225/45-17 and choice of rims

[the.jack]

This is my first new thread, though my second actual posting

I'm looking to move up in tires - the dealer who had the 5 put some really bad rubber on the front ("no-season" Nexens) and IMO 205 is just too small a tire for this vehicle anyway (my MSM has 205 and is 1/2 ton lighter!).

From what I've gathered searching here and elsewhere 225/45-17 is a safe size, especially on stock suspension, without rolling. I'm pretty sold on 'Kook V12s as very high-performing DD summer tires, but feel free to interject your opinions, though that is not my direction intention in this thread.

My bigger issue is with wheels. I have found no one (with any vehicle) who has run and reported on the Drag DR-42 (Enkei NT-03+M knockoff) in terms of real world weight (shipping weight seems to be 19lbs or so) and DD level of quality (for bending/breaking as well as finish). But I like the thin multispoke look on the 5 (think OZ Superturismo) and, though I think I'm in the minority on this, I actually like the "inner ring" look. Dark grey on the light grey (Galaxy) of the 5 I think would be understated and sharp.

(Thanks DTD)

Alternatively, I am hearing _fantastic_ things about MB Weapons (A-Tech Erasers). I was leaning towards these for the MS3 as I think it would work better on that and I've seen pics of MZ3 and MS3 owners with it and they do look good. But who knows when (or if) my wife will want rims for her 3 so I can't take that too seriously. It would still look decent and maybe a little less "look at me" speed racer than the ringed wheel of the DR-42.

(Thanks DTD)

Any thoughts for this new guy would be appreciated!

 

[Silentnoise713]

Haven’t tried enough tires to comment but have heard/read that Hankooks overall are good tires for the price. For summer tires, throw on the widest you can fit without rubbing –also great to protect rims from curbing.

I am also a fan of THIN multi spoke rims but I don’t care for the inner ring look. Looks too boy racer-ish. Goes well on smaller cars like a Civic and was quite popular a few years back but not so much on the Mazda5. May go well on the MSM tho!

I don’t care for the MB weapons at all. They look like Enkei RS7 I had, which I grew out of quickly. With this, you really do need to go bigger b/c the bends make the rim look smaller, especially on a car the size of the Mazda5. They are popular on WRXs and probably do go well on the MS3.

It seems you like the old school racer look. I prefer the GT look with 2 piece sets and deep dish with flat center piece. To each his own.

 

[the.jack]

I am pretty set on those Kooks. I ran their Z212 on my old Miata (99) and their MT (RT-03, not the old RT-01) on my Jeep. Both were great tires. Even had their lower end K106 summer tire on my wife's old SAAB 900 and for a cheap summer tire they were pretty well-rounded performers (as a DD). I've even seen them post decent times on autox (another car, Mini S/C). I figure their latest premium offering can only be an iterative improvement in their product line.

I catch what you're throwing on the ringed look; I agree it's racer. I still think it works with the 5's lines and proportions, but I don't want to stand out too much either. So you've given me something to digest.

In terms of the Weapons, I had the same concern (looking smaller with the spoke design). In 18s they would probably work better. But the 18s are 8" and I believe and even with only 225s would be pushing it unless I wanted to roll.

I would love to go with the OZ Supers: thin spoke, no ring. However they are quite a bit more money and don't save much if any weight. Sticking with 17s I'm *less* worried about bad roads messing up the rims so I don't mind saving a few bucks and skipping the big names (though I imagine at least with OZ they are higher quality builds).

I will keep playing around with it. I'd like to do Cobb bars as well, so I'm shooting to keep the WT package under a grand.

Thanks, Silentnoise. It was good to get a response

 

[the.jack]

After this I got into Konig Zero-Ins, but they have that red-stripe. Would look so much cleaner and appropriate for the Galaxy Grey without (just machined and black undercut). Which led me in a totally different direction to the Konig Illusions. Had Heliums on the MSM and autocrossed those for several years (in awful parking lots) so I trust they will hold up. Would be a different look and funky without being boy racer. A bit concerned with a 40 offset, but a 7.5" with a 45 offset should stick out a touch farther and that's a recommended size on TR / DTD, so it seems like it should be safe... If I have to roll, I have to roll. Even DTD lists the Zero-In, which is also 7" @ 40 offset...
Confusing information out there.

