Help me with wheel choice? MZ3 17 vs RX-8 18? Pics and poll inside...

[phunky.buddha]

Sorry for the "duh" stuff at the beginning, this is cut and paste from one of my posts on a non-Mazda board.

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Need opinions...

So this is the wife's car (Mazda 5), except hers is grey and doesn't have side skirts:

Trying to pick up some new wheels for it. The stock size is 205/50-17 on 17x6.5 +52.5 wheels. We have the exact same wheels as the stock picture above.

I have the choice between a set of 2010 Mazda 3 wheels and a set of RX-8 wheels.

Mazda 3 = 17x7 +52.5, one has slight curb rash (I'll fix), tires are currently 205/50 Yokohama Avid (not sure which one). I can get the set for $200.

RX-8 = 18x8 +50, two or three seem to have curb rash, and the wheels are from a 2004 model so they seem to have a bit more rock chips and things like that in the finish. Tires are currently 225/40 BFG G-Force Sport. I can get the set for $300.

The goal was to put 235/45-17 tires on for a little more sidewall (smoother ride), a slight bulge for rim protection, and a wider contact patch for more grip. I just love the way the RX-8 wheels look though... even though they will take quite a bit more cleanup, be more susceptible to curb rash, and get rid of the smoother ride target since the sidewalls would be shorter than stock. The RX-8 wheels would end up wearing 235/40-18 tires.

Tire prices- the 235/45-17 seems to run about $25-40 less per tire than the 235/40-18 size on Tire Rack. So overall, the 18s would cost about $200 more than the 17s.

Weight- doing some quick research around the web, it looks like both of these wheels are right at 22 pounds apiece. Tires are anywhere from 23 to 25 pounds each, with the 18s being 1 pound heavier if they're listed as being heavier at all.

What do you think? Vote in the poll. Pics of the actual wheels I'm choosing between are below.

MZ3:

RX-8:

 

[Heat]

You say that it's your wife's car. How does she drive the Mazda5?

Is having tighter handling or a smoother ride more important for her? Which wheel does she prefer?

Personally, I downsized to 16" wheels and love the looks / ride, and the tires are about $30 less per tire than 17" tires (same brand / model).

 

[phunky.buddha]

Oh, we're both pretty aggressive, of course me more than her- but to give you an idea, she refuses to drive automatic, prefers the gokart feel etc- but I thought a smoother ride would still be nice, and that the 17s would still be responsive enough. It'll be lowered on a set of BC coilovers (probably) in a month or two.

 

[Premacy5]

Both are not ideal for your goal. The 17 are too narrow. The 18 would be very stiff and you end up losing traction.
I would vote for something light in 17x8 and 235/45r17 tires. I am not sure it would not rub though. The optimal recommended wheel width for 235/45R17 is 8" but 7.5-9" is acceptable.

How do you fit coil over in the back? Mazda 5 does not use strut in the back. Is there adjustable coil spring for the rear of Mazda5?

 

[phunky.buddha]

I know the 7" wide is not ideal for the 235/45, but the sidewalls I've seen on quite a few of the Nissan and Acura guys with the same setup actually seem to be not too bulgy, if that's a word. Buying lightweight 17x8s works be ideal, but would run almost a thousand just for the wheels too. I'll spend that on the S2000, but not on the 5- that's why I'm looking at Craigslist ads and not Tire Rack.

You really think the 18s will lose traction from the sidewalls being too short? They're still pretty close to stock.

As far as coilovers, the rears can take adjustable springs on collars just like any other suspension that have the springs separate from the shocks. They're not technically coilovers in the rear, but they're still sold as "coilovers" and technically are in the front.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Rx8 rims esp. since ur in TX.

Go 16s or 18s, skip 17s.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Rx8 rims esp. since ur in TX.

Go 16s or 18s, skip 17s.

Wha? If anything, 17s are easier to get tires for... anything over a 225 cross section is near impossible to find in a height that works for the 5 on a 16 inch wheel.

 

[Silentnoise713]

The way I see it, 17s are a compromise (little bit of everything but not enough of anything). Not quite as comfy/cheap as 16s yet not as big/stylish as 18s (I am anti dubs). We’ll leave < 15s to off roaders and in the 90s along with hub caps. Honestly, the Mz5 is not a performance car and no matter how hard you push it with 16, 17, or 18 rim is not going to matter much. Kind of hard to push the limits of a low powered FWD car (assuming the same line of any given tire). If you are lowered, mind as well go with 18s. The rim protector would be a challenge but I believe you mentioned you can fix minor scraps, no? Btw, I had 225 on 15”, now that is what I call rim protector !


This is just my opinion, of course. YMMY


EDIT: The curvy lines of the MS3 rims prob go better with the +2012 cars, whereas the RX8 rim has more of a structured look and lines that go much better with the <2010. Again, just my thoughts.

 

[Premacy5]

17x8 Drag DR-38 are about $500 shipped + tax from Discount Tire direct. It weight 19 Lbs. Not exactly RPF1 light but they are about 3 Lbs lighter than OEM.

18" wheel would require 225/40/18 tires. OEM 50 series are a pretty stiff already.

 

[phunky.buddha]

The way I see it, 17s are a compromise (little bit of everything but not enough of anything). Not quite as comfy/cheap as 16s yet not as big/stylish as 18s (I am anti dubs). We’ll leave < 15s to off roaders and in the 90s along with hub caps. Honestly, the Mz5 is not a performance car and no matter how hard you push it with 16, 17, or 18 rim is not going to matter much. Kind of hard to push the limits of a low powered FWD car (assuming the same line of any given tire). If you are lowered, mind as well go with 18s. The rim protector would be a challenge but I believe you mentioned you can fix minor scraps, no? Btw, I had 225 on 15”, now that is what I call rim protector !
View attachment 190072

This is just my opinion, of course. YMMY


EDIT: The curvy lines of the MS3 rims prob go better with the +2012 cars, whereas the RX8 rim has more of a structured look and lines that go much better with the <2010. Again, just my thoughts.

Ah, I see what you mean. The brakes I want to put in won't fit under 16s though.

17x8 Drag DR-38 are about $500 shipped + tax from Discount Tire direct. It weight 19 Lbs. Not exactly RPF1 light but they are about 3 Lbs lighter than OEM.

18" wheel would require 225/40/18 tires. OEM 50 series are a pretty stiff already.

Ooh, just looked those up- total price is right about $650 delivered though...

 

[phunky.buddha]

Looks like I'm not getting the RX-8 wheels... the deal was just too good to be true. I met the guy last night, and all 4 wheels were curbed all the way around- the lip was ground down to about 1/2 to 1 inch flat all the way around. One was also bent, plus he wanted to go up on the price even more. I guess $300 with sensors and tires was just too good to be true.

On the other hand, I guess I'll be getting NC Miata wheels tonight. 17x7 +55, 17.0 pounds (yay!). 215/50 Michelin MXV4 tires, so the sidewalls in the picture are what I would get with 235/45 tires too. No sensors, but no curbing and no chips. Tried them on the car last week, but the price was too high- he's come down now:

Love the way they look... pics from the big wheel fitment thread:

 

[Rally Man]

Those look nice!

 

[phunky.buddha]

Wheels bought... one has a slight scratch that I should be able to polish out, but they're otherwise all very clean! $300 for all 4 with 215/50 Michelin MXM4 tires on them with a few thousand miles left. The sidewall bulge is pretty minimal with the 215/50, so I think 235/45 will look fine on these wheels and give good rim protection without too much sidewall flex.