MazdaSpeed3 Rim question - good price?

[NaturalMystic]

Hey gang, I could use your opinions on something. I've been out of the tuner scene as an active participant for about 15yrs. You could say I'm one of the old school guys from the early 90's so obviously a lot has changed in terms of rim manufacturers, etc.
I drive an Audi A4 1.8T Quattro now but my wife will be using it more for work. Because I'm in need of a 2nd vehicle (primarily for my photography gigs shooting motorsport events, tunershows, model shoots, etc) I needed something like a hatchback to carry my camera gear. I've always liked the Mazda3 and I'll be picking up a 2005 Mazda3 GT Sport H/B within the week.
For those interested it's black on black leather, dealer will be installing 6000K HIDs for $150, aftermarket Nav system for $350 (regularly $800), and 3 yr powertrain and head gasket warranty for $399, loaded with 43,000kms. I'll be getting H&R lowering springs from an H&R distributor buddy of mine, and tinting the windows.
I'm going to keep the factory 17"s and put snows on them and am looking for 18"s for summer. I can get a set of 4 of these, brand new for $1000. I have no idea if that's a good price or not. I was told they're made by Volk Racing Rims (Rays Engineering) for Mazda and are factory upgrades for the MazdaSpeed3 and RX-8.
Are these good and is the $1000 for the set a good deal? I really appreciate any feedback you can provide.

Cheers!

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/7858/mazdaspeed18x75volkraci.jpg
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/6501/mazdaspeed18x75volkracia.jpg

I was sent this pic of them on a Speed3 (don't know who's ride or pic this is so I'm sorry if posting without your authorization)
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3173/mazdaspeed3withvolkraci.jpg

[yearoftherat]

I've got these rims on my car as well as another member here on the forum ( AFAIK, I think there are only 2 of us with these rims :) )

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k22/cjlee9/Miscellanous/IMG_1102.jpg

$1000 is a pretty good price if they are brand new. Do they also come with the center caps? I paid less than that for mine but mine were used but in mint condition. FYI,the blue car belongs to Sokol, a member on the mazda3forums.com.

[NaturalMystic]

Hey YOTR, thanks for the reply. Yeah they're brand new in the box and I believe the centre caps are included. I'll double check though. On that subject, any idea how much centre caps should cost?
Also, what brand of visors do you have there? I used to use the Auto Vent Shade version back in the day on my 88 Civic hatch but never really liked how they looked. Yours look much nicer.

Nice car BTW! I can't wait to get mine.

Cheers!

[RedRaptor]

$1000 is a great price. My sister has these rims on her sedan and they are beautiful. The centre caps cost $40 each I believe.

[NaturalMystic]

Thanks for the 411. I'll be going to check them out this Sunday. I'll just have to decide what rubber to mount on them. If these are 18x7.5 what spec tire should I go with? 215/45/18 or something? I want wide but not so much that they rub, especially once I lower the car. Also, AFAIK I don't need any spacers for these, correct?

[RedRaptor]

My sis is running 225/40/18 General Exclaim UHPs with no rubbing on stock suspension. You don't need spacers with these rims. You will require tuner lugs tho.

[yearoftherat]

Thanks for the compliments !!
IIRC, the center caps were retailing for about $50each..
I'm running the 225/40/18's with no rubbing...but then I'm not lowered.
The window visors are OEM mazda ones. Give Joe in Parts @ Mazda of Toronto a shout if you want them.

[NaturalMystic]

Thanks again guys, really appreciate the info. Hey YOTR, I thought that was an Ontario plate I saw on the front of your car. So you're in TO also huh? Cool! Yeah I thought those were OEM visors too but wasn't sure. My buddy's a mechanic at Dufferin Mazda so I'll ask him about getting me a set of the visors.
Do you attend any of the local carshows, racing events, etc? I'm the photographer for CSCS.ca (Canadian Sport Compact Series) drag racing/show n shine series that's held at Toronto Motorsport Park (Cayuga) as well as for StreetConcepts.com. I might have seen you before at a show.

[yearoftherat]

Yeah I moved here from Winnipeg approx 4 yrs ago to work @ Sunnybrook Hospital. I haven't attended any local shows due to hectic work schedules, so unless someone has taking my car to the shows without me coming along ..lol

[NaturalMystic]

Ah cool; I used to live right around there at Yonge & Eglinton. I just moved to Mississauga in March. Oh well, maybe I'll see you around sometime when your schedule isn't as hectic!

