wheel design help/suggestions

[venner@ualberta.ca]

I have a 2010 mz3 sedan, gunmetal blue. I got the base model, so it came with 16" steel wheels which I'm currently using with winter tires (not the stoke all seasons).

I want new wheels for the summer season, but if I go up a size to 17" I need to get new tires as well - I currently can't afford both ...so I think I'm stuck with 16s

I know 16s won't look as slick as 17s but I'm looking for general suggestions on wheel designs/colours which I should avoid. I don't want something that's going to make my wheel look smaller than it already is.... make sense?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Cheers.

[Virgin1]

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If you can't wait and are stuck w/16's, stay away from anything with a wide outer lip. Though an excellent wheel and a classic design the Enkei's RP-F1's come to mind. That will surely make them look smaller on the car than they are and one reason I shied away from them.

But if I were you, a 17 looks great on the sedan and I would put it off as long as possible. Have the OE tires re-mounted on the OE wheels this summer and go w/aftermarket wheels next season. How much could it cost?
If you're like me and you like to do a lot of research before choosing, it may take you that long to decide anyway. I spent 2-1/2yrs shopping for wheels before choosing Kosei Racing wheels. Similar to the Enkei, lighter weight and a 17". Plus they were a bit cheaper and came w/center caps. Caps for the Enkei's were another $100, which I thought ridiculous.

("bomber-stud?")
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[spam@xamfap.com]

I have a 2010 mz3 sedan, gunmetal blue. I got the base model, so it came with 16" steel wheels which I'm currently using with winter tires (not the stoke all seasons).

I want new wheels for the summer season, but if I go up a size to 17" I need to get new tires as well - I currently can't afford both ...so I think I'm stuck with 16s [/b]

Find a Toyo dealer. Most shops that carry Toyo deal with performance cars. I found a local shop that deals in Toyo tires and they were able to come up with many options and lots of inside info about Mazda. As a bonus you might find a deal on tires + wheels when you take off your winter tires. Especially if your OEM tires still have good tread on them and you offer them to the shop.

Keep in mind that the 16's vs. 17's change the performance of the car. If you have a 2.0 5-speed and are not looking for the half-inch of clearance you may want 16's. If you switch to 17's visit a Mazda dealer to have your speedometer and computer calibrated for best performance. (Assuming your Tire shop isn't qualified in doing it)

I don't recommend Toyo's for winter driving. The sidewalls are designed for performance--not cold weather, potholes, and rocks. It's better to put a reinforced sidewall tire on for cold weather conditions. Winter studs are optional but should go on all 4 tires if you use them.

[Virgin1]

<span style="color:navy">
You should not have to worry about tire size because when you go from 16's to 17's you reduce that aspect ratio, or sidewall height. e.g. 205/55-16 =205/50-17".
Its called plus one sizing. By keeping the overall diameter of the new tires as similar as possible to OE, nothing will need to be adjusted.

However, you should be aware that the factory offset of the wheels is +52.5mm. Stay between +45 and +50 and you should be OK, as long as you don't go wild on width.
I went the plus-zero method. The 225/45-17's I am running now are so close to the diameter/circumference of the OE 205/50's I don't even worry about it.

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[cam.zin@verizon.net]

I just bought Toyo versados for my new Mazda 3 gt because I have a high end audiophile system and need quiet. They are quieter than the Yokohamas that came with the car and I will add snows when it gets cold. 17 inch are noisier and I wish I had 16. I switched out my Yokohama S34D 205/50/17 and have them on craig's list for an amazing 500. for four including install at direct tire. They'll ship them for 80 bucks.

Find a Toyo dealer. Most shops that carry Toyo deal with performance cars. I found a local shop that deals in Toyo tires and they were able to come up with many options and lots of inside info about Mazda. As a bonus you might find a deal on tires + wheels when you take off your winter tires. Especially if your OEM tires still have good tread on them and you offer them to the shop.

Keep in mind that the 16's vs. 17's change the performance of the car. If you have a 2.0 5-speed and are not looking for the half-inch of clearance you may want 16's. If you switch to 17's visit a Mazda dealer to have your speedometer and computer calibrated for best performance. (Assuming your Tire shop isn't qualified in doing it)

I don't recommend Toyo's for winter driving. The sidewalls are designed for performance--not cold weather, potholes, and rocks. It's better to put a reinforced sidewall tire on for cold weather conditions. Winter studs are optional but should go on all 4 tires if you use them.[/b]