2005 Mazda 3 sedan + Enkei LM1-5S

[lprince]

Hi guys,

I just got my 2005 mazda 3 2.0L sedan. In love with the car. So I've been looking for rims and I've narrowed it down to Enkei LM 1-S5 Image is attached.

So Im tryign to decide on 18" wheels or 17" wheels. People have told me 18" will give me tire rubs etc. and that 17" will be safer....whats your take?

Please help me out....

 

[Strobe Media]

Hi guys,

I just got my 2005 mazda 3 2.0L sedan. In love with the car. So I've been looking for rims and I've narrowed it down to Enkei LM 1-S5 Image is attached.

So Im tryign to decide on 18" wheels or 17" wheels. People have told me 18" will give me tire rubs etc. and that 17" will be safer....whats your take?

Please help me out....

18" won't give you rubbing unless your drop it pretty low, but most of the standard lowering springs won't give you a drop that low. I have the OEM wheels on my hatchback and painted them black a few days ago and love them, but between 18" and 17", to each their own.

 

[joshritger]

I would go with the 17s. I have the stock 17" snowflakes on my car and for winter I even when down to a 16" steel wheel. I notice a big difference in ride quality between the 16" and 17". The 16" with snow tires ride so much better over bumps than the 17" do.

Good luck
Josh

 

[lprince]

18" won't give you rubbing unless your drop it pretty low, but most of the standard lowering springs won't give you a drop that low. I have the OEM wheels on my hatchback and painted them black a few days ago and love them, but between 18" and 17", to each their own.

Thanks for your input. I dont think I will be dropping the springs at all. I prefer to have a little gap. So you think I should be fine?

What kind of tires do you recommend?

 

[archie101]

tirerack.com

check it out. enter ur car in and it will tell u how high u can go.

 

[jtieo84]

17"

I can honestly say that 18" wheels look better, but as for ride quality stated earlier.. it's not exactly night and day, but if there was a point before it... it's right there. You also feel the car seem a tad slower with the larger wheels, something with the rotational mass or whatever. I'd go with the 17" with and wider wheel. A friend of mine put the Evo wheels on his car, looks good and seems to function well. But if you're just looking for looks, go for the 18".

 

[ryukensfj]

18in and 17in is the same. If you keep the overall diameter of your tires the same it won't rub. It all depends on the tires, not the size of the wheels. If you go with 18in rims you need 225/40/18, if you go with 17in rims you need either 205/50/17 or 225/45/17.

I would go with 17in rims for the lighter weight and better performance.