car.
I can attest to this. No problems with the TPMS, just the indicator light on the tachometer. It blinks when you start the car and then stays on permanently while driving.
I have finally attached photos of the new snow tires/wheels from TireRack. They are 16x7 Sport Edition D4's with new Blizzak REVO's in 205/60/16. All shipped to my door for $803. No clearance issues at all.
Yes, the Blizzaks are taller than the stock tires, so there is serious rollover in hard cornering, but they got me safely to work today in the first rush hour with snow and ice. I don't think they look TOO bad.
96217
96218
96219
mikepro
12-12-2006, 10:57 AM
No annoying dings or chimes from the TPMS?
A light doesn't sound too bad. Means you could order the wheels mounted and balance directly and not have to worry about swapping out the sensors from the original wheels, which would be a major PITA, since you would have to unmount the tire.
jheer
12-12-2006, 10:59 AM
No annoying dings or chimes from the TPMS?
A light doesn't sound too bad. Means you could order the wheels mounted and balance directly and not have to worry about swapping out the sensors from the original wheels, which would be a major PITA, since you would have to unmount the tire.
Nope. No dings or chimes. Just the silent indicator light.
jacen
12-12-2006, 12:29 PM
Yep, I have my 16" steelies without TPMS mounted and balanced at tirerack. I haven't noticed anything but the light, which does not bother me.
Olestra
12-13-2006, 04:59 PM
Yeah seems like smallest rim size is the way to go, with tallest tire possible due to cost effectiveness. And it doesn't look like there's much wheel gap on those MS3 pics going from 18" to 16".
WagonMan
12-13-2006, 06:09 PM
Yeah seems like smallest rim size is the way to go, with tallest tire possible due to cost effectiveness. And it doesn't look like there's much wheel gap on those MS3 pics going from 18" to 16".
Wheel gap should be around the same as no one will be changing the diameter of their wheels that much by going to a small rim size, just changing the ratio of tire to rim height.
Regarding going to the smallest rim, highest profile tire; that is the best from a cost point of view, but the worst from a handling perspective. I don't want to ruin my MS3s handling for 4-5 months of the year. I'm sticking 225 performance winters on the OEM rims to keep the good handling, and also get me through most of the snowy days.
I live in Toronto where the roads a cleared pretty well so I'm not worried about the wider tire as there are few days where you are driving through really deep snow.
Just another point of view.
Vermilion
12-13-2006, 06:22 PM
Tirerack at one time had some OZ Ultraleggera wheels in Black paint, went back a few days ago and now they aren't on tirerack at all nor on OZ. Sucks, cuz I was really wanting a set.
Vermilion
12-13-2006, 06:42 PM
Well.. nevermind. I check now and they have the OZ Ultraleggera's in black.
Here's a pic I print screened on Black Mica .. it looks hot as hell.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/FI_Hate/MS3Ultraleggera1.jpg
Olestra
12-13-2006, 08:25 PM
Oh I like those!
Olestra
12-13-2006, 08:39 PM
Wheel gap should be around the same as no one will be changing the diameter of their wheels that much by going to a small rim size, just changing the ratio of tire to rim height.
Regarding going to the smallest rim, highest profile tire; that is the best from a cost point of view, but the worst from a handling perspective. I don't want to ruin my MS3s handling for 4-5 months of the year. I'm sticking 225 performance winters on the OEM rims to keep the good handling, and also get me through most of the snowy days.
I live in Toronto where the roads a cleared pretty well so I'm not worried about the wider tire as there are few days where you are driving through really deep snow.
Just another point of view.
I suppose handling will be sacrificed and ruin this advantage in the MS3.
You're right, the diameter remains the same. I've seen some cars with really high profile tires - to me the large amounts of rubber is kinda ugly. But that's a small sacrifice to be able to drive through snow and be safe. In Edmonton, my 205 50 17s do ok as well and they aren't an extremely wide tire but I do notice that on bad snow days, my car gets plowed by the snow and it will shift back and forth trying to make it's way through. Our streets get cleaned pretty well too except in residential (nightmare) where it's lower priority. That and the few days the roads get really bad are where I'm glad I have winters, I think it's worth it.
So I would suppose that this is a bit subjective - if you think that most of your driving will be on very light snow and dry/wet pavement even in winter, then you could probably get away with bigger, lower profiles. If you think you're going to get stuck with such wide tires, then smaller steelies and higher profile.
WagonMan
12-13-2006, 11:09 PM
I suppose handling will be sacrificed and ruin this advantage in the MS3.
You're right, the diameter remains the same. I've seen some cars with really high profile tires - to me the large amounts of rubber is kinda ugly. But that's a small sacrifice to be able to drive through snow and be safe. In Edmonton, my 205 50 17s do ok as well and they aren't an extremely wide tire but I do notice that on bad snow days, my car gets plowed by the snow and it will shift back and forth trying to make it's way through. Our streets get cleaned pretty well too except in residential (nightmare) where it's lower priority. That and the few days the roads get really bad are where I'm glad I have winters, I think it's worth it.
So I would suppose that this is a bit subjective - if you think that most of your driving will be on very light snow and dry/wet pavement even in winter, then you could probably get away with bigger, lower profiles. If you think you're going to get stuck with such wide tires, then smaller steelies and higher profile.
