Itching to customize my 2013 Mazda5

No reason you can't shop their website, use their fit guide, and then order that stuff local. I did that. Crurchfields Master guides are just a nice to have for anyone that's never done a radio/speaker upgrade before.

Update the speakers alone is the biggest improvement for the lowest cost, the stock head units are not shabby (Alpine). Because my '07 didn't support for aux/MP3 I did head unit and all four speakers with steering wheel controls adapter. Having four speakers in the 5 means you can get by very well with just a head unit with 25Wpc and decent entry/mid full range Pioneer/Kenwood speakers. I leave my door tweeters disconnected.

Cabin lighting to LED is a huge difference. The interior trunk light has an odd mechanism that makes LED not viable.

Putting on real fog light bulbs, yellow ones, is worthwhile if you see foggy/cloudy conditions enough.

I see you have sidesill/rocker panels but no rear mudflap. That's something that always irked me - no mudflaps for models with rocker trim. Gonna look into that and see what the options are.

I did rack/box add too.
You're right - they actually have a Canadian website! Here's what I'm thinking of buying:
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@dlarkin_dc @Maikel @MarkVII88 - I'm looking at wheels now and I'm not 100% sure how to know in advance if they would fit. I did a bunch of research, so I know 18" would fit just fine, that it needs a 5x114.3 bolt pattern, but what about width/bore/offset?

I like to use this website:

It has all the wheel information and also a calculator to compare the impact of changing a wheel parameter

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You
I like to use this website:

It has all the wheel information and also a calculator to compare the impact of changing a wheel parameter

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View attachment 342920

Thank you @youri !!! Can you help me figure out what that means? The way I read it, if I want to put 18"s on my car I could only fit 7.5 width, offset 50 (with Center Bore 67.1 mm and Bolt Pattern 5x114.3). Is that correct?

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You


Thank you @youri !!! Can you help me figure out what that means? The way I read it, if I want to put 18"s on my car I could only fit 7.5 width, offset 50 (with Center Bore 67.1 mm and Bolt Pattern 5x114.3). Is that correct?
I just looked at Tire Rack for reference (see screenshot) and they seem to say that 7.5 or 8 width would work and they also offer a few options of offset.
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Not that other sizes wouldn’t fit, only that 7.5x18 50 is the closest to the OEM size.

If you go with 8 the wheel will be wider and may need a different offset to compensate.

If you click on the little calculator to the right of the wheel measurement on the website I sent, it brings you to a calculator where you can enter different wheel size and see the differences on wheel position. (The link below takes you there also)



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Not that other sizes wouldn’t fit, only that 7.5x18 50 is the closest to the OEM size.

If you go with 8 the wheel will be wider and may need a different offset to compensate.

If you click on the little calculator to the right of the wheel measurement on the website I sent, it brings you to a calculator where you can enter different wheel size and see the differences on wheel position. (The link below takes you there also)



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That makes perfect sense @youri. Thanks for being so kind and helping me with this :)
 
19" rims! Holy smokes! How is the ride on these?
Well, ride quality is a subjective opinion. 😅

I like how it rides, it's more precise and sharper.
Also lowering makes a difference/impact on ride quality.

Couple of my friends has said, that it's too rough/harsh. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I would say that you don't have worrie not knowing what will fit your car.
Basically used Mazda 5 bolt wheels will fit and you can also always ask in here.
Here are lots of people who has changed their wheel, so lots of knowledge. 👌🏼
@Maikel I found two sets of wheels locally. 19" from a Mazda6 GT and 18" from a Mazda3 GT. Any thoughts? I personally prefer the 19" because visually the change will be more significant. I'd love to get your opinion.
 
@Maikel I found two sets of wheels locally. 19" from a Mazda6 GT and 18" from a Mazda3 GT. Any thoughts? I personally prefer the 19" because visually the change will be more significant. I'd love to get your opinion.
Well, it depends. 😅

I agree that 19" will change appearance more.
But still I would say that go with the M3 18".

Bigger rims and lower profile tires will make the car look little bit goofy, because then the wheelgap will usually be so noticiable and will need lowering.

And also M3 wheels are safer option.
I don't know about those M6 19" wheels and stock suspension, will there be how much clearance.

At my case when I have lowered the car quite a bit, rear tires were rubbing to fenders, so I had roll them to make a clearance.
Front tires are rubbing to inner wheelwell when tires are fully turned.
 
Well, it depends. 😅

I agree that 19" will change appearance more.
But still I would say that go with the M3 18".

Bigger rims and lower profile tires will make the car look little bit goofy, because then the wheelgap will usually be so noticiable and will need lowering.

And also M3 wheels are safer option.
I don't know about those M6 19" wheels and stock suspension, will there be how much clearance.

At my case when I have lowered the car quite a bit, rear tires were rubbing to fenders, so I had roll them to make a clearance.
Front tires are rubbing to inner wheelwell when tires are fully turned.
Thank you @Maikel - that makes a lot of sense. I shouldn't be greedy :) Going with 19's will make things way too complicated for me. I appreciate the advice!
 
Indeed! I'm thinking of taking them to a place to refinish them. From what I could figure out, it's not super expensive and would take these wheels and make them like new :)
For your new tires on those 18's, you'll want to run 225/40R18's. That size will keep your speedometer accurate.

Also, with those bigger wheels, next time you need brakes, get the Mazdaspeed3 front rotors and calipers! They are direct bolt ons, and the difference in stopping power is IMMENSE. Rockauto prices, the calipers are about $90 each, not bad at all, and the rotors, well choose ones that are in your price range. You can get a rotor and pad kit as cheap as $140, but those I don't recommend, they will dust like crazy. You can get Powerstops for about $180, that's about as cheap as you should go.
 
For your new tires on those 18's, you'll want to run 225/40R18's. That size will keep your speedometer accurate.

Also, with those bigger wheels, next time you need brakes, get the Mazdaspeed3 front rotors and calipers! They are direct bolt ons, and the difference in stopping power is IMMENSE. Rockauto prices, the calipers are about $90 each, not bad at all, and the rotors, well choose ones that are in your price range. You can get a rotor and pad kit as cheap as $140, but those I don't recommend, they will dust like crazy. You can get Powerstops for about $180, that's about as cheap as you should go.
Thanks! I was about to ask what's the best tire size to get :) And thanks for the brake recommendation - the car can definitely use better breaks. By the way, I'm also looking at 18" Mazda 3 rims with 215/45 - should I be changing those tires to 225/40s? @theblooms
 

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