New Wheels...Graphite or Silver? 2021 CX-5

[piggybaconp]

I purchased a 2021 CX-5 Sport and was extremely unhappy with the look of the 17 inch stock wheels. After debating for 2 weeks, I decided to go with 20 inch Fittipaldi graphite wheels. My question is this: do the graphite look good or should I have gone with silver?

 

[N7turbo]

Those look nice. Is there any metallic flake in the finish? They look matte, is that right?

 

[piggybaconp]

Those look nice. Is there any metallic flake in the finish? They look matte, is that right?

Thank you. There is metallic flake so they have a semi gloss look. I'm very happy with them but I'm always second guessing myself lol

 

[N7turbo]

In that case, they will brighten up in sunlight. That's the way I went with my gloss gunmetal. Just bright enough but not too blingy for me.

 

[piggybaconp]

In that case, they will brighten up in sunlight. That's the way I went with my gloss gunmetal. Just bright enough but not too blingy for me.

That's exactly what they do. They look matte in low light but really shine in the sun.

 

[Chas]

I purchased a 2021 CX-5 Sport and was extremely unhappy with the look of the 17 inch stock wheels. After debating for 2 weeks, I decided to go with 20 inch Fittipaldi graphite wheels. My question is this: do the graphite look good or should I have gone with silver?

FWIW

We have a 21 CX5 Signature and it comes with graphite-ish 19’s and we like it. Yours looks great!

So do you know the weight difference between the 17 wheel/tire unit vs the 19’s? Is there a handling difference?

In my limited experience, one time replacing 18 inch PAX run flats with BBS forged RS units on an Acura, I saved something like 80 lbs unsprung weight and the handling difference was remarkable, even discounting the lower profile tires!

Second time is on my WRX where I replaced my 18x8.5 summer package (Enkei made OEM) with Moreno Racing 17x8 winter package, the handling difference is again remarkable saving 20+ lbs unsprung weight. The car feels much lighter on its feet, brakes and rides well. You can easily tell that the 17’s are much lighter in weight than the OEM 18 wheel/tire unit.

The winter tires are 20 mm narrower section and higher aspect ratio, and you can tell that there is much less grip at speed and corners, but that is not why I got winter tires. At reasonable speeds I want winter performance in snowy weather or very cold temps that my summers cannot give.

 

[piggybaconp]

FWIW

We have a 21 CX5 Signature and it comes with graphite-ish 19’s and we like it. Yours looks great!

So do you know the weight difference between the 17 wheel/tire unit vs the 19’s? Is there a handling difference?

In my limited experience, one time replacing 18 inch PAX run flats with BBS forged RS units on an Acura, I saved something like 80 lbs unsprung weight and the handling difference was remarkable, even discounting the lower profile tires!

Second time is on my WRX where I replaced my 18x8.5 summer package (Enkei made OEM) with Moreno Racing 17x8 winter package, the handling difference is again remarkable saving 20+ lbs unsprung weight. The car feels much lighter on its feet, brakes and rides well. You can easily tell that the 17’s are much lighter in weight than the OEM 18 wheel/tire unit.

The winter tires are 20 mm narrower section and higher aspect ratio, and you can tell that there is much less grip at speed and corners, but that is not why I got winter tires. At reasonable speeds I want winter performance in snowy weather or very cold temps that my summers cannot give.

The CX-5 handles so well with stock wheels, it's tough to feel a huge difference. I went with 255-45-20 tires so the handling is definitely better though. I was,worried about the ride quality but the sidewalls are still big enough to absorb road imperfections. I'm very happy with the look, they fit better in the cavernous wheel wells. I would like to drop it a couple inches...

 

[N7turbo]

I changed from stock 19x7 to 20x9 and saved 26.5 lbs total, including tires, which were also slightly lighter.

 

[piggybaconp]

I changed from stock 19x7 to 20x9 and saved 26.5 lbs total, including tires, which were also slightly lighter.

 

[piggybaconp]

Nice! I thought about going with 20 x 9 to push the wheels out a bit, but I just went with 8.5 that were offset a bit. That's one thing mazda didn't get right (at least with the 17 inch wheels), the stock wheels sit too far in and don't look right in those huge wheel wells lol

 

[N7turbo]

They do it on their mass market cars it seems. It helps keep the car clean, but it doesn't look the best.

9" wheels are harder to find. Most are 8.5".

 

[piggybaconp]

They do it on their mass market cars it seems. It helps keep the car clean, but it doesn't look the best.

9" wheels are harder to find. Most are 8.5".

You ate right abo

They do it on their mass market cars it seems. It helps keep the car clean, but it doesn't look the best.

9" wheels are harder to find. Most are 8.5".

Yeah they are. I researched forever to find the best look that would fit without problems. Tbh I would have loved 22 inch wheels but the ride quality and my wallet would have been adversely affected lol

 

[vrsick]

Looks good!

 

[piggybaconp]

Looks good!

Thanks