To drop or to rim?

[slimsmcgill]

My mind is spinning right now over something I've been debating. I want to know what is best to do with my Protege5. Should I get springs for it and drop it an inch or so, or should I just get some 17" or 18" rims and some new wheels. My dilemma is that I love the way P5's look when they are lowered, but I don't know if lowering it will limit the size of rim I can get.

Will lowering my P5 keep me from being able to put 17" or 18" rims on it? And what's the biggest yall have gone with your wheels? Anyone?

I'm sure this post will get moved but I just had to ask.

 

[jersey_emt]

Definitely go with rims. Lowered + stock rims = stupid IMO

I prefer 17" rims...I think they are the perfect compromise between looks, ride, weight, and handling.

 

[mountjonas]

i've seen someone with 19's on his p5 around here with little or no rubbing at all. it's all about the offset of the rims. a lot of people here have lowered their p5 and are running 17's and 18's with no problems. i'm gonna lower mine first with eibach's and tokico hp's then maybe next year get some rims or have my stock ones powdercoated.

nice to see some san diego people here.

 

[slimsmcgill]

Ok so lowering the car and then putting some 17's or 18's will do fine?

I was just worried that by lowering it that that would keep me from being able to add 'bigger' rims.

Yeah I agree, slammed with stock rims is not the way to go, especially not on this car. That might work for a lowrider or chollo car, but not me, the cracker mc.

 

[upgraded]

If you are looking for a stockish ride, I would do 17s. I have a set of 18s on my wifes P5 with a set of HKS springs which are just a hair lower than the factory mazdaspeed springs. The looks great and still rides pretty well plus its not so low that my wife can't drive it on a regular basis whitout any issues. I also ran 19s on it for a week and they looked way too big imo. I am running a 225-35-18 with an 18x7.5 with a 45mm offset and have absolutly no rubbing issues even with ppl in the back. Hope this helps a little.

 

[PeaB0dy]

Probably less expensive in the long run to just fill in with bigger wheels, cause if you lower it, you have to get the camber adjusted too. Get a nice set of 18's, they will fill in, making the car look like it was lowered a little. If you also line an area with snow in it, lowering will also not bode to well for you!

 

[h4tor1]

well, i think it depends on your purpose. if you want a better handling, get a spring first. if you want a look, change the rims. if you want a better handling and look, then get spring and rims (yippy)

Like jersey_emt said, 17" are the perfect compromise between looks, ride, weight, and handling and I am totally agree with that. get some used mazdaspeed rims and tires, it looks really good on P5 -> just my 2cents<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

[slimsmcgill]

If you are looking for a stockish ride, I would do 17s. I have a set of 18s on my wifes P5 with a set of HKS springs which are just a hair lower than the factory mazdaspeed springs. The looks great and still rides pretty well plus its not so low that my wife can't drive it on a regular basis whitout any issues. I also ran 19s on it for a week and they looked way too big imo. I am running a 225-35-18 with an 18x7.5 with a 45mm offset and have absolutly no rubbing issues even with ppl in the back. Hope this helps a little.

Yeah that helps alot. I wanna drop it a bit, but not too far. HKS huh? Alright, I'll look into those. I'll also check into some 18's, cuz I'm sure 19's would be too big for me too. I guess I just need to go into my local store and ask more q's.

But hey, how much did those HKS springs drop your car?

 

[slimsmcgill]

Probably less expensive in the long run to just fill in with bigger wheels, cause if you lower it, you have to get the camber adjusted too. Get a nice set of 18's, they will fill in, making the car look like it was lowered a little. If you also line an area with snow in it, lowering will also not bode to well for you!

Right on. Actually that sounds better. I live in so cal so there's not alot of snow, but I do like to go snowboarding, so, myeah.

 

[MinnowGT]

I went with rims first cause it was time to change the stock rubbers and I didn't
like the limited choices of the stock sizes. Also the new ADR rims I got are pretty
sweet. I don't run the canyons much so went with the rims instead.

 

[2k2silvermp5]

I prefer to lower the car 1st. Just my opinion. I really don't like the look of a car w/ 17's/18's w/ no performance springs. It looks too jacked up. I'd rather be low then high. I will be buying some new enkeis very soon if "the man" can get the awesome price for them.

 

[redwagon02]

I prefer to lower the car 1st. Just my opinion. I really don't like the look of a car w/ 17's/18's w/ no performance springs. It looks too jacked up. I'd rather be low then high.

same here.

 

[garretts77]

I would say springs first, then rims later. I don't like the 4x4 look of low pro tires on a stock height. It exaggerates the wheel gap. I have Eibachs and BBS 17's and it never rubs.

 

[bruce95fmla]

Lower the car first..

figure it this way. your p5 already comes with rims, so You don't have to worry about that.

When you drop the car it will still look nice and at least that way you can notice any minor differences in handeling.

Then afterwards you can figure which rims you want and also be able to deal with any fitment issues.

---------------
I have been through to many suspension set ups with my protege.
This is what I would do.

 

[slimsmcgill]

redwagon, is that your red p5 in your signature?


What do you have on it? rims and springs...

 

[toucci]

remember, when you add larger rims and tires the car is raised the increase in the tire's radius. if you go to 17s and godo tires it'll ride the same but look jacked up due to greater apparent tire gap

do both at the same time (wink)

 

[slimsmcgill]

Ok garrett and bruce, but how low should I go if I want, say, 17' or 18' rims? What's the best amount of lowering?

 

[BlueWolfCry]

rims will cost more than springs (duh) so it's up to you, if you go the basic aftermarket drops (eibach, teins, etc) and dont rub with stock, you wont rub with springs. i'd say get both, 17/18's with wheel gap is hideous

 

[slimsmcgill]

Yeah, the whole reason I'm getting rims and springs is because I can't stand to come out to my car and see that huge gap in the wheel well and my tires. It looks so stupid.

 

[upgraded]

Just so you know, the factory mazdaspeed springs lower the car.75 inches in the front and .875 inches in the rear. The HKS springs lower the front 1.25 inches in the front and .98 inches in the rear. If you've noticed that your front end stock sits a bit higher than the rear then you will see that the HKS kit levels the car out perfectly. I am very happy with the results. I need to get some pics together.