What winters are being used on speed3?

[Oneurt]

im running dunlop wintersport 3d 215/55/16's on steelies
got em from tirerack, pretty good setup for those of us who need a winter tire but arent in snow every day

I got a sigh of relief, cause I ordered a set of 215/55/R16 Blizzak WS-60s with steelies from Tirerack, and I have been searching around to see if anyone else had a similar setup. And alas someone does and with success.

 

[happy and angry]

I got a sigh of relief, cause I ordered a set of 215/55/R16 Blizzak WS-60s with steelies from Tirerack, and I have been searching around to see if anyone else had a similar setup. And alas someone does and with success.

The WS60s are awesome, much better than their old WS50s. Ride comfort/noise and performance aren't bad for winters, either, but they aren't a performance winter tire.

 

[Oneurt]

The WS60s are awesome, much better than their old WS50s. Ride comfort/noise and performance aren't bad for winters, either, but they aren't a performance winter tire.

in the end I wasn't looking for a performance winter tire, as I dont plan to do any spirited driving, and the car might be driven about 20% of the winter season, as I will be driving the beater as much as possible.

 

[blacksheepms3]

I went for blizzacks LM22 and they're great with snow. it snowed here in jersey and had no problem gettin out there and let the wild child be herself. baw chickawawaw! I mounted them on stock rims. Springs come I'll go for gram lights and a stickier tire.

 

[Je5ter]

I mounted a set of X-ice from tire rack on stock trims for like $850 prety decent on snow but traction blows goats on dry pavement....

 

[DetroitSP23]

I roll 16" steelies from a Mazda 6. Perfect.

 

[MidwestSpeed3]

Whats the difference between the WS50 and the WS60? I just picked up a set of 17" Kosei K1-TS with 215/50/17 WS-50 for cheap.

 

[happy and angry]

hats the difference between the WS50 and the WS60? I just picked up a set of 17" Kosei K1-TS with 215/50/17 WS-50 for cheap.

Tread design and the composition of the rubber compound. The WS-60s are all directional tread, and they use some pretty high-tech rubber compounds for winter traction. So far, they've been fantastic. A bit loud compared to the stock rubber, but they grip well and handle well for a winter tire.

 

[chawaiian]

so what are the official specs of wheels/tires that will fit th3 mazdaspeed3? are these correct?

wheel bolt pattern:
5-114.3mm/5-4.5''
5-100mm

Original Factory Tire Size(s):
215/45-18

Optional Winter Tire Sizes:
205/60-16
215/55-16
205/50-17
215/50-17

Plus Zero:
225/40-18

Plus One:
215/35-19

 

[rothko10]

Warranty problem with 17 inch snow tires?

Tire Rack recommended 17" Blizzaks with a set of wheels for my Speed3. But I have 18" wheels now and the dealership said I might wind up having suspension trouble with the 17" and putting a different size wheel on my car would void my warranty. Does anybody have any information as to whether or not this is true? My other option is to go with a Pirelli 240 Sottozero in an 18". This is what the dealership suggested. They seem like good tires, but they're more expensive, especially if I get the wheel package with them.

 

[happy and angry]

Your dealership is trying to lie to you to get you to spend a lot of money on tires with them. 17's fit fine. 215/50R17 tires on an 17x7 rim are almost the exact same diameter as the stock tires/rim package, off by a fraction of a percent. They clear the front brakes fine. There is NO reason why that would void your warranty. If your dealership ever tries to tell you that you've voided your warranty by installing tires you didn't by from them for such a bulls*** reason, talk to Mazda Corp. US/Canada directly and complain about your dealership.

Your major concerns with tires are: total diameter, offset to avoid rubbing in the wheel well, clearing your brakes, and load capacity. Any reputable tire shop should be able to help you out. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
This site can help you with sizing. Tire Rack has a bunch of readme's to help you be a better informed consumer.