Newbie question: 16 inch rims+tires?

[WHT_SPD3]

Hey everyone,
This maybe a stupid question, but I'm planning to get winter tires for my speed 3. Can 16 inch rims+tires even fit on a speed 3? I'm thinking 17s are safe, but I think i'll save a decent amount getting 16s.
Appreciate any help thanks!

 

[skylergrm]

with what i know, if you have stock 17'' inch rims and you go to 16" rims, your spedometer will be saying you are going faster than you really are.

 

[mountjonas]

with what i know, if you have stock 17'' inch rims and you go to 16" rims, your spedometer will be saying you are going faster than you really are.

nope. as long as your tire diameter matches the stock diameter, you're fine as far as the speedometer goes.

i can't help the OP on his question, though.

 

[Sacrilicious]

16" rims are possible, but they're a lot more work to get to fit right. i'm sure there will be a few people in here who will be able to make specific recommendations, but technically speaking, you SHOULD be going with the smallest diameter wheels possible for winter tires, because it allows you a higher profile tire, which will allow for better snow traction. even if you use designated snow tires on our stock 18" rims, the performance in the snow will still be pretty lousy because snow tires are meant to bend and flex like you're driving on jello blocks...as a result, instead of 215/45/18, you would prefer 215/50/17 or even 205/60/16 tires in order to grip the icy/snowy ground better. also, skinnier tires are better for snow too, so you should never go over our stock width (215mm). in order to get proper tire sizing, do some playing around here: http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

basically, all that matters in the end is what your final tire diameter is...just make sure it is within 3% of 215/45/18.

 

[WHT_SPD3]

Great thanks for the advice and the link!

 

[samc86]

i fit 16" toyota supra wheels on my ms3, just had to take a grinder to the hole in the center to make it fit the hub, and use the toyota lug nuts. that and a can of black spray paint, what can i say the price was right. i'm told scrap yards have these wheels for like $25/ea. http://gallery.oracool.net/mazdawheels

 

[WHT_SPD3]

Oh nice handy work! Thanks for the pics and the idea (2thumbs)
A mazda mechanic told me he couldn't fit a 16 inch into a MS3, but you managed it. Do you think there's enough space between the rims and the brake calipers? Thanks again!

 

[samc86]

i haven't measured but they definitely clear, no rubbing or scraping, and i have run the car hard at sebring and several autocross practice days with these wheels. i read on these forums where people had 16" snow tires, and found winter packages at tirerack for running 16" steel wheels and snow tires, that's what gave me the idea to try the 16"s. for competition tires, the 16s are much less $$ than the 18s, and i'm not competing with this car just having fun so i was trying to save some $$.

 

[Young Roids]

^ Yup according to Tirerack they have 16s listed as a size for MS3s. How could tirerack list them if they didn't fit?

 

[Young Roids]

Samc, what size tires are you running on those 16's?

 

[samc86]

225/50ZR-16
had to roll the rear fenders a little.
also, in the kumhos, with the 7.5" rims, i might have been better off with the next size smaller. time will tell.