read somewhere 17" OEM wheel & tire weighs in at 44 lbs. 18" MS3 OEM wheel & tire weighs in at 48 lbs. wheels are 22 and 24 lbs. respectively. and difference in launch response was very noticeable. I came across some 16" alloys that weigh 12 lbs. assuming 205/55R16 tires might be around 20-21 lbs., it's an even bigger rotating weight loss per corner. handling may not be as responsive as 225/40 but shouldnt be terrible either. i dont road rally it like some folks here, but i occasionally launch from traffic lights. i'm thinking this setup might save gas, improve launch response, improve ride comfort, and not give up too much handling. frankly, the 18s i have look and handle great but getting tired of the ride. too many crappy roads around here for my daily driver. any thoughts? thanks.
considering downsizing to 16" alloys
- Thread starter speed5
- Start date
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- 2006 Mazda5 Touring
Remember that when minus sizing you can increase your aspect ratio. That should yield a smoother ride. Now whether or not you can live with the large "dead cat zone" that comes with a 16" wheel with tall tires is entirely up to you.
LOL. Secondtyme, not sure what u mean by "dead cat zone", but I think the look will be like old school JDM. yep taller sidewall, softer and more cushy ride.
Dinoco, yeah those Kosei's are the same ones! What kind of difference did they make? is launch quicker? mpg better? what tires did you choose? I'm considering LRR rated tires with high treadwear. Looking at ways to maximize mpg as well.
Dinoco, yeah those Kosei's are the same ones! What kind of difference did they make? is launch quicker? mpg better? what tires did you choose? I'm considering LRR rated tires with high treadwear. Looking at ways to maximize mpg as well.
I would expect a bit of a trade-off in the handling department, especially switching to low rolling resistance tires and 16" wheels. Taller sidewall+ less grippy rubber = less traction (and possibly stability) in corners. I drop down to 16 inch steelies and snow tires for winter. I'm reminded of how much less grip I have the first time I go into a turn too quickly. Winter tires aren't LRR, but point is the same.
I'm all for the weight savings and economy, but part of the fun of the 5 is the simple goodness of the chassis (for what it is). LRR tires and smaller wheels would give up some of that.
Dead cat zone, I think, is the space between the wheelwell and the top of the tire. Maybe some light 17 inch wheels?
I'm all for the weight savings and economy, but part of the fun of the 5 is the simple goodness of the chassis (for what it is). LRR tires and smaller wheels would give up some of that.
Dead cat zone, I think, is the space between the wheelwell and the top of the tire. Maybe some light 17 inch wheels?
thx for the comments. i think i'll still go with the 16" Kosei's but pass on the LRR. not reading too much significant benefit from LRR. i can still get grippy non-LRR tires. since outside dia. will be maintained, i won't have much "dead cat zone". already dropped on H&R springs.
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- 2008 Mazda5 GT
Sounds like you know what you want and I think 16" will work out fine for you. I recommend checking Prius or hyper miller forums to get some feedback on low resistance/long wear tires. There will be trade-offs and as long as you know and accept them, you are good to go.
I putt Pirelli Cinturado P7 LRR on my K4Rs. Much more grip than the stock crap tires. These tires have amazing grip but more importantly to me.... They are super light. Paired twith the Kosei rims I shaved 15 lbs a corner.
You can really feel the dif in acceleration from a stop. MPG has gone up by between 2 to 5 mpg per tank depending on type of driving.
Don't write off LRR tires. I have been pleasantly surprised by the Pirellis.
Also. Do some research on 16 vs 17 inch. You will find that most people who auto cross prefer smaller wheels. I debated it for a month. Happy I went with 16.
Will be ordering duplicate setup this week for the wife.
As soon as they are on the 5 I will post pics.
Can post pics of them on the 3 if you all want
You can really feel the dif in acceleration from a stop. MPG has gone up by between 2 to 5 mpg per tank depending on type of driving.
Don't write off LRR tires. I have been pleasantly surprised by the Pirellis.
Also. Do some research on 16 vs 17 inch. You will find that most people who auto cross prefer smaller wheels. I debated it for a month. Happy I went with 16.
Will be ordering duplicate setup this week for the wife.
As soon as they are on the 5 I will post pics.
Can post pics of them on the 3 if you all want
CrunchyCookie
Member
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- 2006 Mazda 3 + 2009 Mazda 5
I also favor the switch to 16s; 205/50R17 always struck me as a bit extreme for a default OEM size. Most people don't need 0.80g of grip in a minivan, not to mention the higher road noise, ride harshness, and cost of replacement that goes with it.
I'd like to install the 16" wheels from a first-generation Mazda 3 i. They have the same 5x114 bolt pattern and 6.5" width as our wheels, but does anyone know if there are any compatibility issues with offset/backspacing (or anything else)?
I'd like to install the 16" wheels from a first-generation Mazda 3 i. They have the same 5x114 bolt pattern and 6.5" width as our wheels, but does anyone know if there are any compatibility issues with offset/backspacing (or anything else)?
Good point, that is not nearly enough. BFG Rivals in a 225/50/16 ought to do just fine!
I went with 16" wheels / tires on my Mazda5 a couple of years ago, I love them. Smoother ride and the wheels are about $30 cheaper per wheel compared to comparable 17" wheels, and there are a lot more choices in the 16" size. I use Michelin Exaltos. The total cost for all four wheels / tires with warranty and transferring the TPMS from the old tires was about $1,200 or $1,300 if I remember right. I got to use the warranty just last week, I ran over a razor blade on the interstate. Weird.
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rodslinger
Member
I was actually thinking of doing this too. Just to have a more tolerable set of wheels and tires for the insane road trips I take. There was a 16" wheel for the base model RX-8 and that is what I was considering. They are a 16x7.5 and should be a perfect fit. Could probably get some grippy yet lightweight Conti tires and have a decent highway traveler but still have some good grip.
They look like these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Refinished-..._Car_Truck_Wheels&hash=item25704a686d&vxp=mtr
They look like these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Refinished-..._Car_Truck_Wheels&hash=item25704a686d&vxp=mtr
Heat, the color combo looks great on your 5.
rodslinger, I found some specs "Rotarynews.com" posted on RX8Club.com that the stock 16" alloys are 16.3 lbs. This is a worthwhile option to consider to keep it looking stock.
I still need to unload my rims first before I jump on anything. I dont want possession of 4 sets of wheels/tires for my 5. garage way too crammed already; 3 sets now for my 5, 2 sets for wife's bimmer, and 2 sets for my beater Honda.
dinoco, did u get those 16" Kosei's yet on your 5?
rodslinger, I found some specs "Rotarynews.com" posted on RX8Club.com that the stock 16" alloys are 16.3 lbs. This is a worthwhile option to consider to keep it looking stock.
I still need to unload my rims first before I jump on anything. I dont want possession of 4 sets of wheels/tires for my 5. garage way too crammed already; 3 sets now for my 5, 2 sets for wife's bimmer, and 2 sets for my beater Honda.
dinoco, did u get those 16" Kosei's yet on your 5?
Out of curiosity, what are you asking for your 17" rims / wheels? I'll probably be selling mine at some point, though I took the TPMS off (transferred to the new rims). My thought was to buy snow tires for the 17s at some point but we really don't need snow tires in central Illinois.
