Tire size for Mazda3 rims?

[Mazda Fan]

Hello everyone,

I have a few questions regarding the Mazda3 fat five spoke 17" x 6.5" rims.
I recentlly bought them used with the stock 205/50/17 tires for my P5.
After searching this site, some people recommend a 205/45/17 over a 205/40/17 for ride quality. I do a tremendous amount of hwy driving and prefer a little more comfort over sportiness. But, I do push the car hard through the corners when I can. My car has a stock suspension that I don't plan on lowering. So if anyone else is running these wheels on their car which tire size would you recommend? Also, will this wheel fit a 215/40 or 45/17 tire?
And if it does, is it better? Thank you in advance.

 

[Mazda Fan]

bump

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

It will fit 215s, but it will be a squeeze. I am running 215s on the stock 16s, and it's great traction. However, the ride quality is not great since they're 40 series. I would go with 205/50 or 205/45...any lower than that and there's going to be a rough ride from not enough tire. Check in the Mz3 forums as well...they'll have some good advice on this.

 

[Mazda Fan]

Thank you Mazdaspeeder
will the 205/45/17 correct the speedometer? It's off about 3mph doing 70 in my p5.
I know that this is a popular wheel choice, so are most people using the 45 series tire on the Protege5 ?

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I believe most are using 45 series, whether it's with stock 16s or 17s. The shorter the sidewall, the less sidewall flex and better handling, but the tradeoff is a rougher ride. Click here for a great resource on tire size comparisons and speedo error.

 

[joe944]

According to tire rack, 205/45 is the correct fitment for a 17" tire on this car, as well as a 17x6.5" tire. People on this site will tell you different, but that is the conservative view. Both tire rack and discount tire said that a 215 will bubble on that rim. I run 205/40 on my mz3 wheels. I would like to upgrade to a 45 series tire because of the bumby ride, but the 205/40 offers some seriously cheap tires, and every tire is available in that size. My 2cents!

 

[carter1551]

According to tire rack, 205/45 is the correct fitment for a 17" tire on this car, as well as a 17x6.5" tire. People on this site will tell you different, but that is the conservative view. Both tire rack and discount tire said that a 215 will bubble on that rim. I run 205/40 on my mz3 wheels. I would like to upgrade to a 45 series tire because of the bumby ride, but the 205/40 offers some seriously cheap tires, and every tire is available in that size. My 2cents!

If you check discount tire it lists 215/50/17 for a mazda3 on stock rims (17*6.5) so why cant we use 215/45/17 without bubbling? That makes no sense and as far as I know 215 will fit fine.

 

[joe944]

It doesn't make sense! I am still obsessing over it! That is just what discounttire, and tire rack have told me, and I am just too conservative to get fancy. There must be someone on this forum who is running a 215 on that rim!!!!!!

 

[carter1551]

It doesn't make sense! I am still obsessing over it! That is just what discounttire, and tire rack have told me, and I am just too conservative to get fancy. There must be someone on this forum who is running a 215 on that rim!!!!!!

well i will be very soon so ill let you know. I have the m3 rims chillin in my garage waiting to be mounted

 

[Mazda Fan]

Carter1551
i'm definitely interested to know how the 215's work out. I have to make my tire selection soon. Also, will the wider tire work with the stock suspension without needing wheel spacers?

 

[carter1551]

I was running a 7" wheel with these tires on stock with no problems so 6.5" should work with even less risk of complications. I will let you guys know. Im hoping to get them mounted in the next week

 

[carter1551]

Hey guys, just wanted to update you. I know some of you were interested in seeing 215's on a 6.5 and if theyd work. Well I got my tires mounted up to some mazda3 rims and they seem to fit fine. The installers didnt mention anything to me about misfitment. I cant say for sure if the tires will bubble but like I said earlier, 215/45/17 is reccommended for a mazda 3 so it should work for us too. Ill post if I have any bubbling or fitment issues but as for now its all good. Ill try to post pics later as well