So then
02 16" are light weight but can only fit up to 205"?
03 16" are light weight but can only fit up to 215"?
What type of lightweight rim would fit 225" and not weigh more than 16 pounds?
I've noted it below as well, but why would you need a 225 wide tire? Esp. on a Protege.....I personally would suggest anything wider than a 205 is overkill.
The 2002 and 2003 wheels should be identical in every way other than aesthetically.
Also, why do wheel manufactors hide the weight of the wheel? I mean really, how I am suppose to be an informed shopper?
The weight of the MSP wheels aren't "hidden" as they are OEM wheels, intended to stay on the intended vehicle for the life of it: the Mazdaspeed Protege.
You cannot buy these new other than via the dealer. Enkei no longer makes them. True Racing Hart wheels can be purchased from your dealer or Mazdaspeed Motorsports*
All aftermarket wheels have their weights published in some manner; there is no hidden agenda.
Some corrections (as one has been noted above - the weight)
1) The "chrome" 2002-2003 Protege5 wheels are NOT chromed. They are aluminum, polished, and clearcoated there-after. No chrome involved.
2) As far as weight goes, the MSP wheels are far heavier than the OEM Protege5 wheels.
With a winter tire (195/50/16) on the 16", I'm able to pick up and carry two with each hand w/o problem. With the MSP wheels (with tire, 215/45/17), I can only lift one at time.
They are heavier and if one cannot perceive a difference in acceleration, I can only suggest that you're unconsciously compensating (your fuel mileage will be a distinct indicator of that). If you drive a manual, that perception will be more evident in your shifting habits.
Also, while the 17's may help in handling, the MSP wheels are also more unsprung mass, and in a turn, they become rotating inertia once you're in motion swinging around a curve that the stock suspension has a hard time dealing with keeping planted.
I can speak to this as I have a Protege5 with OEM "chrome" wheels serving as my winter wheels and MSP wheels for the summer for the past 3 years, two years on stock suspension. I see the performance "contrasts" every time I swap wheels.
The MSP wheels sure as hell look nice, but that's about all.
*someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Well the only thing that improve the handling was the width of the tire. If you could find a wheel that is as light as the stock 16" oem wheel, but got msp width, it would be a win-win.
That's exactly what I'm looking for (I could live with a 6.5" wide tire that -I personally think anything over a 205 on the Protege is overkill).
