15\ rims on a M3 Sport ?

[Moose]

I realise with the Mazda 3 Sports 11.8\" front rotors a 16\" rim is basically the minimum rim size ... BUT has anybody knows of a 15x7 or 15x7.5\" rim that will fit ?

On my old Race Bitch Civic Si I had a fair bit of clearance between my 11\" rotors and the 15\" Kosei\'s,.. Sooo I figure that there might be a 15\" that will fit over the 11.8 \" Mazda 3 sport rotors

Ya Ya I know that the Mazda 3 may look a bit weird with 15\'s ... but I am a big beleiver in fitting the smallest / widest / lighest rim possible.
I have a line on a set of 16x7.5 Kosei K1\'s ... but I would like to also look at some 15\" rims for possible track duty.


Thanks

Moose

[majic]

dunno much about bimers but the mazda3 sport comes with 16s (GS) and 17s (GT).. AFAIK, for the gs version you can use 15s and for the gt you need 16s for rims. i don\'t think anyone has attempted to fit a wide 15\" rim on a 17\" model.. that\'s not to say it\'s not doable.. try it and tell us how it works.. i assume you would need some wicked offset for it to work.. good luck

[majic]

lol.. you changed m3 to mazda3 :)

anyway, since MOST of us don\'t go to the track and instead go for 18\" bling.. you\'ll probably be best off doing some test fitments yourself..

--knuckle

[Moose]

Originally posted by majic


lol.. you changed m3 to mazda3 :)

anyway, since MOST of us don\'t go to the track and instead go for 18\" bling.. you\'ll probably be best off doing some test fitments yourself..

--knuckle

YUP ... I figured you were toying with me ... BUT ... I figured I would change it anyways ... I am learning these new Mazda acronyms ... I am a old Honda guy :)


I figured I would have to test fit ...but I would like to narrow the search a bit ... I have access to some 15\" 5x114.3 Kosei\'s ... but I would like some other options

Thanks

Moose

[FLIPDADY]

It\'s all about the rotor size. The base GS hatch still has the same brakes as the GT with 17\" rims. So putting on 15\" rims will not work b/c the rim won\'t clear the caliper. That\'s why the lowest you can go is 16\".

[majic]

Originally posted by FLIPSPEED


It\'s all about the rotor size. The base GS hatch still has the same brakes as the GT with 17\" rims. So putting on 15\" rims will not work b/c the rim won\'t clear the caliper. That\'s why the lowest you can go is 16\".

cool that\'s what i THOUGHT (all 2.3L engines) but i couldn\'t find hard proof.. i got flipoogled! :)

[FLIPDADY]

flipoogled! :p

Man you crack me up.

[Moose]

Originally posted by FLIPSPEED


It\'s all about the rotor size. The base GS hatch still has the same brakes as the GT with 17\" rims. So putting on 15\" rims will not work b/c the rim won\'t clear the caliper. That\'s why the lowest you can go is 16\".


Yes As a general rule you need 2\" more rim diameter than rotor size to fit over the calipers .... BUT there is always exceptions ... For example 13x7\" Lenso Drag lights and ceratin 3pc 13\" Race rims will fit over an Integra\'s 10.4\" fromt rotors (Generally the smallest rim you can fit on a Teg is 14\")

Soooo I want to see if anybody has found the exception to the rule for the M3 2.3L with the 11.8\" rotors ... Kosei and Volks gereally have \"thin\" inner rims ...thus have better than average caliper clearance ...


Moose

[Moose]

Hmmmmm

I think I may be barking up the wrong tree ... this is a 16x7.5 Kosei K1 (225-50-16 Kumho MX) on a Mazda3 GT ... and there is not alot of space between the caliper and rim ... I think a 15x7 will be a TIGHT fit at best

http://i.pbase.com/v3/66/532966/2/51831800.IMG_0267.jpg


Well at least these are lighter than the OE Rims and Tires even though they are wider... 40lbs vs 43 lbs


Moose

[Whos ur dadd]

Originally posted by majic


dunno much about bimers

So little, in fact, that you don\'t even know that they\'re called bimmers.



I have decided to dedicate my life to pointing out all of the factual inaccuracies and spelling errors in majoogle\'s posts. I\'m on to you majoogle!!!