TireRack info about Speed3 wheels

[jheer]

I just got off the phone with TireRack. One of their tire research guys bought a Mazdaspeed3 this week and has now determined which wheels will fit the MS3. The information should go live on their website in the next day or two.

Until then, here's what they said:

16-inch steel wheels - $49 each

Many options available in 16-inch ALLOY wheels, including TireRack's last full set of white Kosei K1 Racing wheels (which I promptly bought with Blizzak REVO 1 in 205/60/16), many for less than $100 each (Sport Edition F2, F6, F7, E1, E2, E3, D3 and D4).

The 16-inch wheels all seem to come with either 40 or 50 offset (one with 42 offset).

Kudos to TireRack for doing our research for us.


Edit: TireRack had only 3 white Kosei K1 Racing wheels in 16 inch, so I had to choose another wheel. I decided on Sport Edition D4's which are virtually the same lightweight (~16 lbs.).

 

[AG DesignWorks]

Great! I've been checking the site every few days, as i didnt think it would take long to get one fitted and spec'd for their wheels.

 

[Albert]

Here's my MS3 with the 16" steelies and Dunlop Wintersport M3's (from Tirerack):

 

[jheer]

Here's my MS3 with the 16" steelies and Dunlop Wintersport M3's (from Tirerack):

Wow. Thanks for posting those photos. That really helps me to picture what mine will look like when my 16-inch wheels with 205/60/16 Blizzak REVO's arrive on Tuesday. I went with the Sport Edition D4's rather than steel wheels just cuz I don't care for black wheels. I suppose I could have painted them silver or something.

Question: with the additional clearance inside the wheel well (which is quite noticeable in the photos), do you think it will allow for more snow/ice build up inside the wheel well? Or will the added clearance allow the snow/ice build up to fall out? I'm wondering if the added clearance will make driving in deep snow worse or better.

Comments anyone?

 

[Albert]

I read somewhere that if you have a problem with snow building up in the wheel wells, you can take one of the many tire foam products, spray it inside the wheel well (when it's clear of snow, obviously), and it'll help prevent it from building up in there.

 

[nocoastgangster]

tire rack

I went on tirerack this morning and they had 74 rims for the MS3.

 

[nocoastgangster]

tire rack

I went on tirerack this morning and they had 74 rims for the MS3. I like the gram lights bronze color!

 

[jheer]

I read somewhere that if you have a problem with snow building up in the wheel wells, you can take one of the many tire foam products, spray it inside the wheel well (when it's clear of snow, obviously), and it'll help prevent it from building up in there.

Cool. I'll try that when my snow tires/wheels arrive.

 

[jacen]

I thought I saw something on the SE-R list about you buying a speed3 also. Nice job!

Snow tires and rims will be ordered soon, thanks for the info on Tirerack.

 

[jacen]

What about the tire pressure monitoring system? I've never had one of these before; are you putting winter tires on without sending units?

 

[RPI-Speed3]

TireRack is usually good about supplying rims that support TPMS. However, everyone should ask this question when they are buying rims. Its not a big deal, my summer/track rims for my RX-8 don't take the TPMS, but I'm checking my tire pressures twice a week. I would be interested to know from all the folks who bought winter rims if they support TPMS.

 

[jheer]

I thought I saw something on the SE-R list about you buying a speed3 also. Nice job!

Hey jacen! Great to see a familiar sig on these new (to me) forums.

You will love the MS3. When is yours supposed to arrive?

 

[jheer]

TireRack is usually good about supplying rims that support TPMS. However, everyone should ask this question when they are buying rims. Its not a big deal, my summer/track rims for my RX-8 don't take the TPMS, but I'm checking my tire pressures twice a week. I would be interested to know from all the folks who bought winter rims if they support TPMS.

I will find out today - my wheels/tires are being delivered from TireRack by FedEx today.

 

[jacen]

What I really need to know about the TPMS is what the car/ECU/ABS control will do if I install winter tires without the system. Does it effect the traction control system, create a check engine light or something, or just light up an idiot light on the dash that I can ignore? I don't need the system, but if the car does...

John, maybe we'll end up at the great lakes bash in identical non-SR20 cars. On second thought, I'm probably still taking the VE with the extra safety features for track events

 

[jacen]

Hey jacen! Great to see a familiar sig on these new (to me) forums.

You will love the MS3. When is yours supposed to arrive?

End of the month, but no actual date has been given yet.

 

[WagonMan]

I will find out today - my wheels/tires are being delivered from TireRack by FedEx today.

There is a familiar name, I used to be on the SR20DE boards all the time when I had a G20 that I turbocharged. I replaced that car with a 540 wagon when the kids came, and have just added an MS3 to the stable.

 

[jheer]

There is a familiar name, I used to be on the SR20DE boards all the time when I had a G20 that I turbocharged. I replaced that car with a 540 wagon when the kids came, and have just added an MS3 to the stable.

This IS funny. Maybe we should start a subforum for former owners of SR20 cars? Good to see we are all thinking along the same lines with the MS3.

I really think of the MS3 in the same way I did of the original SE-R when I bought it back in 1991. It is the best thing out there for the money, and it is such a sleeper!

 

[jacen]

Former and current, in my case.

Back on topic, searching the other forums here for Mazda's with TPMS's showed these other Mazda's would have a light on the dash but it wouldn't effect anything else. I hope that is the case for the Speed3!

 

[jheer]

Former and current, in my case.

Back on topic, searching the other forums here for Mazda's with TPMS's showed these other Mazda's would have a light on the dash but it wouldn't effect anything else. I hope that is the case for the Speed3!

I might remain a current owner of an SR20 if I can't get anyone to buy my SE-R.

I got the wheels/tires yesterday, but I won't be able to put them on my Speed3 till Friday or so. I'll let you know if the TPMS raises any issues.

 

[jacen]

I ordered from Tirerack today without TPMS sensors. They thought it would just create a light on the dash but wouldn't effect any other electronics.

My car is supposed to be here Wed or Thursday of this week.