New Rims and Tires!

[drledford93]

These are my new babies--Enkei EMK3, 17x7, e45 with 235/45 BFG super sport a/s tires. These tires are the best I've had on the car, even better than the summer re050s that were OEM.

I even painted my calipers red today. I'll put some mazdaspeed stickers on them when they come next week. I'll post more pics then.

Enjoy!

Daniel

 

[drledford93]

Sorry for the sideways image above. Here's the corrected one...

(Also, I didn't even see the other poster's thread about these wheels! I hope he doesn't live anywhere close to me...)

Daniel

 

[gudzspeed3]

looks really good. best 17 inch wheels ive seen on a black car. y did u get a smaller size rather than sticking with 18s?

 

[drledford93]

looks really good. best 17 inch wheels ive seen on a black car. y did u get a smaller size rather than sticking with 18s?

Thanks! I appreciate it.

Thought I'd rather go with 17s for several reasons. First, less weight. Second, cheaper. There you go.

Daniel

 

[drledford93]

No other thoughts?(squinty)

 

[jam_asian85]

wheels look nice but why didn't you go wider? any future mods for suspension?

 

[Olestra]

Very nice rims and tires.

Just wondering why did you put a 235 tire on a 7 inch wheel? The tires look like they bulge out quite a bit.

 

[drledford93]

Very nice rims and tires.

Just wondering why did you put a 235 tire on a 7 inch wheel? The tires look like they bulge out quite a bit.

I really liked these wheels and didn't really see the need to go wider. Since a 235 fits on a 7" rim, that was good for me. If you look closely, there is hardly any bulge at all. The Tire Rack wouldn't put them on, but I don't understand why not. it's really not a squeeze at all. The tire does not stick out beyond the face of the wheel (and the wheel doesn't stick out...).

(Before all you tire nazis come out of the woodwork--I don't care what you say. This is about grip and driving feel and it feels great and grips very well.)

No future suspension mods, as I have an 11 month old and will have one more coming sometime. That counts out big suspension mods. I do have a rear sway bar, but that's it.

Thanks for the comments! i appreciate it!

 

[BlueEmPee5]

I really liked these wheels and didn't really see the need to go wider. Since a 235 fits on a 7" rim, that was good for me. If you look closely, there is hardly any bulge at all. The Tire Rack wouldn't put them on, but I don't understand why not. it's really not a squeeze at all. The tire does not stick out beyond the face of the wheel (and the wheel doesn't stick out...).

(Before all you tire nazis come out of the woodwork--I don't care what you say. This is about grip and driving feel and it feels great and grips very well.)

No future suspension mods, as I have an 11 month old and will have one more coming sometime. That counts out big suspension mods. I do have a rear sway bar, but that's it.

Thanks for the comments! i appreciate it!

Safety at it's finest. (uhm)

BFG's book says that tire needs a 7.5" to 9" wide wheel for mounting.

Hence the reason tirerack wouldn't mount it.

 

[drledford93]

Safety at it's finest. (uhm)

BFG's book says that tire needs a 7.5" to 9" wide wheel for mounting.

Hence the reason tirerack wouldn't mount it.

All TR is trying to do is to avoid a lawsuit. Nothing more.

235 on a 9" rim? Yeah, right. Just like Mazda just couldn't put a 225 tire OEM on the MS3.

Flame me as you wish, but you are the type that would believe most anything, just because it's said. I go by those that have experience and that trumps those afraid of litigation.

 

[BlueEmPee5]

All TR is trying to do is to avoid a lawsuit. Nothing more.

235 on a 9" rim? Yeah, right. Just like Mazda just couldn't put a 225 tire OEM on the MS3.

Flame me as you wish, but you are the type that would believe most anything, just because it's said. I go by those that have experience and that trumps those afraid of litigation.

Yeah I guess BFG aka Michelin, didn't put any money or time into research and development when they designed that tire. You must know best.

 

[drledford93]

Yeah I guess BFG aka Michelin, didn't put any money or time into research and development when they designed that tire. You must know best.

No, but my mechanic with 20+ years of tire mounting experience gave it his blessing knowing all about these tires. (headshake

 

[SwampAss]

If your mechanic has been mounting tires for 20 years....there's a reason he's not your mechanic with 20 years engine build experience.

 

[zx2man]

I love the ekm3's I think their a good fit for the speed3...Honestly Id prabaly go 18x7.5..but thats just cause I like the look of the 18's and want something wider than a 7...But **** it man..if it works for you then hey thats all that really matters..its your car and your money and you are entitled to do whatever you want, thats how i see it. Plus im no tire expert anyways..anyways goodshit

 

[drledford93]

If your mechanic has been mounting tires for 20 years....there's a reason he's not your mechanic with 20 years engine build experience.

Actually, he does.

 

[mr_mazda329]

BFG also says not to mount the 225's on a 6.5 wheel. Its been done and tracked the piss out of with no problems. Running more rubber is better than having stretched all the hell rubber.

Op...the wheels look good. nice choice.

 

[stageup]

good looking rims

 

[Speedkid]

Nice

 

[Huligan]

daylight pics plz!!!

 

[1971Zed]

With respect to what size to run. I would believe michelin trumps all. I would follow their recommendations. To the dude who says his mechanic can mount them, that means exactly squat.

Just because something is possible does not mean its desirable. Perhaps you can mount a 225 on a 9.5" rim, but should you. Perhaps the tire is out of its intended operating range and sacrifices ride, handling, durability, toughness, load carrying etc. I can fit a square peg in a round hole, with enough force, but should I?

Of course if your into looks over function, and are a member of the wider is better stretched tire moron club, then my post is not for you. But for those who want their car to ride and drive as the engineers intended, choose your wheels and tires carefully. I for one would NEVER put any tire wheel combo on my car that would result in negative handling/ride characteristics from the awesome stock ride. I think it can be made better without losing too much, but overkill is the excuse of the poorly thought out.