I would be tempted to go with Enkeis (14.6 lbs) That is very light and significantly lighter than the OEMs you have, I'd guess.
...The stock tire sizes for our generation are 205/55R16 and 205/50R17 (plus I think 215/45R18 on the Mazdaspeed3)...
Excellent - thanks for the correction.Stock tire size for a second generation Mazdaspeed3 is 225/40R18. The first generation Mazdaspeed3 did indeed use a 215/45R18...
I am considering 225/45R17 for my next summer set, but I was thinking of a 7.5" wide wheel. The stock 205/50R17 came (in the first generation) on a 6.5" wide wheel - which I'm running now on my 2012 - and that wouldn't be wide enough. So the questions:I've been using 225/45R17 tires on my 3 since my first set of replacement tires, and have zero problems. The shoulders tend to be a little more square, but a 225/45R17 and a 205/50R17 mounted on a 7" wide wheel will end up being almost exactly the same width.
I'm on the stock wheels - second generation S models all used a 17 x 7". The 17" wheels (both the five spoke and the snowflakes) on the first generation cars were 6.5". If memory serves me, the offset on my wheels is 52 mm. You could easily fit a wider wheel - definitely 8" and possibly wider - under the fender. I used to have a spreadsheet that I could use to plug in potential wheel and tire combinations and get the net change in backspacing and stickout, but it got lost last year.
- What offset are you running with those 7"x17" with 225/45R17?
- Does it look like there is enough clearance for another 1/2" of wheel width, which would pull out the sidewalls a few millimetres?
Stock offset - thanksIf memory serves me, the offset on my wheels is 52 mm.
Good to know. In my case, I want optimal for the tire, which is more likely 7.5", but anything up to 8.5" is approved for this tire size. I also don't want the wheel rim protruding (as it increases the risk of curb damage). Aftermarket wheels tend to lower offset to move the tire outboard either to avoid inside interference or just for appearance, but I don't like that tires-don't-fit-in-the-car look and I don't want to mess with geometry, so fitting at stock offset is good (for me - Andrewh3 might have different preferences).You could easily fit a wider wheel - definitely 8" and possibly wider - under the fender...