Help me choose

TwisteDcLoWn

Member
:
2009 Mazdaspeed3
So i'm looking at a three sets of rims that I'm planning on getting for my black MS3. I'm currently selling what I have now but if I cant sell them, they will go on my wife's car. Planning on runnning 235/40 or even 245/40 if i can make them fit. I know that fender rolling is a must but I prefer the set that requires the least amount of fender work to make them fit. Help me choose and please give me your opinions.

TR Motorsports MT1
18x8.5 +48 18.5lbs
299.00 each
trm_mt1_lightgrey_ci3_l.jpg


Pros
-Made by Enkei through MAT process.
-I love the 10-spoke design possibly the best looking one compared to the other three
Cons
-It's light but it's the heaviest at 18.5 lbs
-Expensive
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=MT188548514MG&wheelMake=TRMotorsport&wheelModel=MT1&wheelFinish=Matte+Grey&showRear=no&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=CX-7&autoYear=2009&autoModClar=Sport+FWD&filterSize=All&filterFinish=All&filterSpecial=false&filterBrand=All&filterNew=All&sort=Brand

Kosei K1 TS
18x8 +40 17.2lbs
closeout at 180.00 each
kosei.jpg


Pros
-I really like how it looks
-Very light
-Least expensive
Cons
-I've heard that Kosei's are soft expalining how they can achieve lightweight wheels that are cast
-Dual valve stems look stupid.
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=TS200S&wheelMake=Kosei&wheelModel=K1+TS&wheelFinish=Silver+Painted&showRear=no&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=CX-7&autoYear=2009&autoModClar=Sport+FWD&filterSize=All&filterFinish=All&filterSpecial=false&filterBrand=All&filterNew=All&sort=Brand

Axis Circuit
18x8.5 +45 16lbs
299.00 each
AxisCircuitBrz.jpg


Pros
-this is not a Gram Light 57F knock-off. Axis had Rays Engineering manufacture this rim for them since Axis dont have any lightweight wheels on their own. Has Rays Engineering stamp on the rim but Axis put their sticker on.
-Forged and is very light.
Cons
-I dont like the weight reduction holes.
-Expensive but its the cheapest forged rims I can find.
http://www.1010tires.com/wheel.asp?wheelbrand=Axis&wheelmodel=Circuit+%2D+Bronze
 
FYI, Tire Rack was sold out of the K1 TS 18x8 months ago. They've been sitting on 2-3 bronze ones ever since. (Hard to sell off less than a full set, hence the price drop) I wanted those (in silver), myself, and called to find out why I couldn't order them in silver online.

So I'd personally go with the first option (MT1). Slightly heavier than the Axis wheel, but I think it looks a lot better. That, and the extra 3mm offset will make a small difference in the potential for rubbing.
 
I'm about to buy the mt1's tonight. hopefully i'll be able to sell my rs-m's so i can buy some 245/40's. if i get the rims, i still have to roll on my current 225/45's and kind of negates the reason for going wider. this is one of the reasons why i wanted to go with the k1's. i called up tirerack and they have the k1's on stock. you'll find more aggressive fitting wheels if you use the cx-7 as your base for searching.
 
i think they're all good picks for a ms3. but my pick goes to the axis. the extra holes do look unfortunate though, that would drive me crazy. those would look good on my ms6 too. Mmmmmmmm!!!!!

as far as the weight they're all really light weight. you're not gonna notice a difference between them since they're all really close so dont go by just weight alone.
 
i think they're all good picks for a ms3. but my pick goes to the axis. the extra holes do look unfortunate though, that would drive me crazy. those would look good on my ms6 too. Mmmmmmmm!!!!!

as far as the weight they're all really light weight. you're not gonna notice a difference between them since they're all really close so dont go by just weight alone.

Are you smoking rocks? Shaving 2.5 on each corner is a serious difference (13% less weight). On the front wheels it takes much less effort to move a 16lb rim than an 18.5.
 
no, not smokin rocks. yes there is an actual difference. but if you read what i wrote it says your not gonna notice a difference between them since they're so close in weight.

as in drive one set then drive another thats 2lbs lighter. you wont feel a difference. yes it a "serious difference" technically, but not physically. you butt is just not gonna be that sensitive.

any one of those wheels is gonna give you better acceleration, lighter feel in the steering and better stopping distances over stock.

i'm just sayin you shouldnt buy one wheel over another cuz its 1 or 2 lbs lighter.
i mean really..... i had to explain that?????
 

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