If I was in Edmonton I would probably not go with the choice I made (the wide, low profile performance winter tire choice). But would go with some skinny, Q rated tires. In deep snow all the MS3s will end up plowing snow as they are a pretty low car. Maybe you could be the first to install hydraulics on the MS3. :)
I live about 100ft from Yonge street in Toronto, so there is minimal driving on uncleared streets, plus on bad days I can take the subway to work. So I have a different perspective from many other winter drivers.
shark77
12-14-2006, 04:27 AM
Regarding going to the smallest rim, highest profile tire; that is the best from a cost point of view, but the worst from a handling perspective. I don't want to ruin my MS3s handling for 4-5 months of the year. I'm sticking 225 performance winters on the OEM rims to keep the good handling, and also get me through most of the snowy days.
I went with Kumho ASX's in a 215/55/16 and handling is still pretty good. Resposiveness is probably 90% of what the stock tires were. Even with a sidewall of 4 inches, it doesn't feel sloppy at all.
MightyMouse
12-16-2006, 05:20 PM
Here's my MS3 with the 16" steelies and Dunlop Wintersport M3's (from Tirerack):
Albert, quick question. It is really hard to tell in the pictures, but are the steel wheels hubcentric? I really don't like using wheels that don't fit the hubs properly.
Albert
12-16-2006, 10:55 PM
Albert, quick question. It is really hard to tell in the pictures, but are the steel wheels hubcentric? I really don't like using wheels that don't fit the hubs properly.
They fit nice and tight on the hubs. Let me know and I'll snap some closeups for you if you want them.
MightyMouse
12-17-2006, 11:32 AM
They fit nice and tight on the hubs. Let me know and I'll snap some closeups for you if you want them.
That's OK thanks, as long as they fit tight on the hubs, that is good enough for me....
turbofever
12-21-2006, 07:00 PM
Here's my MS3 with the 16" steelies and Dunlop Wintersport M3's (from Tirerack):
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Albert/steelies/sw_1.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/Albert/steelies/sw_2.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/Albert/steelies/sw_3.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/Albert/steelies/sw_4.jpg
What's the offset on those wheels?
ZooZoom
01-19-2007, 08:43 PM
what is the bolt pattern for MS3 wheels? 5 x 100 mm?
what is the ideal offset? has somebody put a table together yet?
I mean, if you wanted to shoe-horn 8" wide wheels, what offset is needed?
I've got a nearly new set of Rotas in 17" x 8" with a +48mm offset.
will these fit on the MS3? has anybody put 8" wheels on? any rubbing?
udontknowjack
01-25-2007, 10:36 AM
can we fit 235/40/18 on ms3 stock rims??? anyone?
what is the bolt pattern for MS3 wheels? 5 x 100 mm?
what is the ideal offset? has somebody put a table together yet?
I mean, if you wanted to shoe-horn 8" wide wheels, what offset is needed?
I've got a nearly new set of Rotas in 17" x 8" with a +48mm offset.
will these fit on the MS3? has anybody put 8" wheels on? any rubbing?
oatmealboy
01-25-2007, 12:09 PM
what is the bolt pattern for MS3 wheels? 5 x 100 mm?
what is the ideal offset? has somebody put a table together yet?
I mean, if you wanted to shoe-horn 8" wide wheels, what offset is needed?
I've got a nearly new set of Rotas in 17" x 8" with a +48mm offset.
will these fit on the MS3? has anybody put 8" wheels on? any rubbing?
1. 5 x 114.3mm
Can't answer your other Q's, but I am running a 17 x 7" wheel with a +48 offset, and they fit just fine. Offset for the stock MS3 wheels is +52 or thereabouts.
Rotus8
01-25-2007, 12:24 PM
can we fit 235/40/18 on ms3 stock rims??? anyone?
Minimum reccomended rim size for 235/40/18 is 8". Stock ms3 rims are 7". You can get them on, but they won't work very well. Sidewalls will be pinched and tread will bow out reducing traction.
udontknowjack
01-25-2007, 03:10 PM
so the biggest tire we can get on our stock is 225/45/18..?
thats weak
Minimum reccomended rim size for 235/40/18 is 8". Stock ms3 rims are 7". You can get them on, but they won't work very well. Sidewalls will be pinched and tread will bow out reducing traction.
Rotus8
01-25-2007, 03:42 PM
so the biggest tire we can get on our stock is 225/45/18..?
thats weak
Yes, and Yes.
Humm isnt it 225/40-18? Thats what i planned to use for autocross this summer...
anyone have experience with wider tire... I'm not sure if it wont rub.
Olestra
01-31-2007, 04:15 PM
Stock is 215-45-R18 for Speed3
you didnt read the question.... (scratch)
jheer
02-01-2007, 04:42 PM
you didnt read the question.... (scratch)
I know this doesn't answer your question, but there is at least one thread on this forum (I cannot locate it now) which discusses at length the maximum width tires which can fit on the stock wheels. It's not much more than 225 or 235 because the wheels themselves are not very wide. To get more width, we need to go to a wider wheel and different offset ... but then we start to get close to the struts or the wheel well. There just is not much room to play with.
I will likely stay with the stock width (for stock autocross class - DS), but get lighter wheels and better rubber.
I will get new wheels aswell but i want to have a wider contact patch... i will wrap them with hoosier A6, they will be sticky as hell, i'm not sure they are produced in 215 tough... thats why i asked for info on 225/40
jheer
02-02-2007, 09:14 AM
I will get new wheels aswell but i want to have a wider contact patch... i will wrap them with hoosier A6, they will be sticky as hell, i'm not sure they are produced in 215 tough... thats why i asked for info on 225/40
I know at least one other forum member has 225/40/18 on his MS3. I do NOT know if they are on the stock wheels, but I suspect they are.
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