 

[MikesMazda5]

After this I got into Konig Zero-Ins, but they have that red-stripe. Would look so much cleaner and appropriate for the Galaxy Grey without (just machined and black undercut). Which led me in a totally different direction to the Konig Illusions. Had Heliums on the MSM and autocrossed those for several years (in awful parking lots) so I trust they will hold up. Would be a different look and funky without being boy racer. A bit concerned with a 40 offset, but a 7.5" with a 45 offset should stick out a touch farther and that's a recommended size on TR / DTD, so it seems like it should be safe... If I have to roll, I have to roll. Even DTD lists the Zero-In, which is also 7" @ 40 offset...
Confusing information out there.

I ran Diamo wheels with a +42 offset with ZERO issues, so doubt you will have any with a +40 offset..

 

[the.jack]

Thanks, Mike. I'm leaning back towards my original decision for the DR-42 (7.5" @ +45 which is actually "worse" than 7" @ +40). I like the combination of thin spoke and inner ring. And the ring - which may or may not be effective on the Drag - is about as thick as Enkei's original design which supposedly is effective, so who knows, maybe it does increase the structure rigidity. In dark grey I think it'll tone down the boy racer aspect. I'd rather not roll. For now good tires and bars will be plenty. We do a lot of driving in it and I don't want to decrease comfort or mess with the camber because of springs. Maybe someday if I get serious and get into TriPoint, but that's a long way off if I even ever take that seriously.

I'll definitely take photos so the forum can compliment and criticize at will It's so much different seeing real world photos compared with those "interactive wheel" tools, DTD's being particularly cartoon-like compared with TR's.

 

[the.jack]

Bought me a set through DTD. Called on Monday, was told the tires were on backorder but they might get the shipment on Tuesday (next day). Well they got them, mounted them and moved them on Tuesday. So they are arriving tomorrow! Nice turn around. I haven't always bought from DTD, but I've had great service every time (no other association except a customer).

I did change my mind AGAIN (I know, I know...) and though I still ordered the Drag DR-42 rims I went with machined face, charcoal "background" and red ring style instead of single-tone charcoal grey. Sometimes two greys look great together, sometimes they "clash", so I thought this was a safer way to go. It'll be a bit racey ricey for sure, but the 06-10 5 bodies have a little of that snotty JDM vibe anyway, IMO. If nothing else it'll be nice to have photos of these wheels on a 5 for the benefit of others. There aren't many photos of these on ANYTHING so I'm a guinea pig I guess.

I haven't found a great source for their weight, but they appear to be anywhere from a hair over 17lbs up to a worst case of 19lbs. Not bad for a cheap wheel, assuming they don't crumble to dust on our wonderful Upstate NY roads...

One thing I never swayed on was the tires: Hankook Ventus Evo V12 K110 in 225/45-17. My only disappointment at this point is that the tire model name isn't longer...

 

[johnsdrop]

Had enkie j10's on 17x7 42 and they stuck out an inch in the front with 215/45-17 cooper zeons on them from my old si, currently running mb comp wheels 16x7 +43 with 215/55/16's cont dws's and they also stick out 1/2 inch or so on the front. getting some webs sport 17x7.5-17 +52 with 215/50-17 512 in a week of two, have to repaint wheels as they were auto crossed last year. They are about as flush as you can get. will post pics as soon as I figure out how.

 

[johnsdrop]

fail...

 

[johnsdrop]

Sorry new to posting... above pictures are the webs sports with comp slicks on them 225/45-17s big and fat and sticky. rim is exactly at edge of fender even with the 52 offset. will post more pictures soon as I hopefully switch the tires. these are the j10's...

 

[the.jack]

I was forewarned about that. Sticking out a bit doesn't bother me (you should see my Jeep and it only has 31X10.5 on it) but being even with the rear I might find more annoying. I'll deal with that when I see it depending on how bad it is.

I'll be sure to take pics showing fitment.

 

[the.jack]

Got them in, but am working tonight so I probably won't get to put them on until tomorrow sometime. However the overall finish is actually a lot better than I anticipated. Drag being a sort of budget "house" brand of DTD, I was figuring I'd be giving up quite a bit of up-close appearance/quality for the price, but it's pretty nice. They look much better than even the enlarged images on DTD's website. This makes them all around better looking than I expected.

What I like least about them [so far] is how good they look "on" (in front of installed rims) the MS3! But having the same, or very similar, wheels on the two would be pure cheese.

