Guys, I'm very new to this wheel upgrade stuff, and I could sure use some help with a wheel and tire decision ....
Just recently bought a 2003 Mazda6 which has Chevy Monte Carlo SS wheels (don't ask!) and performance tires. (18x7, 5x115, 52mm offset, and 225/40r18 tires).
The tires need to be replaced, so I ordered some more 225/40r18 tires from Discount Tire Direct at a good price, and took them to a local Discount Tire store for installation. To my surprise, because the rims were not the spec bolt pattern for a Mazda6 (5x115 instead of the spec 5x114.3), the store would not install the tires and mount the wheels on the car.
So, in order to avoid future hassles with trying to find stores which will rotate/balance, etc., I'm looking into getting new wheels with the proper bolt pattern and try to sell the Chevy rims.
Since I've already bought the 225/40r18 tires, I'm trying to find some 18" wheels to match. Based on the sticky thread here about wheel/tire sizes, I'm a little leery about going with the aftermarket 18x7.5, 45mm wheels available at Discount Tire (because the offset falls outside the range for the 7.5 width with this tire size -- don't want them to rub). Are my concerns valid?
Is the clearance the same for all Mazda6 model years? Are there factory 18" OEM Mazda wheels for other models that will fit with these tires without rubbing? (The sticky thread indicated the RX-8s rubbed on some Mazda6 vehicles with this tire size.) Maybe a newer year 18" Mazda6 rim? Recommendations for places of purchasing them?
Not interested in doing any of the fender rolling, dropping height, etc. And not looking to spend a tremendous amount of cash.
Thanks for any advice you can give!
Plus wheel size Newbie,
David
Just recently bought a 2003 Mazda6 which has Chevy Monte Carlo SS wheels (don't ask!) and performance tires. (18x7, 5x115, 52mm offset, and 225/40r18 tires).
The tires need to be replaced, so I ordered some more 225/40r18 tires from Discount Tire Direct at a good price, and took them to a local Discount Tire store for installation. To my surprise, because the rims were not the spec bolt pattern for a Mazda6 (5x115 instead of the spec 5x114.3), the store would not install the tires and mount the wheels on the car.
So, in order to avoid future hassles with trying to find stores which will rotate/balance, etc., I'm looking into getting new wheels with the proper bolt pattern and try to sell the Chevy rims.
Since I've already bought the 225/40r18 tires, I'm trying to find some 18" wheels to match. Based on the sticky thread here about wheel/tire sizes, I'm a little leery about going with the aftermarket 18x7.5, 45mm wheels available at Discount Tire (because the offset falls outside the range for the 7.5 width with this tire size -- don't want them to rub). Are my concerns valid?
Is the clearance the same for all Mazda6 model years? Are there factory 18" OEM Mazda wheels for other models that will fit with these tires without rubbing? (The sticky thread indicated the RX-8s rubbed on some Mazda6 vehicles with this tire size.) Maybe a newer year 18" Mazda6 rim? Recommendations for places of purchasing them?
Not interested in doing any of the fender rolling, dropping height, etc. And not looking to spend a tremendous amount of cash.
Thanks for any advice you can give!
Plus wheel size Newbie,
David
