New Wheels...What to chose!?

[flany13]

Hey guys, I am trying to decide on some new wheels and tires for my White 2009 Mazda 3 Hatchback.

I have been leaning heavily towards the 18" Enkie Imola Wheels - Love the look of fewer thicker spokes.

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for wheel brand. Also if there are any wheels you know of that have the same sort of style as the Enkei Imola.

As for my current set up, I plan to leave the stock suspension...for now. What sort of offset would I be looking at if I went with like a 225-35-18 tire? As for a NOOB question, How do you go about offsetting a wheel? What is needed?


Thanks guys.

 

[Alejo_NIN]

i like

 

[Alejo_NIN]

so i googled these wheels and look what came up.
http://www.forteforums.com/forums/koup-wheels-tires/7399-installing-18-enkei-imola-my-koup-soon.html

KIA, seriously? lol. nevertheless, awesome wheels..but i guess someone riced them out already..

 

[flany13]

HAHA nice find man! Oh KIA... what would posses someone to even buy that car brand!? Thanks for the positive opinion!

 

[xMazdax]

Dont get a 35 series tire. The ride is going to suck horribly. Stick with a 40 on our cars. Im running 225/40/18 and its rides great, also im lowered so...

I like those wheels. Try to find a wheel with a around +30-+40 offset. That will make it look somewhat flush.

When looking for wheels try to find a "ET" followed by a number like 30 or 40 for the offest.

 

[flany13]

I believe it says the offset on the Imola wheels are +50 so those would be set in about the same amount as my stock wheels...correct?

 

[flany13]

Do you think i would be able to fit my current tires onto the 18's?

 

[xMazdax]

+50 will still sit inside the fender.

If you are on the stock 17" wheels and tires. No your tires wont fit. You need a 18" tire.

 

[flany13]

Are there any sort of spacers I can purchase that can lower my offset to like +40?

 

[xMazdax]

Yes, there are a number of different spacers you can buy to equal your offset out. BUT make sure if you get anything over i believe a 15mm spacer...you need to get one with studs in them already, Like this...
<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/02856764000.jpg/'><img src='http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6623/02856764000.jpg' border='0'/></a>

Personally, I would get something with around +30 - +40 offset. Also, if you plan on lowering the car in the future. You will need to roll your rear fenders accordingly to a bigger offset like a +20 or lower.

Hope this helps.

 

[flany13]

So basically if i get a wheel with a +50 offset and then purchase a 10-15mm spacer my wheels offset would now be +40 to +35? And you say that i would be fine without rolling my fenders if i'm still running on stock suspension?

 

[xMazdax]

That seems like a plan. Be careful on spacers though, make sure you can get at LEAST 8 turns with the lug. I dont trust them and im using them :0 lol Youll be more then fine on stock HEIGHT with that kind of offset. Go for it!

 

[babybawse]

where do you buy these?

 

[xMazdax]

Online, honestly. don't trust spacers. just get wheels with a high +30 offset.