What wheel size for winter set-up?

[xxfmulder]

Hello,

My wife drives a 2004 Mazda 3 hatchback. It has the factory 17" wheels and tires. As most of you probably know, these suck in the snow. My wife isn't the best driver, so I'd like to get a seperate set of wheels and snow tires for her this winter. Can anyone provide some info like factory hub size and offsets for different size wheels?

Should I go with 16 or 15 inch wheels? Will 15 even clear the brakes? Did any 3's come with steelies and hubs from the factory?

Thanks

 

[409biscayne]

Hello,

My wife drives a 2004 Mazda 3 hatchback. It has the factory 17" wheels and tires. As most of you probably know, these suck in the snow. My wife isn't the best driver, so I'd like to get a seperate set of wheels and snow tires for her this winter. Can anyone provide some info like factory hub size and offsets for different size wheels?

Should I go with 16 or 15 inch wheels? Will 15 even clear the brakes? Did any 3's come with steelies and hubs from the factory?

Thanks

I was kind of hoping someone would chime in , i have the same situation here , wife's 2004 3s , ran last winter on the stock 17's , does suck , went to put on 15's off our Pro 5 ( sold ) 15's hit on the front caliper , what about a good set of All-Season 17's on the stock alloys? Anyone add any comments / options ? I hate to have to buy 4 winter tire and wheels now and 4 stock 17 in tires come spring . ( 24k on the stockers ) .
Thanks .................................. Doug .
Sorry , not trying to hijack thread .

 

[kid_ding]

You need to go with at least 16". So you have a few options:
- stick with the stock 17" rims and just replace the rubber
- get 16" steelies and winters

It's generally cheaper to go with the second option. I was set on the winter rubber so for me, the cheaper route was to go with 16"s.

 

[Kansei]

The Mazda3i was available with steel wheels/hubcaps but are the 3i brakes smaller? I didn't know if the steelies were 15 or 16.

 

[wongpres]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91794

 

[goldwing2000]

If you want Mazda 16" steelies, you'll have to get ones from a Mazda6.

Aftermarket ones work just fine, though.