Thanks again!

[NaturalMystic]

Not sure how to edit posts here (if you can at all) but I was referring to the Sunnybrook location on Bayview Ave. I know they've got several locations in TO.

[eliminator]

Hey, I have a set of these wheels and they are top notch. Made in Japan and made to fit the mazda3/6 RX8 as they have a +50 offset. If the deal falls through on the ones you're looking at, I have a mint set of 4 of these wheels sitting in my garage with almost brand new factory rubber on them with centre caps. I also have an extra mint 5th "just in case" wheel I picked up off of ebay a while back. I had these wheels new for my mazda6 and only ran them for part of the summer last year....

[eliminator]

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/IMG_0176.jpg

[NaturalMystic]

Hey eliminator, thanks for the offer and input. It's my bro-in-law who's selling them (got them for his sister but she doesn't need them anymore). They've been sitting in his shop for a while so he just wants to get rid of them. By the odd chance that this does fall through, where abouts are you located? I'm in the Toronto area.

[NaturalMystic]

Thanks for the pic! Yeah they do look pretty tight.

[eliminator]

I'm actually a couple of hours north of Toronto, but I'd figure out a way to get down if it meant a deal.

[eliminator]

Good luck with the buy, these rims are really rare, and finding a set still in boxes is nuts. Maybe we could have an MS-T II mafia or something. How many ppl on this forum have them?

[NaturalMystic]

Wow, didn't realize they're rare. I'm wondering if that might be an issue if I need to replace one due to damage or something? I just got confirmation they all have the centre caps included, only need tires and wheel nuts. Now I just have to decide on rubber. The following were suggested:
Higher end to Mid range - Hankook RS2, Dunlop Starspec2.
Lower end - Kumho or Nankang NS1 or NS2.

[eliminator]

with the wheel lugs, I got the Mazda "official" MS-T-II black lug installation kit. I think it was about 50$ from my local mazda dealership....

[eliminator]

Oh, and if you ever need one replaced, mazda will probably have a few in stock in some random warehouse for a very long time. If you had to replace an aftermarket rim down the road, it would be much harder since they tend no to keep old stock.

[eliminator]

some other pics of these wheels....

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/IMG_0187.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/IMG_2509.jpg

my last car:
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/camerapics063.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/022222.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/gallery_307_199_85414.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/DSC01552.jpg

[eliminator]

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/purplu.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/mazdaspeedwheelstamps.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/black6.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/1752763861_23885c9d3f_o.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/495639323_e7edbae189_o.jpg
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac92/eliminator0407/WHEELS/untitledghh.jpg

[eliminator]

this dude too:http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2039559

[NaturalMystic]

Wow, thanks for all the pics and info bud, I really appreciate it. I'll call Mazda and find out about the stock situation and expected inventory lifespan of that rim, as well as pricing on the lug nuts.

[monty0501]

Hey there,
if you want the visors, I have a set of OEM visors taht I never put on the car, still in packaging, send me a PM if interested and we can work out something. I cant recall waht they go for from dealership I think around 100 + tax? Joe can confirm.

Thanks.
Monty

[NaturalMystic]

Hey there,
if you want the visors, I have a set of OEM visors taht I never put on the car, still in packaging, send me a PM if interested and we can work out something. I cant recall waht they go for from dealership I think around 100 + tax? Joe can confirm.

Thanks.
Monty

Hey Monty, thanks for the offer, I'll keep it in mind as I'm not sure what price I can get them at from my Mazda contact.

BTW, are you going to the Nextmod 1 yr anniversary event on Aug 15th? I'm hoping to swing by as I haven't been there since they opened up the shop and am overdue for a visit. I also want to see what goodies I'll be blowing more cash on!

[eliminator]

did you the rims? I finally decided to put mine on yesterday and will be putting the stock MS3 wheels and tires up for sale...

[RedRaptor]

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/9540/img0120zn.jpg

[NaturalMystic]

I just picked up my 3 on Thursday evening. Still deciding on if I want these rims as I haven't really looked around at anything else yet. I kinda prefer rims that have a deep dish look, more like you'd see on a rear wheel drive car. It's no rush really as it's my bro in law who's selling them. I'll keep you posted on what I go with and post some pics soon.

Cheers!