Can we put the max tire size issue to rest?

[absolutamente]

Maybe I haven't looked hard enough, but I have not found a definitive answer to what the maximum tire width that will fit under a MS3 without rubbing is, and what wheel off-set is required to facilitate it. Can anyone help me out? I have seen quite a bit about 235 with 18 x 8 +45. Is this the magic number? I did the math and this is not what I came up with. But, often times the numbers don't tell the whole story anyway.

 

[aaronc7]

i am on 18 x 7.5 +45 with stock tires...lowered 1" with cobb springs and its close when turning in the front. Even before lowered it was. Is there a certain setup youre looking at? If you want a big wide tire stock offset would be ideal

 

[jp4130]

Maybe I haven't looked hard enough, but I have not found a definitive answer to what the maximum tire width that will fit under a MS3 without rubbing is, and what wheel off-set is required to facilitate it. Can anyone help me out? I have seen quite a bit about 235 with 18 x 8 +45. Is this the magic number? I did the math and this is not what I came up with. But, often times the numbers don't tell the whole story anyway.

This is pretty "definitve" at least for the right offset: 18/8.5 53mm

Anybody running wider wheels than this?

 

[Hirudin]

This is pretty "definitve" at least for the right offset: 18/8.5 53mm

Anybody running wider wheels than this?

I highly doubt it!

You're on 235/40 18s right?

 

[Demi]

This is pretty "definitve" at least for the right offset: 18/8.5 53mm

Anybody running wider wheels than this?

Wow thats what youre running? Does it rub?

 

[jp4130]

I highly doubt it!

You're on 235/40 18s right?

yes

Wow thats what youre running? Does it rub?

Not at stock ride hieght; I will find out in the spring if they rub with my coilovers installed.(canada)

 

[absolutamente]

Looks like you cut that one extremely close. I will be installing a set of Mazdaspeed drop springs with a camber kit rights after the snow melts. It is after this that I intend to purchase new wheels and tires. I assume I should expect the same results as have been seen with the COBB kit. Why did you go with 8.5" instead of 8"? You should be able to mount 235mm either way, right? Do you think this would provide more clearance for the tire or just cause a balloon affect?

 

[fourthmeal]

I think that wheel doesn't come in an 8 with the right offset. Personally, I LOVE his WEDSPORT (or are those Work?) wheels. Yes, it is extremely close, but if everything stays aligned right (no bent strut, no worn bearings) it should stay that tight without trouble. It is so close it just makes you cringe, but man the look on the outside is stellar.

 

[absolutamente]

Yes, I agree, the Wedsports are super bad ass. Do you think the tolerance from one wheel brand to another is close enough that I should be able to expect a similar fit with a different brand? It just seems that with the rims that close, I might go to a different brand who measures this different and yeilds a different result with the same offset and width. Maybe I'm thinking too much into it.

 

[fourthmeal]

IMO, the most ideal size to fit our car is 18x8, RX8 wheels. This is only by memory, but I think the offset is ~51mm, and they do fit perfectly on our car. 235/40-18's or if you want to push it, 245/40-18. I think with 245's, we are near PERFECT for circumference compared with stock, so it is the most ideal. The problem with 245's is that they may rub on the rear, so fender rolling or lip shaving may be necessary. I love wide rubber, so it may be worth it to try.

The biggest problem out there for us is the offset. Most 18x8's are made with 35-40mm offset, and a handful are 45mm. A tiny fraction of the entire population of available wheels has an offset of 48mm+ for us. Add to that trouble that Mazda has one of the largest wheel hub diameters, and a large brake package, and you have one rare set of wheel choices.

I'm still looking for the perfect wheel myself. The Wedsport is very close to what I want, but I'm still searching.

 

[All4BeSpinnin]

I would drop to a 17" wheel myself. If it it clears the front brakes why run something bigger and heavier. 18" just look too big on a hatchback for me. I think a 17x8 (48mm offset) with a 245/40/17 would probably work. Maybe some slight rub in the back with weight.

Then buy a pair of 16x8 for the strip and throw some drag radials on it.

 

[fourthmeal]

The biggest reason I wouldn't go to a 17 is due to the sidewall being much softer (relatively) compared with the same comparable 18. This car is as nimble as it is because of this, I think. Racing tires would obviously be excluded, since they are engineered to do this as-is, but street tires aren't as tough.

I'm a big fan of 18's or 19's on this car. 18's seems nearly ideal given all the variables. A 48mm offset on an 18x8 or 17x8 will likely rub on a 245, but not a 235 (without rolling fenders, naturally.) Its SO close even with a 235. A slightly higher offset should work (say 51mm+), I know it seems like so trivial, but the tolerances are very close.

 

[jp4130]

Looks like you cut that one extremely close. I will be installing a set of Mazdaspeed drop springs with a camber kit rights after the snow melts. It is after this that I intend to purchase new wheels and tires. I assume I should expect the same results as have been seen with the COBB kit. Why did you go with 8.5" instead of 8"? You should be able to mount 235mm either way, right? Do you think this would provide more clearance for the tire or just cause a balloon affect?

I went 8.5" for the crisp feel; 235 or 245 feels better at this width. I hate the sloppy feeling that you get when your tire is to wide for the rim. 235 is the highest you can go with an 8", 245 is really pushing it.

Yes, I agree, the Wedsports are super bad ass. Do you think the tolerance from one wheel brand to another is close enough that I should be able to expect a similar fit with a different brand? It just seems that with the rims that close, I might go to a different brand who measures this different and yeilds a different result with the same offset and width. Maybe I'm thinking too much into it.

Rims are built to very precise tolerances, so in theory a certian size and offset should not be different between different brands.

 

[Young Roids]

DSG I think it was had 245s on their MS3(you know the one that was SUPPOSED to be AWD). I don't know how they did it like what offset they used or if they rolled the fenders.

For me personally I am thinking about doing a 235/35/19 with the enkei rpf1 at 19"x8" with a 48 offset(wheel pictured below)

 

[fourthmeal]

That aught to do YoungRoids! I'd love to see pics of the result.

 

[jp4130]

That aught to do YoungRoids! I'd love to see pics of the result.

+ 1 (thumb)
Very nice choice on wheels
I would like to know how that short sidewall feels/works.
post results.

 

[Young Roids]

It might be awhile before I have the money saved up for that setup, but that will be what I am gonna go with. So figure when my stck bridgestones need replacement I will get my enkeis(the car is brand new right now with 200 miles).

 

[fourthmeal]

For me, I have about 14k on the stock tires, and they're somewhere near 1/2 tread. Not bad, IMO, given that I tend to not be very easy on tires at all.

 

[aaronc7]

I am on 18x7.5" +45. You think 225/40 is the widest I can go? Lowered 1" on cobb springs too. I am on stock rubber now, I don't have a ton of room left in the wheel well but never had any rubbing, even with 4 passengers.

 

[pidass15]

I also have Cobb springs so lowered ~1". What is the widest tire I can run on stock rims? 225/45??