Will mazdaspeed 3 rims/tires rub if my car is lowered ?

[phoenix_bladen]

I am planning to get mazdaspeed 3 rims and teh stock tire size i believe is 215/40/18.

Will they rub ? I only have a mild drop with mazdaspeed springs.

can someone tell me ?

thnaks!

[Wild Weasel]

I think they might. Hell, I think they might every now and then even if you don't lower. With passengers in my back seat, I'm pretty sure my tires make contact with something when I hit big bumps or corner particularly hard. I don't know if Mazda did anything to increase clearance in the wheel wells on the MS3 to accomodate the larger tires. If they did... then the problem should be even worse on the regular 3.

[phoenix_bladen]

shit....... let me see if anyone knows ....... i want to make sure ...... cause if it rubs i'm screwed.........

[yellowmp5]

there must be a reason why Mazda made the front fenders a bit more "flare" on the MS3 vs regular 3's.....
btw, isn't the stock size 215/45/18?

[phoenix_bladen]

sorry my bad yes it's 215/45/18.

I guess the only way is to try it out if not i'll have to roll up the fenders.....

damn!

[Wild Weasel]

shit....... let me see if anyone knows ....... i want to make sure ...... cause if it rubs i'm screwed.........

Well... realistically... a slight rub at full suspension lock probably isn't something to be all that concerned with, depending on where the contact is, unless you spend a lot of time with a full load in the car. I mean... if the inside of your tread rubs the fender a little on a hard turn, it's not going to damage anything.

On the flip side though, if you have the outside of the fender cutting into your tread or something like that, then it's an obvious safety concern. I had that issue with my Sunfire and had to change the springs to accomodate my brake kit.

[RedRaptor]

Phoenix, I wouldn't worry too much. RX8 rims are 8" wide and have a 50mm offset as well. They don't stick out to the point where the fenders are cutting into the tires...infact far from it as many members and myself can tell you.

The MS3 rim is 18"x7". Mazda made the MS3's fenders flare out just a little bit to make it look more aggressive.

You have the Mazdaspeed lowering springs which give a mild 1.2" drop all around. You will be fine with the MS3 rims. There is a guy on M3F with the MS springs and RX8 rims. He didn't report any rubbing even at full capacity.

Go get the rims and take some pics of your car once they are mounted.

[phoenix_bladen]

hey wild weasel and redraptor!

thanks for your advice!

alright i feel alot better after hearing your advice!

i'll go get them tonight and put them on tmw! when it's done i'll put some pics for you to see!

thanks guys!

[Jeff-TheBiz]

hey wild weasel and redraptor!

thanks for your advice!

alright i feel alot better after hearing your advice!

i'll go get them tonight and put them on tmw! when it's done i'll put some pics for you to see!

thanks guys!

Looking forward to seeing how they look on a Sedan.

[Wild Weasel]

Just to clarify... are you putting them on with 215/40/18's (proper Mazda 3 size) or with the stock 215/45/18's (stock MS3 size)? It's not the wheels that I think will be any issue. It's the slightly larger tires.

[yearoftherat]

Found this pic on the Mazda3forum.com...:hawt

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k22/cjlee9/Miscellanous/P1060427.jpg

[phoenix_bladen]

it's confirmed!!!

mazdaspeed 3 rims FIT PERFECTLY

215/45/18

with STOCK tires!!!!!!!

I'll post some pics when i have the time it is SICKKKKKKK....!!

however you guys are right there is a SLIGHT decrease of acceleration and you feel the steering wheel heavier.....!

but this is very minimal and it will not be noticed by ppl that are not primary drivers...... so nothing to really be worried!