Need some suggestions !

[masterblingpimp]

Hello everyone,

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY XMAS for those who celebrate it!! Had a few minutes before the dinner party so I thought I should post :)

I recently placed a deposit on a 2008 Mazda 3 GS (White). It has the 16" stock alloy rims and tires. They tires are TOYO and at 35,000kms. I am looking to buy winter tires.

To be honest, the only thing I dislike about the car are the rims/tires. I was wondering if it is possible to place new winter tires (probably Hankook iPike) on the stock rims (205/R16) and buy a new set of rims and tires at a bigger size, maybe 17" or 18" for the non-winter tires.

Any suggestions or estimations about how much this would cost would be great. :)

Cheers!

[bman13]

1. Yes you can get the iPikes and put em on your stockers. It'll cost $490 for tires plus cost of mount/balance/install.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?47397-2010-2011-Mazda-3-15-quot-Winter-Tire-Packages-SimplyTire-For-2.0

2. Suggestions depends on whether or not you wanna go after market for your 17"/18" rims. If you want to go OEM, go with snowflakes (17"), Mazda 5 (17"), speed3 (18"), speed6 (18").

A member is selling 18" speed6 powdercoated black for $650!!!!!!!!!!!! crazy good price and would look awesome on a white car. He has pics.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?46008-FS-Black-powdercoated-MS6-Rims-w-Triangle-tires-225-40R18

:thumbsup

[masterblingpimp]

Thank you for your reply. I am willing to consider aftermarket. As well, what is an optimal rim size for 2008 Mazda 3 GS that balances performances and looks?

[bman13]

Some people say 17 cause they feel like 18 or even 19 is too heavy. It depends on the look you want. Some people feel "go big or go home" and some people just want to add some styling to their ride and go 17.

If you want aftermarket and are thinking of black rims at all, there is a member selling.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?49326-FS-17-quot-Tenzo-R-DC-5-Rims

[masterblingpimp]

Thank you for the link. Will consider it :) As well, what is the most recognized tire here on TM3 that won't break the bank? Thanks!

[DumpInfo]

:pop

[masterblingpimp]

:pop

LOL....

Also, can someone tell me some rim brands that are also good quality but are at a decent price? Very new to all of this.

[ST3ALTH]

sick Deal!!!! buy them! http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/sh...ires-225-40R18 lol

[Thrizzl3]

sick Deal!!!! buy them! http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/sh...ires-225-40R18 lol

what is that lol its a dead link

[Fuyuzora]

what is that lol its a dead link

Think he meant this posting (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?46008-FS-Black-powdercoated-MS6-Rims-w-Triangle-tires-225-40R18), but the URL got mangled.

[bman13]

^ see! lol everyone's suggesting em. If you see them on his ride from a farther shot with the whole car, I'm pretty sure you will get em :)

[Kappa]

rx8's dont forget those! or 350z rims that would be sick! for name brands check out OZ ;P or volk

[masterblingpimp]

Hello again,

I have decided not to go with 18" tires on my 3 GS. I am curious if 205/40/R17 tires would be good enough for a Mazda 3 GS?

Thanks!

[S.F.W.]

Hello again,

I have decided not to go with 18" tires on my 3 GS. I am curious if 205/40/R17 tires would be good enough for a Mazda 3 GS?

Thanks!

You would want 205/50/17, the 40 will not fit.

[W1CK3DD3M0N]

should go to tirerack.com or wheelsnext.com and use the visualizers on your model and color to give you ideas of what you'd want, you can get some decent rims for decent prices and also do tire packages sent to your door

[masterblingpimp]

Thanks for the replies. Is there an option of having a smaller sidewall height.. i want a sportier look :)

[S.F.W.]

Thanks for the replies. Is there an option of having a smaller sidewall height.. i want a sportier look :)

the 205/50/17 is a low profile setup. That said, still going to look like an SUV until you lower the car.

[Freakzaz]

Name brands that are of good quality and decently priced are quite easily found but my question to you is, do you care for if the rim you're getting is lightweight or not? I'm sure you may know the benefits of a lightweight wheel (overall car is lighter giving you better performance and fuel economy). If you care about weight then it'll be hard to find them for cheap (you could go used though), but Enkei is a good brand to go for as you're getting good quality, lightweight, and decently priced rims.