Winter Wheels - 16s on a 3s

[DetroitSP23]

I defintely want to hook up the snow tires for the winter...and I have a 3s with 17s so I know that 16" is the smallest I can go.

Anyone have suggestions for 16" winter wheels?
Is there a particular steel out there or just a generic?

 

[tsunami]

if you can find it steel would be best, i bought some old protege5 16 wheels to use. had a hard time finding 16 steel wheels...

 

[DetroitSP23]

The P5 wheels work pretty well for you?

 

[tsunami]

haven't got them on yet.... i wouldn't see why not, they are thinner... better for cutting into snow instead of riding on top, they have the same offset, and they are 16' for more side wall/beefier tread...

 

[marineaulu]

Winter tires and rims

I have a 2004 Hatch GT with 17" wheels.
There was no way in hell I was gonna use the Goodyear RSA's in the winter. They are bad enough on dry pavement!

Last fall, I bought four 16" steel rims from Costco and 4 winter tires.
The winter tires are Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2, P205/55/R16. They are V rated.
http://www.michelinman.ca/catalog/tires/MichelinPilotAlpinPA2.html

Just love them. And I don't find they are noisy. Must be that the car is so well sealed.

I beleive winter tires are a must for this car (if you do have winters), unless you either want to crash your car, or you don't mind crawling instead of riding.

My opinion.

 

[tsunami]

i agree completely after tryin to cope last winter with the stockers... man oh man that was ugly thank god my gf had a car we could commute in...

 

[wongpres]

I have a 2004 Hatch GT with 17" wheels.
There was no way in hell I was gonna use the Goodyear RSA's in the winter. They are bad enough on dry pavement!

Last fall, I bought four 16" steel rims from Costco and 4 winter tires.
The winter tires are Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2, P205/55/R16. They are V rated.
http://www.michelinman.ca/catalog/tires/MichelinPilotAlpinPA2.html

Just love them. And I don't find they are noisy. Must be that the car is so well sealed.

I beleive winter tires are a must for this car (if you do have winters), unless you either want to crash your car, or you don't mind crawling instead of riding.

My opinion.

Actually, the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 in the P205/55R16 size is H rated. The PA2 also comes in the stock Mazda3 17-inch tire size (P205/50R17), and in this size it is V rated. But H rated is plenty enough for a winter tire, and in fact I too run the PA2 myself in the P205/55R16 size (on stock Mazda3 16-inch alloys).

 

[ZoomVT]

i agree completely after tryin to cope last winter with the stockers... man oh man that was ugly thank god my gf had a car we could commute in...

Had?

Yeah i am using my stock 16s and i bought Hankook H rated tires and it worked well last year.

 

[Libra]

I think Goodyear makes a Blizzak tire for winter weather, and they fit the Mazda 3's. I'll get tire sizes and tire names up by tomorrow for everyone.

 

[DetroitSP23]

Anyone know if 205/60 - 16s will fit, or only 55s?

What was the offset on those steelies from Costco?

 

[Libra]

For all you MZ3 owners out there, here's a typed copy of the tires available for your car (all season and winter) that are available through the dealer. According to the chart I am referring to, All I models were equipped with 15's, with 16's optional. S models were equipped with 16's, with 17's optional. The S model 5 door is a standard 17 inch rim. Hope this is of use to a few of you... lol. Also, the AS and W at the end are referring to All-Seasons or Winter tires.

Mazda 3 I:
P195/65 R15:
89H, Toyo Proxes A18, 154610, (AS)
89H, Michelin Tiger Paw Touring HR, 57917, (AS)
91Q, Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50, 062812, (W)

Mazda 3 S:
P205/55 R16:
89H, Toyo Proxes A05, 154620, (AS)
89H, General/Continental Contitouringcontact CH95, 15463340000 (AS)
91H, General/Continental Contitouringcontact CH95, 03513940000 (AS)
89Q, Michelin Arctic Alpin, 58455 (W)
91H, Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22, 093262 (W)

Mazda 3 S 5 Door:
P205/50 R17:
88V, Goodyear Eagle RS/A, 732491500 (AS)
89H, Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22, 093327 (W)

 

[tsunami]

Had?

