18" wheels on stock P5

[Purrfectangel]

I was just wondering...I'm ordering some new wheels for the girl...she currently has the stock 16" madza wheels on her...I would like to upgrade to an 18" wheel but I'm not lowering the car I want to keep it stock height only because it's my daily driver and cleaning snow and ice out in the winter will be a b**** if it's lowered...question is has anyone put 18"s on leaving they're car stock height and if so what size tire did you put on and how does it look...or can this even be done?...right now I have 195/50/R16 tires on my stock and there is about 1" clearance between the top of the tire and the bottom of the spring...I'm alright with putting 17's on but I would like 18 if this is not a huge feat to tackle...my concern is that it may be too tight a fit...any input would be greatly appreciated! Thx.

 

[nate0123]

FUGLY

clearance will be fine if you have the right offset and width, but it will look like ass

 

[CTt3P5]

Yeah, like nate said it isn't going to be pretty. I seriously considered going 18 as well, but had no intentions of lowering either and opted not to. If you do a search for rx-8 wheels and p5's you will get some threads and pics of members with those. Most are lowered but there are a few who aren't yet so you could get some visuals.

As far as tires you will need to run 215/35/18 which I have seen in person. Another reason I decided not to as I didn't want to be bending any rims.

From what I have researched an 18x8 will fit (rx-8 wheel) but will require spacers and rolling of the rear fenders to avoid rubbing. Consult this for a lot more info http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9129

**edit**I stayed with 16's...hope to have pics soon...poor packaging FTL!(argh)

 

[winty87]

Find a nice set of 17's. Your in a P5 not a baller car that you doob cruise in. 18's are just too big for our tiny cars.

 

[altspace]

Lowmotion FTW!

 

[altspace]

Oh...and I love my 18's. I take them off for winter anyway since they also have performance tires. Not good for snow traction.

 

[reynoldsrobbie]

When I bought my car in 2003 I went and got my 18's after only 3000 miles. I was running 215/35/18. I think I ran that for about 2 months or so and got tired of the wheel gap so, I lowered it 1.6" all around. If you gan live with the wheel gap( not much worse than stock ), then go for it!

 

[InFlames]

I like the 18s look on our cars, but imo you have to be lowered they should be lightweight given our weak engines.

 

[Mr.Ames]

I like my 17" mazda 6 rims... any bigger and I swear I'd put a new dent in them every day.
I kept the stockers for my winter tires

 

[reynoldsrobbie]

We dont need no stinking winter tires here in SoCal!!!! LOL!!!

 

[Diehonda]

I like my 17" mazda 6 rims... any bigger and I swear I'd put a new dent in them every day.
I kept the stockers for my winter tires

Do you have any pictures?

 

[Purrfectangel]

Find a nice set of 17's. Your in a P5 not a baller car that you doob cruise in. 18's are just too big for our tiny cars.

hahahahahaha...very true! No I think I'm gonna go with 17's...as much as I like the thought of 18's the 17's will look better...not as gawdy lol. Here's a couple of pics of the ones I'm thinking about, I was looking at some six and seven spoke but I've settled on the five, just looks better IMO..let me know what you think!

 

[Purrfectangel]

Lowmotion FTW!

??? You mean lowmotion as in low and in motion or the website? lol

 

[Mr.Ames]

Do you have any pictures?

Here's a few to give you an idea of what they look like
My car is not dropped... yet
I have more pics I haven't uploaded yet, let me know if you want to see

 

[clicknext]

I think the Mazda6 rims look absolutely awesome. They're so similar to the stock P5 rims, yet they make a huge difference to how the car looks in my opinion.

 

[MyZmZm]

Here's a few to give you an idea of what they look like
My car is not dropped... yet
I have more pics I haven't uploaded yet, let me know if you want to see

hello to another canuck - and from GP no less Edmonton for me...

i do like those wheels from the 6; i don't know why they changed them to the ones on the car now, ugh. i may be a little biased, and i know they're heavy as sin, but i love the msp rh's. clean, simply, classy.

purrfectangel, i like the first ones

 

[Mr.Ames]

i may be a little biased, and i know they're heavy as sin, but i love the msp rh's. clean, simply, classy.

I saw a yellow MSP with RH rims the other day, I couldn't stop staring at them, I was so jealous. I'da bought them but the dealer wanted like $800/rim + $50 for the center caps and I didn't feel like trying to find a used set.

 

[MyZmZm]

I saw a yellow MSP with RH rims the other day, I couldn't stop staring at them, I was so jealous. I'da bought them but the dealer wanted like $800/rim + $50 for the center caps and I didn't feel like trying to find a used set.

yeah, tell me about it... i love them, but there's no way i could justify the price from the dealer, even with my staff disount. i'm very lucky i found a set from a guy in Calgary for $600

 

[MomoP5]

How much do those Volk's cost? I know those are some pretty spendy wheels if you don't find a good deal on them. I like the volk's though, I've always liked them. If you were to go with motegi though and you like the 5 spoke pattern, I would go with RT5's. Heres a couple links.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/17-I...ryZ43957QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mote...ryZ43957QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

 

[y0sky]

18's don't look that bad without being lowered.

I was running 215/35/18 without being lowered in the following pictures.