Motegi TrakLite's mounted, pics

[dajiggalo]

I just mounted my stock tires to my new wheels. I posted a few before and after pics. The offset on the motegi's are 42+ on a 7inch wheel, thus the wheel will be pushed out about 16mm (see the stock/new offset photos). For those of you thinking about new wheels, the front wheels will fill out the wheel wells more because there is more room to the rear of the car (wider tires at the rear are possible). The slender spokes and the gunmetal finish make the wheels look small even though they are 17inch, which in turn make my Mazda look chubby.(doh) Luckily I bought a dark color (strato blue), and the wheels will hide brake dust better.
The finish on the Motegi wheels are not that great (rear lip was not painted completely and the center caps suck) but for a set of forged wheels that weigh about 14-15 lbs each, its a steal at $900 for the full set. The stock 17 inch wheels are fairly light themselves at about 23 lbs each (I'll try to get a proper measurement later). The Tires, however, weigh nearly 25 lbs each. The TPMS sensors do fit Motegi wheels. Installation was fairly painless as long as you are careful.
I'm still trying to figure out how to remove the stupid decals on the wheels but I nicked on of the spokes in the process, so I gave up (any suggestions?). Yes, I will lower the vehicle!!! I'm just waiting for Tein to produce some coilovers for the Mazda3....

 

[uclap5]

looks good.

 

[dulog]

I just mounted my stock tires to my new wheels. I posted a few before and after pics. The offset on the motegi's are 42+ on a 7inch wheel, thus the wheel will be pushed out about 16mm (see the stock/new offset photos). For those of you thinking about new wheels, the front wheels will fill out the wheel wells more because there is more room to the rear of the car (wider tires at the rear are possible). The slender spokes and the gunmetal finish make the wheels look small even though they are 17inch, which in turn make my Mazda look chubby.(doh) Luckily I bought a dark color (strato blue), and the wheels will hide brake dust better.
The finish on the Motegi wheels are not that great (rear lip was not painted completely and the center caps suck) but for a set of forged wheels that weigh about 14-15 lbs each, its a steal at $900 for the full set. The stock 17 inch wheels are fairly light themselves at about 23 lbs each (I'll try to get a proper measurement later). The Tires, however, weigh nearly 25 lbs each. The TPMS sensors do fit Motegi wheels. Installation was fairly painless as long as you are careful.
I'm still trying to figure out how to remove the stupid decals on the wheels but I nicked on of the spokes in the process, so I gave up (any suggestions?). Yes, I will lower the vehicle!!! I'm just waiting for Tein to produce some coilovers for the Mazda3....

14-15 lbs -- nice. Like the car color too. Probably a stupid question but is 25lb/each unusually high for a 205/50R17 tire? Any plans for the old wheels?

Not sure if dark wheels are my thing. They sure seem to be the in thing lately so maybe seeing it will grow on me. The last place I lived in was in MT where many people had a set of winter tires/wheels and often they were the black steel ones so that's what I associate the look with (along with a vehicle caked with winter road crap). Not that the size/styling of these wheels look anything like that - its just what my mind associates with the dark colored wheels. Do those wheels come in other finishes? Maybe if you cleaned up the tires well and then put some protectant on them the tires would look darker, which may give more contrast around the lip of the wheel. This might make the shine and size of the wheel more noticable, thus getting rid of some of the chubby look you mentioned?

 

[Rock]

I'm in full agreement with ya about the Tein coilover system Dajiggalo!
Maybe we can try a grp buy if there is enough interests.
$900 doesn't sound bad at all for forged 17's. I was talking to my Boss today and he said they were 1300 a piece. I thought he was Full of s*** lol. :bs:

Anyways, I'm going to be looking for a set of 16X7 (or 7.5) forged wheelies for when I go to road events. I don't really want to spend too much on the wheels since they will more than likely be worn to s*** in a few events mwhaaha ahahaa ahahahaah ahaahaaaa (gun)

Quick question though, I have some pics of my wheels on my comp, but don't know how to post em on a forum, mind helping me out there?
thanks in advance,
Rock

 

[Airman Jack]

just wait for Goldwing to make his obligatory comment about 5-spokies

 

[txrxs]

where did you get the wheels?

 

[goldwing2000]

just wait for Goldwing to make his obligatory comment about 5-spokies

I was going to let it go this time, actually. (flash)

 

[FunkyBuddha]

Looks ok. The wheels make the car look like a monster truck. I think because of the dark color. Not liking it. Needs some contrast.

 

[dajiggalo]

I'm in full agreement with ya about the Tein coilover system Dajiggalo!
Maybe we can try a grp buy if there is enough interests.
$900 doesn't sound bad at all for forged 17's. I was talking to my Boss today and he said they were 1300 a piece. I thought he was Full of s*** lol. :bs:

Anyways, I'm going to be looking for a set of 16X7 (or 7.5) forged wheelies for when I go to road events. I don't really want to spend too much on the wheels since they will more than likely be worn to s*** in a few events mwhaaha ahahaa ahahahaah ahaahaaaa (gun)

Quick question though, I have some pics of my wheels on my comp, but don't know how to post em on a forum, mind helping me out there?
thanks in advance,
Rock

I've contacted Tein numerous times. I always get the same reply (if any at all), "check the website." Tein just came out with springs for the Mazda6 and they have SS coilovers "in development," but the Mazda3 isn't even mentioned on their site (???). The Scion tC came out after the Mazda3 and Tein already has a line-up of products for that. I guess we'll be waiting awhile.....

As for 16-inch forged wheels.... Try Rota, they've had good reviews from some Protege owners. Volk also makes 16-inch wheels (if you're willing to shell out the cash). The Motegi TrakLites come in 15-inch (and 19-inch for those who want rubber-band thick sidewalls).

This is how you post pictures. When you post a reply, look under additional option, there should be a button called 'manage attachments.' Click on there and a new window will open up. Click on the button 'browse' and double click the picture you want to attach. Then click on the button 'upload'

 

[jbass]

Sorry to say that but I really dont like the looks it gives to the car. I even find that the stock wheels fit better with your car. Just my .02 cents

 

[Rock]

ok testing :
sorry about the haze, damn digi camera fogged up when I went out into the Humid FL air lol.