What I like best [so far] is the overall rim+tire weight. They are lighter than expected. Our bathroom scale isn't certified of course, but the one I've totally unwrapped was 40.6 lbs. Considering the stock rims with original Toyos on my 05 MSM weighed 39 - 42 each I'm not upset about that. The MSM's being 17X7 with 205/50s and the new rims being 17x7.5 with 225/45s. If the tires are reliably 24lbs as their specs indicate the rims are actually less than 17lbs. Cool.

I wanted to correct what I'd said regarding stock MSM tires - they were 205/*40*-17, not 50. Which only makes sense and no one cares, but I thought about it after the fact and felt dumb since it was my own car...

 

[johnsdrop]

I am looking forward to seeing these tires and rims... need to repaint the weds sports but don't know what color yet...i think lighter maybe?

 

[the.jack]

Yeah, I'm sorry for the delay. I've been busy. I was thinking about staying up extra late and changing them anyway. Then I remembered my impact socket cracked when my wife got a flat with her MS3 going to work and I did a roadside spare change. So I don't actually have a 21mm I can use..I have about 10 (for real) 13/16ths that don't quite fit, but that's it.

I did take pics off the car. I tried lining them up but it looked stupid, so I'll just have to wait until tomorrow (later today). I took a direct shot and a glancing shot so you could see the spokes level out at the rim but angle inwards a bit. Also on DTD the spokes and inner ring looked too thin to support a vehicle. You can see their thickness better in that picture. Also the edge between the machined portion and the grey paint is more rounded and smooth. Again the DTD stock image didn't do the rim justice.

 

[johnsdrop]

What do they weigh? Looks good!

 

[the.jack]

Right about 40 lbs a corner (wheels 16-17lbs, tires 23-24). I just changed them this morning, but I haven't driven yet and will take pics after I move the 5 around and resettle the suspension.

They are _definitely_ lighter than the stock rim/tire combo. I noticed the weight difference right away when I was moving them around so I grabbed the scale again: 45 and up for the stocks. So I saved 4 - 5 lbs per corner and got wider wheels and tires. Not bad!

 

[gino]

I was running Goodyear GS-D3s (205/45/17), changed to 225 Conti ExtremeContact DWs (23#) on the P5. Better ride, stickier, better dry/wet, turn-in and more expensive ($500/set). I'd get another set. As for wheels, I like the ADR Battle (17D/7.00W/40 OS/23#). Makes a heavier combo than I'd like, but works well with castor, camber setup, MSP springs, Blues.

Tire shown is Goodyear, no updated shot of Conti which fills the well better visually.

 

[the.jack]

I really like five-spokes of many varieties and I'm a sucker for blacks, greys and mixed colors. But I wanted something different with the 5. I haven't seen one 5 with non-stock rims so they are all running around with five-spokes. I wanted to get away from that. Nothing wrong with it, just being different.

So far no adverse conditions driving on them. I haven't really thrown them into a turn, but will wait a couple hundred before I really beat on them. Plus my little boy was in the car and he's still a little young for that (10 months).

From a distance, even in bright sun they look like Konig Zero-Ins, as you get closer you see the inner ring. So that's pretty subtle and I like it that way. If you really liked the inner, you should go with a silver or white version!

And... Here are the pics. I took a side shot for "glamour" a close up of the rear to see how there's still some fender room there (so not flush or "over flush" yet) and then a "down the side" shot to show how the fronts just peek out and to be able to compare with how the rears fit.

 

[johnsdrop]

Looks great! I would have thought that the 225's would have stuck out more. How much psi are you running? Any problems with the sidewall height or rubbing in the front? I'll try to post pics of mne with j10's tonight, the fronts stuck out to much to run... Looked good though. Am definitly going to paint the webs sports and mount asap as I feel they fit almost perfectly. May go with 215/50-17s though for a little better ride. More pictures! any rubbing inside fender wells? Tint is great by the way... I have a 2 1/2 year old girl that appreicated not getting sun burned touring the pennsylvania countryside.

 

[the.jack]

Thanks, man. Fits well so far, but I haven't bottomed out yet. I'm a bit concerned about that. At full extension and at "normal rest" there's good clearance to suspension parts. Actually there's a bracket that either the ABS sensor or brake line goes through that, it seems, would be the first to catch, but it's tough to tell with your hand. In any case doesn't seem to have any problems.

35 front 33 rear, for no particular reason... 32 is the threshold for the TPMS, IIRC, but I usually run FWD cars at about 2 psi difference front/rear with such a weight bias.

We have pull down shades on suction cups for the boy on long trips

BTW Weds make some fantastic rims. I just went the cheap route, otherwise they'd be on my list!