What looks best?

[taz4432]

So...I'm looking into new rims for my car and I'm pretty sure I'm going to be going with the O.Z. Racing Alleggerita HLT? The Superturismo G.T.s are beautiful as well but 5lbs heavier for a smaller wheel and another member on here has them already (albeit on the East Coast).

The only sizes I can get these in for my car (according to TireRack) are 18x7 or 18x7.5. So, of course I'd be going with the 18x7s. The 'recommended tire size' is 215/45/18 which according to the tire calculator is 1% difference (too fast on the speedo...hey..anything to keep me a little slower :P).

My favourite colour (for anything) is orange...and I don't think it looks half bad (it's a bit out there..but it's awesome :D). Other than red and blue (too much blue) I'd say any of the colours available look decent at the very least. I'm 99% sure I wouldn't be putting on white rims either but it's not entirely ruled out. I've always liked the gold/bronze with the blue cars (Subaru Rally Cars anyways? I've always had a thing for STIs in World Rally Blue with the gold rims). The black/dark colours look good too, although if I end up going for a dark/black wheel I'll probably end up getting something cheaper just because I can whereas if I go with the orange one..try finding another orange wheel like that (that weighs 16.5lb in 18"!).

Orange (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=W0182820071O&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MAZDA3+s+5-Door&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=Without+TPMS&wIndex=57&grid=true&sw=1229)

White (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=W0182920230W&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MAZDA3+s+5-Door&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=Without+TPMS&wIndex=59&grid=true&sw=1229)

Gold (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=W0182920276G&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MAZDA3+s+5-Door&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=Without+TPMS&wIndex=55&grid=true&sw=1229)

Matte Graphite Silver (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=W0182820022MGS&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MAZDA3+s+5-Door&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=Without+TPMS&wIndex=56&grid=true&sw=1229)

Anthracite (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=W0182820066A&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MAZDA3+s+5-Door&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=Without+TPMS&wIndex=52&grid=true&sw=1229)

Black (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=W0182820053B&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MAZDA3+s+5-Door&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=Without+TPMS&wIndex=53&grid=true&sw=1229)

BTW...if for someone reason the links don't work properly, the car is Winning Blue. =) (Select at the top left)

Thanks!

[MAZDA Kitten]

The only sizes I can get these in for my car (according to TireRack) are 18x7 or 18x7.5. So, of course I'd be going with the 18x7s.

why

[taz4432]

why

Well...I'm probably going to be dropping the car on prokits (may not if the wheel fits well [no pun intended]) but with 7.5" width I think rubbing will be an issue, even if it's only at full lock (well...I think it'll be if I lower it anyways, not 100% sure if I keep it stock ride height). I suppose I could get the fenders rolled but at this point it's mainly just an issue of what to get although any input on the aforementioned matter is greatly welcome.

[axelaR]

I'm lowered 1.75" all around and used to run 18x8 +45 offset, fender rolling, no rubbing. I think you can run 7.5" wide up to +40 offset and 8" wide +45 offset when dropped. There was still a little bit of room in the rear as well.

[aris]

The 'recommended tire size' is 215/45/18 which according to the tire calculator is 1% difference (too fast on the speedo...hey..anything to keep me a little slower :P).

!

That tire size is to big and it most likly will rub if you lower your car

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/50-17 4.0in 12.5in 25.1in 78.8in 804 0.0%
215/45-18 3.8in 12.8in 25.6in 80.5in 787 2.2%

The size you should put is 225/40/18

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/50-17 4.0in 12.5in 25.1in 78.8in 804 0.0%
225/40-18 3.5in 12.5in 25.1in 78.8in 804 0.1%

[taz4432]

That tire size is to big and it most likly will rub if you lower your car

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/50-17 4.0in 12.5in 25.1in 78.8in 804 0.0%
215/45-18 3.8in 12.8in 25.6in 80.5in 787 2.2%

The size you should put is 225/40/18

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/50-17 4.0in 12.5in 25.1in 78.8in 804 0.0%
225/40-18 3.5in 12.5in 25.1in 78.8in 804 0.1%

Ahh..I put in 205/55-17...I suppose that would make a difference then. Haha...thanks for cluing me in to that...the 16's are 205/55-16 but the 17's are 205/50-17...must've gotten them mixed up.

[Mazda3X2]

The orange actually looks better than I thought.

Don't go gold, too STi like.

Safe, nice looking colour would be Anthracite.

[taz4432]

The orange actually looks better than I thought.

Don't go gold, too STi like.

Safe, nice looking colour would be Anthracite.

Haha...agreed on every point. The only thing is, I find the Anthracite or any of those darker colours tends to be so 'typical' looking and the gold is definitely very STi like...I'll wait for that until I get an STi :P

Those vote numbers are not making my life any easier :P

[aww_skeet_x3]

I agree with the gold on blue looking like an STi but its a combination that works. I think that with white on the blue would look good but only if the spokes of the wheels were a lil bigger. the black and anthracite is a clean and preferred choice by many so thats a safe choice as well. the orange is different and may not work with everyone's taste but hey if that your favorite color for everything then I would go for it.

This is coming from a guy who was a lil hesitant on getting green on my white pearl hatch but then again its not common and I'm not like everyone else so I went with it. Again not everyone likes em but I do and I'm the one driving the car each and everyday. Good luck with your choices and if you dont like em in the end get em powdercoated later.

[gretzky]

orange looks pretty good

[taz4432]

I agree with the gold on blue looking like an STi but its a combination that works. I think that with white on the blue would look good but only if the spokes of the wheels were a lil bigger. the black and anthracite is a clean and preferred choice by many so thats a safe choice as well. the orange is different and may not work with everyone's taste but hey if that your favorite color for everything then I would go for it.

This is coming from a guy who was a lil hesitant on getting green on my white pearl hatch but then again its not common and I'm not like everyone else so I went with it. Again not everyone likes em but I do and I'm the one driving the car each and everyday. Good luck with your choices and if you dont like em in the end get em powdercoated later.

It does work, but I think something a touch bronzer and less gold would still look just as good and not as STi-ish. Unfortunately, there's nothing like that in this set of wheels (although I've seen others from other manufacturers). I agree that black looks pretty slick which is why I'm surprised it's got the least votes (with white), but again, those darker colours are really 'safe' colours to go with.

Whit could definitely look good, I just don't think I'd ever really get used to it and it tends to be a pretty stand-outish colour, so for that I'd just go with Orange. Like you said, Orange is my favourite colour so I've got a default inclination to go orange and it doesn't look half bad :P

Do you have pictures of your car I can see? I could swear I've seen it somewhere on the these boards before but where I honestly can't remember. Nice to have the opinion of someone else who 'went against the grain'.


orange looks pretty good

I didn't think Orange would get this much support...woo!

[taz4432]

21 Voters...good turnout thus far! Comments are definitely appreciated too - why do you think what looks best looks best? Are there any specific little things or is it shearly based on whatever caught your eye the most?

P.S. To any sponsors, let me know if you carry or can get in O.Z. Racing wheels. Gotta get them from someone ;)