Mp3 ... Winter time

[gjmoreo]

Hello all ... It's getting to be wintertime here in NY

I have just sold my Tj for some much needed cash and I now (for the first time in over 2 years) have to put winter tires on my Mp3. I need to know what is the recommended rim size. Tire rack list both 15 and 16 rims sizes I know other members have posted about putting 15 steelies on their car, but I have a 2 drop and I want to make sure I have enough clearance.<O</O

What do you all think? Should I go with the 15 rims? Or the 16 rims?<O</O

My wallet is vouching for the 15 rims, and I want to make sure I have good clearance with my 2 drop. Please post away! Thanx!

 

[Stealth5]

no cross posting

 

[Protephile]

Save a couple bucks and get the 15's

 

[PaulMP3]

i have been runnin 15's since i got the car. i think the size is 205/55 R15 but not positive. I had spool springs (supposed 2" drop.....) i have taken road trips with gear and 4 people (snowboards and rack) and no rubbing issues. Im stuck without mine untill thanksgiving when i go home to get them. This is the first time my Racing Harts have seen snow.

 

[gjmoreo]

Paul, how low was your car sitting?
is there a big diff between the 17's with lower profile and the 15's with a higher sidewall?

 

[Protege52003]

I would get the 15's. I am able to get 14's over my capilers on my P5 and the thing is a tank in the winter....the smaller rims and tires are cheaper, too. save a little money?

 

[PaulMP3]

Paul, how low was your car sitting?
is there a big diff between the 17's with lower profile and the 15's with a higher sidewall?

my rear was ~1.5" lower then stock.
When i went on a road trip last winter i had a shitload of wieght in the car, and it never rubbed. Im sure my suspensions bottomed/maxed out at some point, and no rubbing.

I believe the 15's are a tad smaller then the 17's but not positive how much. there is a program that does the calculations somewhere.

With snow tires and a 5speed, these car are awesome in the snow. I feel my motor mounts made getting started a little harder, but still a beast in the snow.
here is a pic lowered o steelies

 

[MP5_509]

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Thats the best tool for tire size calculations.

 

[SKY]

I have 14" on the MP3 since 2 winters

 

[gjmoreo]

... nice, thanks for the info fella's!
15's it is then!

 

[mazdaspeedpower]

14 is sooo small, how can you do that? I thought my 15's we're a good size, on my speed...they look about the same as on you're MP3 there, nice and low. It kinda plows a bit in Deeps snow, so watch out for those little bastard snow plor ridges if you want to keep the front end of your car...My friend hit on in his Integra, and ripped of the entire front clip, and damaged his hood. ******* icey ridges of snow =death to all cars, lowered or not

 

[dag-dabreemie]

Need 15" Winter Steel Rims

So where exactly can I get or find 15" 5-lug winter steel rims cheap or used for my 2002 Mazda Protege 5?? I've called and looked all over the internet and couldn't find any!! Is there a substitute make/model of another type vehicle of steel rims I could use?

 

[roni]

So where exactly can I get or find 15" 5-lug winter steel rims cheap or used for my 2002 Mazda Protege 5?? I've called and looked all over the internet and couldn't find any!! Is there a substitute make/model of another type vehicle of steel rims I could use?

You should really check out the For Sale section (Non-vendors). Do a search in that subsection for snow tires. I got a whole bunch of matches for tire/rim combos that people put up for sale this month.

Tirerack has plenty of snow tires and rim combos for sale.

 

[gjmoreo]

placed my order w/ Tirerack, should receive them anyday now ... I ended up getting Blizzaks, they are kinda pricey and do not have a long tread life so I'll only run them when the first flake flies. Then take tham back off first thing spring.

 

[YellerMP3]

just park the car and run a SUV, saves a lot of time and hassle!!