Need some advice on Wheel/Tire fitment + opinion on which wheels look best

[RockyMtnSpeed3]

Hi all,

Forum noob here with a couple questions on wheel/tire sizes and rubbing. I've done quite a bit of searching and found a ton of helpful info on the topic. Now I just hoping to confirm some of the specs before I pull the trigger on a new set of wheels and tires for the MS3.

Right now I'm on the stock suspension and wouldn't mind keep it that way because I actually like the ride. At the same time I'm wanting to get a nice, slightly lighter set of wheels/tires that fit in my limited price range but don't leave a huge wheel gap.

I'm looking at throwing a set of the 18x7.5" Enkei FLC-01's wrapped in 225/40-18 or 235/40-18 Nitto NeoGen ZR's on my MS3. I had the NeoGen's on my previous car and they were great year round, especially in the Colorado winters.

So if anyone can help with the following questions, I'd greatly appreciate it:

1. Discount Tire has the Enkei FLC-01's in a 53 offset and a 45 offset. From what I found searching the stock offset is +52.5 so it would seem obvious that I'd want to go with the 53 offset, right?
   
2. If I stayed with the stock suspension and wanted a meatier tire to eat up some of the wheel gap, would a 225/45-18 tire do that without any rubbing issues? Would I be able to go to a 235/45-18 without rubbing?
   
3. I'm considering a drop on either the Eibach or the Cobb springs...really don't want to go more than 1" lower because of the driving conditions out here (weak, I know). If I do decide to drop it, would I be safe from any rubbing with the 18x7.5 ET53 Enkei's and the 225/40-18? What about the 235/40-18 tires with the Enkei's?

In a nutshell, I'm trying to pick the best wheel/tire combo that will not rub on the stock suspension but also not rub if I decide to drop. I'm guessing the 225/45-18 or 235/45-18 tires would probably rub is I was dropped an inch so I would probably stay away from that combo if that would be the case.

I photochopped (actually Paint.Net'ed) a set of the FLC-01's onto my CWP MS3, what do you all think? I also hacked on some MB Speeds, Drag DR-19's and a really bad image hack job of some Rota Tarmac 3's. I'm not the best at image editing but hopefully you get a good idea of the look. Any/all opinions welcome(thumb)!

Much appreciation for any feedback/advice anyone can provide and glad to be a member of the MS3 community!

Cheers,
Shane

 

[fishdonotbounce]

I'm pretty partial to the Speeds since I have em on my car. Beautiful wheel. Here's a link to some pics of them on my P5. Have fun with your choice man.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123719216

 

[RockyMtnSpeed3]

I'm pretty partial to the Speeds since I have em on my car. Beautiful wheel. Here's a link to some pics of them on my P5. Have fun with your choice man.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123719216

Nice, thanks for your opinion and pics. The Speeds definitely look dope on your P5...seeing your setup is gonna make my decision tough.

 

[SallySpeed3]

I'm currently in the same predicament. I'm looking to get 18 x 7.5 wheels for my speed3 and don't know what offset to get or what size tires to get to avoid rubbing. I want to go with 235/45 because that would keep it stock as far as distance between rim and tread, but I've heard it said other places that if you eventually plan on dropping you're safer to go with 235/45. You'll also get alot more tire options in that size as well, at least on tirerack.com

EDIT - Also realize that stock rims are only 7 inch with the 52 offset. So getting a 7.5 rim width is going to change the offset so i don't believe staying with 53 offset will work.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

225/40 is almost direct replacement to the 215 that came on the car. Correct me if I am wrong but I have always known our offset to be +48.

 

[mr_mazda329]

225/40 is almost direct replacement to the 215 that came on the car. Correct me if I am wrong but I have always known our offset to be +48.

Stock offset is +52mm

 

[Nliiitend1]

52.5 mm, to be exact.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Wonder where I got hte 48 at then. What is the Speed6, anyone know?

