Winter Tires

[derspi]

I had to call tire rack and have the guy check about the steelies for me. They were available, but took them off this week. The only reason they took them off is because they are not compatible with the TPMS which really is no big deal, they are just winter tires. I paid 650 mounted, balanced, new lug nuts, shipped with blizzack ws-60s on them. If people have problems, I can get tirerack part number for the steelies.

Just called to try and place my order and the guy told me 16" steelies aren't available any more for MS3 or even Mazda3s. WTF?! Can you please provide a part# that I can have them reference coz this is getting annoying.

Thanks.

 

[derspi]

^^

OK, never mind, I processed the order online and just got a confirmation from one of the reps but I had to work the system a bit. Instead of choosing MS3, I just selected a Mazda3 5-door GT and voila, the 16" steelie option reappears. After that, just choose an "optional/custom" tire size instead of the default 205/55R16 for a regular Mazda3 which is too small for MS3s. I went with a set of Bridgestone REVO1s in 215/55R16 (cheapest option at $66) with the 16" steelies, mounted, balanced and with lug nuts all for $588 shipped. Next best option considering I missed the closeout on the 205/60R16 sized REVO1 last week.

 

[pup73]

ok, so let me just confirm this..

i'm about to place an order for 16in steelies. it's pretty much been decided that these WILL clear the ms3's brakes. now, i'd like to go with 215/55/16s, rather than 205/60/16s..

will this be a problem?

tia

-c

 

[nhluhr]

those will be a tiny bit smaller diameter than stock tires but not so much that it causes any problems.

 

[pup73]

^^

OK, never mind, I processed the order online and just got a confirmation from one of the reps but I had to work the system a bit. Instead of choosing MS3, I just selected a Mazda3 5-door GT and voila, the 16" steelie option reappears. After that, just choose an "optional/custom" tire size instead of the default 205/55R16 for a regular Mazda3 which is too small for MS3s. I went with a set of Bridgestone REVO1s in 215/55R16 (cheapest option at $66) with the 16" steelies, mounted, balanced and with lug nuts all for $588 shipped. Next best option considering I missed the closeout on the 205/60R16 sized REVO1 last week.

thanks for the heads up...i just placed my order...16 in steelies, revo 1's in 215/55/16. mounted, balanced, lugs..$560 shipped to my door!

-c

 

[chippy]

Here's my setup! Dang good deal, I would think.

Dunlop Graspics studless with 9/32 tread left for $120

+

Mazda6 17" rims for $60

+

Mounting/balancing $40

= One happy winter rider (boobs)

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Man that's cheap!

 

[chippy]

craigslist is your best friend (cool)

 

[CTt3P5]

Just got off the phone with Peter at discounttiredirect and he gave me an out the door price of $756 for the following package:

4 - Momo winter 16x6.5 +45 offset alloys $100 (web price is $105)ea
4 - Hankook W409 tires 205/60/16

Price is delivered (free shipping is back, woot) and fitment is guaranteed or they will send UPS to pick them up.

Unfortuantely for me he said that in order for you guys to run a 16x7 you would want a +50 offset or you may risk rubbing the fenders.

**EDIT**Just spoke with someone at tirerack and he says the 16x7 +45 offset will work no problem and suggests the 205/60 but the 215/55 will fit just the same.

Hope this helps!

Quoted myself for a fitment update....check the edit.

 

[chowhoundMSP]

thanks for the heads up...i just placed my order...16 in steelies, revo 1's in 215/55/16. mounted, balanced, lugs..$560 shipped to my door!

-c

Went the same route, and got 4% cash back through ebates. Also will be getting the $50 gift card. All in all thats not bad for wheels and tires shipped ready to go for the coming winter. Even though my speed will look ghetto fabulous on a set of 16" black steel wheels, like my hubcabs all feel off.

 

[nhluhr]

just talked to "Wes" at Tirerack and he claimed the 16" steelies won't fit over the brakes...

I asked him if he was sure that it wasn't a TPMS issue since many other people have already used the 16" steelies from tirerack and they fit fine. He told me "sorry if you don't like the answer but i'm sure"

So what is the correct answer?

 

[ezrally]

Now Tire Rack says no steel 16" wheels were EVER avail. for a Speed 3.
Gone from the site also.
The guy say to produce a part # off the invoice for him to check...WTF
I guess I could just order for a base 3.

I must have got the same guy- kinda rude about it.
Also, reread this thread as they do fit.
Order for a base 3 or similar.
It's just strange as the TR guy wouldn't admit that the steelies were listed for the Speed.

 

[nhluhr]

yeah, i know there are 16 steelies that fit... problem is, without being able to link them to my car on their website, i can't be sure i'm getting the ones that will fit (correct offset, etc)

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

So let's say that 16's do fit. The issue behind that is that they sit extremely close to the stock brakes. What type of issues does this pose to cooling for the brakes? Someone had said that a while ago and it's been stuck in my conscience every since. Otherwise i'd just get some 16's.

 

[SSMS3]

So let's say that 16's do fit. The issue behind that is that they sit extremely close to the stock brakes. What type of issues does this pose to cooling for the brakes? Someone had said that a while ago and it's been stuck in my conscience every since. Otherwise i'd just get some 16's.

Unless the wheels are actually making contact there shouldn't be any heat related issues on the street, especially during the winter months

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

And what's this issue behind 16's and TPMS?

 

[derspi]

So let's say that 16's do fit. The issue behind that is that they sit extremely close to the stock brakes. What type of issues does this pose to cooling for the brakes? Someone had said that a while ago and it's been stuck in my conscience every since. Otherwise i'd just get some 16's.

You've been grossly misinformed as brake cooling is pretty much a non-issue on the street. Unless you're doing some serious mountain cornering on a regular basis, you'll almost never overheat your brakes on any car. The only issue we're all having here with the 16" steelies is clearance. Clearance from the front calipers and the outer fender so offset is the key here. The last person to have successfully order 16" steelies from TireRack for a MS3 got steelies that had a +42 offset. Maybe that's the magic number but I'll definitely post up my results when I go mount the steelies and winter tire package I ordered from TireRack. I hope to get this done next week so stay tuned. And in the meantime, here's proof that 16" steelies do fit:

http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=27867&page=2

 

[eg6motion]

Unless the wheels are actually making contact there shouldn't be any heat related issues on the street, especially during the winter months

not to mention several sports cars run tighter rotor-to-wheel size tolerances without issue.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

You've been grossly misinformed as brake cooling is pretty much a non-issue on the street. Unless you're doing some serious mountain cornering on a regular basis, you'll almost never overheat your brakes on any car. The only issue we're all having here with the 16" steelies is clearance. Clearance from the front calipers and the outer fender so offset is the key here. The last person to have successfully order 16" steelies from TireRack for a MS3 got steelies that had a +42 offset. Maybe that's the magic number but I'll definitely post up my results when I go mount the steelies and winter tire package I ordered from TireRack. I hope to get this done next week so stay tuned. And in the meantime, here's proof that 16" steelies do fit:

http://torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=27867&page=2

So 16's do fit! I'm okay with buying regular 16" wheels, as i'm sure they're not going to cost much more than steelies really.

A comment that stuck out in that thread is the bad stuff about the WS-60's..I was really leanin towards those but I may just get WS-50's instead if I can find them. I liked those better anyhow.

 

[turbo23]

ok this is what im going to do. I got my steelies and tires last week. When i get home sunday, Im going to mount one of the wheels on the front to see if they clear. I will let you all know