17" Enkei EV5 (Hyper Black) with Falken 912

[aj3]

After weeks of getting pros and cons between 17" & 18" wheels, finally I decided to jump in and get the 17" Enkei EV5 in Hyper Black courtesy of Allen from Simply Tire. Thanks Allen, I like the setup.

I based my decision on the following criteria, in order:
1. Comfort
2. Performance
3. Look
4. Price (willing to spend extra cash on 18" if 1 & 2 can be attained)

Thanks for SilentJay's poll about 17" & 18" rims for making my decision a lot easier. http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=32767

I also had my calipers painted in black w/ Mazda3 decals from Mathieu (Thanks Mathieu!) but need to bring back the car for retouch.

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture008.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture009.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture010.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture011.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture013.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture015-1.jpg

[-RJ3-]

Looks good.. I know people are going to ask, so I might as well ask... Will you lower it?

[Thrizzl3]

sick rims mang! get a lip

[DumpInfo]

Very nice, I'm with RJ on that question...any plans for that?

[SilentJay]

I'm useful! :D

+1 for a drop

[Chuckie]

I know you're looking for comfort but I agree with the other posters. It looks too high.

[Trinidad]

Nice rims! I was going to get those from Allen, just didn't have any cash :( Congrats, I think the drop looks acceptable, I find it looks worse in pics for some reason.

[aj3]

I know you're looking for comfort but I agree with the other posters. It looks too high.

I don't have any plan of lowering (that might change now) and that is also one of the reason why I decided with 17" so it won't look as bad as 18" w/o drop.

Now that I am considering lowering a bit, anyone here have any idea about using hydraulics to drop the car so I can lower the car as I wish. The wife also uses the car every now and then. I can put the stock height when she uses the car and drop it back to have a nice clearance when I use it.

[kLuMzi]

Looks good!! i knew Hyper Black works on Metro Gray :)

might go the same path! don't worry mine's sedan :chuckle

[aj3]

I don't have any plan of lowering (that might change now) and that is also one of the reason why I decided with 17" so it won't look as bad as 18" w/o drop.

Now that I am considering lowering a bit, anyone here have any idea about using hydraulics to drop the car so I can lower the car as I wish. The wife also uses the car every now and then. I can put the stock height when she uses the car and drop it back to have a nice clearance when I use it.

Found an article regarding my previous inquiry.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question294.htm

Does anyone know any shop in GTA that does this and how much?

[x_o_k_x]

i believe its called adjustable coilovers:chuckle will ran you about $1200 for a whole set. Check out some sponsors

[bunchi]

no he's not looing for coilovers. he's looking for hydaulic suspension, the types that lower and bring the car higher at the flip of a switch, or make the car jump around.

[Gizzmo_jr]

hydraulic's are illegal on road driven cars in Ontario. Air suspensions are not.

[aj3]

hydraulic's are illegal on road driven cars in Ontario. Air suspensions are not.

Yes, something like Air-Ride that TTC buses are using when they lower the bus for disabled with wheel chair.

[Olestra]

I love those rims, they are one of my favourite for the Mazda3. I had been eyeing Evo5's (now EV5's) for a long time.

If you go adjustable coilovers, it's not as easy as lowering the car one day and raising it back up the next...

[aj3]

Sorry I forgot to thank Jeff & his crew from Audio Heaven for the wonderful tint job. Thanks Jeff!

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After weeks of getting pros and cons between 17" & 18" wheels, finally I decided to jump in and get the 17" Enkei EV5 in Hyper Black courtesy of Allen from Simply Tire. Thanks Allen, I like the setup.

I based my decision on the following criteria, in order:
1. Comfort
2. Performance
3. Look
4. Price (willing to spend extra cash on 18" if 1 & 2 can be attained)

Thanks for SilentJay's poll about 17" & 18" rims for making my decision a lot easier. http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=32767

I also had my calipers painted in black w/ Mazda3 decals from Mathieu (Thanks Mathieu!) but need to bring back the car for retouch.

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture008.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture009.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture010.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture011.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture013.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv275/ajphoto09/Picture015-1.jpg

[notoriousb]

They look kinda factory don't they?

[VWisTROUBLE]

they may look factory to you but i can almost gaurantee you they perform much better than factory rims/tires...

i like em alot...but i would definately like them alot better with a pro-kit...

just my $0.02:bana2

They look kinda factory don't they?

[notoriousb]

I knew i saw them somewhere factory lol.

On my 2002 lancer OZ

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/rp/images/03lancer_oz_wheel.jpg

[Mazda3X2]

I think they're a nice choice for your car. Looks great.

[seelsy]

sick wheels man, those look great on the car, now ya need a lip and some skirts to set um off.

[nabru]

That was my first choice, but when I went to Allen for a set he didn't have them in stock. So I "settled" for the RSVs.

but yea they look great!

[Reaper]

Those wheels look great!! Enkei is a very reputable brand.

[Tokic_o]

they look soooo small because the gap is even larger with your size tires.

[Ex-Rolla]

Good choice! I have the gold ones on my car.

About the coil overs... I would recommend a simple drop (about an inch, if going for look and some improved performance). with Coil overs, you'll need to re-align your car every time you lower/raise it. Not worth it in my opinion

Rims look great on your car!

[aj3]

they look soooo small because the gap is even larger with your size tires.

Sorry guys, I'm not ready to go "big & drop" yet, staying on "small & stock" for now. I will get 18" rims when I'm ready to lower the car, I won't get the desired look anyways by just going "big" without lowering the car. It will look even worst since the rubber is much thinner than the gap. I'll try the "optical illusion" effect and try to "trick" the eye and make the rubber thicker than the gap.

I'm happy with my Mazda3 stock on "steriod".:chuckle