 

[RockyMtnSpeed3]

I'm currently in the same predicament. I'm looking to get 18 x 7.5 wheels for my speed3 and don't know what offset to get or what size tires to get to avoid rubbing. I want to go with 235/45 because that would keep it stock as far as distance between rim and tread, but I've heard it said other places that if you eventually plan on dropping you're safer to go with 235/45. You'll also get alot more tire options in that size as well, at least on tirerack.com

EDIT - Also realize that stock rims are only 7 inch with the 52 offset. So getting a 7.5 rim width is going to change the offset so i don't believe staying with 53 offset will work.

At least I'm not the only one trying to figure out which way to go (yes). If I wasn't thinking about dropping it later on, I'd just go with the 225/40 or the 225/45, 235/45 to eat up the wheel gap (as long as it wouldn't rub). I just have a feeling that I'll get the itch to lower it a little after going with the 225/45 or 235/45 setup.

I'm hoping someone might be able to help say for sure if either of these scenarios will go safely on a Cobb or Eibach lowered MS3 without rubbing issues.

• Enkei 18x7.5 ET53 or ET45 rim paired with the 225/45 or 235/45 tire
• MB Speed 18x7.5 ET48 paired with the 225/45 or 235/45 tire

Discount Tire shows the Enkei FLC-01 53 offset and the 225/40-18 as an option so I'm assumed that it would work, at least on the stock suspension. You really don't think the 53 offset would work on stock susp? Or just that it wouldn't work if lowered. Sorry if I sound clueless because I pretty much am with this stuff....but I am really trying to understand it better.

225/40 is almost direct replacement to the 215 that came on the car. Correct me if I am wrong but I have always known our offset to be +48.

225/40 sounds like the way to go if I was definitely gonna drop it. Not being sure I will drop, I'm hoping to go with a tire that covers up the wheel well a little more than the 225/40 but wouldn't rub if I ended up lowering on Cob/Eibachs. It might be 6 mos to a year for me save enough to do a drop so getting tires that cover the gap would be preferred.

Stock offset is +52mm

Yep, that's what I found too. For future reference, Nliiitend1 posted all the details on the stock rim in this thread:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123736957&highlight=stock+offset

Thanks a bunch for all the responses, keep 'em coming and if you have a second lemme know which wheel from my pics you think I should go with. I definitely a novice when it comes to suspension, especially wheel/tire fitment so I really appreciate the help!

 

[Wastegate13]

Go 225/40 and lower the car. If it rubs then roll the fenders.

I run 215s on a +40 wheel putting me at the same distance in relation to the fender as a 225 on a +45 wheel. I am on BC coilovers, no fender roll and I have never rubbed. I'm going to a 225/40 when I need new tires and I will go lower. I expect to have to roll then.

 

[RockyMtnSpeed3]

Go 225/40 and lower the car. If it rubs then roll the fenders.

I run 215s on a +40 wheel putting me at the same distance in relation to the fender as a 225 on a +45 wheel. I am on BC coilovers, no fender roll and I have never rubbed. I'm going to a 225/40 when I need new tires and I will go lower. I expect to have to roll then.

Word, I think I'm leaning toward going with the 225/40's as it just seems the safest way to go.....I won't be lowered for a few months until I can scrape more $ together so hopefully the gap doesn't look too bad until I can get springs.

If I went for the Enkei FLC-01's should I go for the +45 or +53?

Thanks again

 

[Wastegate13]

Word, I think I'm leaning toward going with the 225/40's as it just seems the safest way to go.....I won't be lowered for a few months until I can scrape more $ together so hopefully the gap doesn't look too bad until I can get springs.

If I went for the Enkei FLC-01's should I go for the +45 or +53?

Thanks again

Definitely the +45.

 

[MazSpeed3]

I have eibach springs and OZ Ultraleggeras 18X8 48mm. Want to put a wider tire without rubbing. Can someone tell me would 235 35 rub or should i go with 225 40 ??? Thanks