2003 Mazda Protege5 50mm offset vs. 38 offset?????

[xitoxic]

I have been searching all day to try to find something but i can't so i finally decided to make this.
After searching for a while i figured the Protege5 has a +50 offset with 6" wide rims and 195/50R16 tires all OEM.

I just bought (4) tires that are 205/40R17 and some Enkei J10 rims with a 38mm offset.

Am i going to have any problems with fitting? Everyone said +45 or more offset is required but that doesn't make sense because the higher offset the more outwards you go?
Will fender rolling be required?

My main question is, will 7" wide 38mm rims fit the 2003 Mazda Protege5?!

 

[JDM_Pro5]

Use an online offset calculator. I calculated going from a 6" +50 to a 7" +38, you will have 1mm less clearance on the inside, and gain 25mm on the oustide. Expect the 90% of the inch gain in width gain to be outside. I don't know squat about tires, but the wheels will work. if you wanted to add a 1mm spacer or more, you can have the stock inner clearance or higher.

 

[xitoxic]

Yea as far as i know the tires will fit perfectly, i just have to avoid hitting bumps so i don't bend the rims
but i also did that calculator and the results just confused me, but as long as you say they will work then im happy

 

[JDM_Pro5]

It took me awhile to grasp the idea of offset. It's kind of backwards. You can look up videos explaining offset which at first will confuse you more. Basically, our stock wheels have a very high offset of 50, mean that the wheels bolt on at the face. If the offset was a lower number, the bolts would hit more in the middle of the wheel and not towards the face. The 0 offset point is the center of the wheel, meaning +50 bolts at the face, +0 bolt in the middle giving almost a 3" lip, and -50 would bolt at the back of the wheel and give a 6" lip. By going with a lower offset, you will have more of an outwards lip. You are also gain 1 inch in width by going from a 6" wheel to a 7".
A 6" wheel is 152.4mm wide. A 7" wheel is 177.8mm wide. You are gaining 25.4mm by upgrading which is 1in. This increase in width is being countered by the change in offset. If you kept your high high offset, that inch would be on the inside of your wheel and would rub your suspension. Since your offset of +38 gives you a 25mm lip, 25mm of the 25.4mm will stick out past the bolts give you a 0.9in lip, and the other 0.1in will be on the inside.

I hope this helped

here is a high offset. the face (the left) is far to the left meaning the axel passes the center off the wheel and bolts flush with the face

 

[xitoxic]

Thanks man that helped alot, so basically im going to be fine? haha

 

[JDM_Pro5]

yessir. I see people with protege5's going to 9.5 and 10 inch wheels using offsets anywhere from 45 to 0

 

[AG DesignWorks]

I have a set of Rota GT3's that are 16x7 with a +40 offset. They were very close to the outer fender lip, especially in the back. I had to roll the fenders and still had some rubbing going on over big bumps.

I think that's why people say you need to go with +45 and higher. That will help give you clearance between the face of the wheel/tire and the inside of fender sheetmetal. I worry that a +38 will put your wheel/tire combo flush against the fender, but will scrape the sidewall of the tire over bumps.

 

[o0n8]

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

 

[xitoxic]

I'm still not quite understanding how your +40 offset and other higher offsets are fine but my +38 offset is bad. From what im understanding, the higher you get the deeper you have to put the rim in to bolt it on. If + means its being pushed outward and - means inward, then mine should be fine and your should be the one with problems.....this is so confusing (deadhorse

 

[o0n8]

bigger the # the closer the center section is to the outside of the wheel.

 

[xitoxic]

o0n8 that is a great website!
helped a ton

 

[JDM_Pro5]

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

absolutely awesome site

I have a set of Rota GT3's that are 16x7 with a +40 offset. They were very close to the outer fender lip, especially in the back. I had to roll the fenders and still had some rubbing going on over big bumps.

I noticed he was running large tires 205/50/17

You can always go with a lower profile tire to compensate on the offset and size increase. I think he was rubbing with his larger tire

 

[AG DesignWorks]

I think you're probably right JDM. It is the tires. they're actually 205/55.

I put those tires back on a set of mazda wheels (OE mazda3 wheels +50) and they still rub a little. The car is lowered on eibachs, and i installed camber bolts to kick the wheels in, but i still have some rubs every now and then.

*sigh* The whole thing has put me off wheels that have a lower offset. I just bought a set of MSP wheels from another member, hopefully i won't have any more rubbing issues with those.

 

[o0n8]

I think you're probably right JDM. It is the tires. they're actually 205/55.

I put those tires back on a set of mazda wheels (OE mazda3 wheels +50) and they still rub a little. The car is lowered on eibachs, and i installed camber bolts to kick the wheels in, but i still have some rubs every now and then.

*sigh* The whole thing has put me off wheels that have a lower offset. I just bought a set of MSP wheels from another member, hopefully i won't have any more rubbing issues with those.

tire size should be 215/45/17 for the msp rh's, if you rub with those you have bad struts.

 

[AG DesignWorks]

They're coming with tires that size already mounted to them. Hopefully my struts aren't blown.

 

[pkane]

I have been searching all day to try to find something but i can't so i finally decided to make this.
After searching for a while i figured the Protege5 has a +50 offset with 6" wide rims and 195/50R16 tires all OEM.

I just bought (4) tires that are 205/40R17 and some Enkei J10 rims with a 38mm offset.

Am i going to have any problems with fitting? Everyone said +45 or more offset is required but that doesn't make sense because the higher offset the more outwards you go?
Will fender rolling be required?

My main question is, will 7" wide 38mm rims fit the 2003 Mazda Protege5?!

You are pushing the wheels out a little over 5/8". if you have unmodified suspension you will be fine.

 

[xitoxic]

thanks everyone, this forum is a huge help. I'll put them on this week and post a pic

 

[thefrostman]

I found a set of 17" MX-5 wheels w/ Michelins on Craigslist for $700: http://nashville.craigslist.org/pts/3342712498.html

OEM: 195/50-16 on 16x6 wheels w/ +50 offset
NEW: 205/45-17 on 17x7 wheels w/ +55 offset

Just looking at fit here. I've seen one other other P5 on here with these same rims that claimed to be all stock suspensions and brakes and they fit. But some specs sites I've been on claim you shouldn't go over an offset of +50.
This site offers some pretty detailed specs and comparison: http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.

My second question is if this is a good deal or not for these. I see these wheels going for just under $500 on eBay with no tires. I emailed the guy and here's what he said:

"I took these wheels & tires in trade so I do not know how many miles have been put on the Michelin tires. The tread obviously is worn, but you could probably get another 10-20,000 miles on them depending on your driving habits. The guy I got them from (we traded them out in my driveway) was very particular about his car, and the wheels themselves look practically newno scratches or curb rash."