Yeah i am using my stock 16s and i bought Hankook H rated tires and it worked well last year.

yours came with 16" stock?? and she still HAS her car... 04' corrolla

 

[marineaulu]

Offset

Anyone know if 205/60 - 16s will fit, or only 55s?

What was the offset on those steelies from Costco?

Don't remember what was the offset, but the guy looked on his computer and told me exactly which rims to get. So, go there and ask 16's steelies for a Mazda 3.

 

[ZoomVT]

yeah the sedan s trim without the sports/aero package comes with 16s. Its kinda weird but i didnt care for the larger wheels since i was gonna upgrade anyways. so im set for the winter.

yours came with 16" stock?? and she still HAS her car... 04' corrolla

 

[DetroitSP23]

haven't got them on yet.... i wouldn't see why not, they are thinner... better for cutting into snow instead of riding on top, they have the same offset, and they are 16' for more side wall/beefier tread...

Do you know what size tire you'll get?

 

[tsunami]

no clue... but i haven't looked into it yet really... i believe the width is only 6, but i need to keep the same od or as close as i can get to the sotckers so prob somethin like 195/55 16 i would think... but thats just bein quick about it... but i think thats the right size...

 

[goldwing2000]

Definitely go as thin as possible for a good snow tire.

195/55 would work, as would a 185/60.

 

[MightyMouse]

Anyone know if 205/60 - 16s will fit, or only 55s?

What was the offset on those steelies from Costco?

Don't get Costco rims, they are low quality, not hub centric and the offsets are never right. I only recommend using factory steel wheels (yes, Mazda has them for our 3's, and that is what I am using)

I am using 205/60's (Blizzaks) and they do rub (even before my car was lowered 1.5") For my next set I will go with the proper 205/55. I just wish somebody made a 195/60/16 (Hey Bridgestone!!!)

And for those wondering, NOBODY makes a 16" snow tire narrower than 205 unfortunatley, really sucks, but we don't have a choice...I would love to put on 195's or 185's. I drive up to my chalet almost every weekend in the winter, and I don't slow down in deep snow so the skinnier the tire the better....Too bad they don't make rally snow tires (145's) in 16's LOL

 

[marineaulu]

Costco Rims

Don't get Costco rims, they are low quality, not hub centric and the offsets are never right. I only recommend using factory steel wheels (yes, Mazda has them for our 3's, and that is what I am using)

I am using 205/60's (Blizzaks) and they do rub (even before my car was lowered 1.5") For my next set I will go with the proper 205/55. I just wish somebody made a 195/60/16 (Hey Bridgestone!!!)

And for those wondering, NOBODY makes a 16" snow tire narrower than 205 unfortunatley, really sucks, but we don't have a choice...I would love to put on 195's or 185's. I drive up to my chalet almost every weekend in the winter, and I don't slow down in deep snow so the skinnier the tire the better....Too bad they don't make rally snow tires (145's) in 16's LOL

Interesting comment about the Costco rims. You may be right, you may be wrong, I don't know. One thing I know is that I already went through a full winter season with them using Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 winter tires. Last winter, here in Eastern Canada, we faced extreme temperature and weather conditions. No problems at all. Faced all conditions without any problems. And, they seem to spin OK, no steering shaking at high speed (tested at 170km/hr). Smooth riding and handling. So, not sure how they could be bad. I assume I have a good set.

 

[DetroitSP23]

I'm not aware of a factory 16" steel wheel for the 3. Are you thinking of the 15" or is there a steel 16" on a 6 or something that will work?

I'm with you on the 16" snow tire widths. 205 is too wide, but better than nothing I guess. Maybe they'll come around soon.