RX8 Rims on 2010 Mazda 3 Sedan

[FunAndEZ]

Has anyone put the older 5 spoke RX8 rims on a 2010 sedan? I haven't been able to find pictures of this combo. I guess more importantly, how would it look at stock height? I don't really want to lower my car but I don't want it looking like a 4x4.

Also, if I have to lower, should I go with lowering springs, or coilovers? Basically I don't want my ride quality to be affected that much. I don't want it to feel like I'm driving a go kart all hard and stiff on the road. A friend of mine had a lowered car, and it was so stiff and rough that he ended up going to stock suspension and height.

My second concern with lowering is winter driving. I live in the city, so snow isn't a huge deal. However, for those of you with lowering springs that cant raise their cars for the winter, how do you find that?

[aris]

Hit26 has them on his 2010 hatch

[hit26k]

*Paging McGuyver_3*


He had a 2010 sedan with rx-8 rims. Looked really sweet! I'm hoping someone can post a pic.

[aris]

*Paging McGuyver_3*


He had a 2010 sedan with rx-8 rims. Looked really sweet! I'm hoping someone can post a pic.

I totally forgot he had them on his sedan

[mit-gee-mui]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?39753-can-someone-please-photoshop-this-for-me&p=536529&viewfull=1#post536529


:FYI smiley

[hit26k]

^^ To the rescue once again!

[FunAndEZ]

Thanks for the quick reply guys. Thats exactly what I was looking for.
I'm definitely digging the look. I want something that looks stock, but with bigger wheels.
I need to get winters for this car, so I'll use the alloys I have now for winter driving.

[mit-gee-mui]

Because the above picture is blurry::whoa
http://www.stanceiseverything.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mcguyver1.jpg
Source: http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?43397-AA-Thursday-s-2010-Season-Opener-at-Nextmod-(April-16-2010)&p=601090&viewfull=1#post601090

:FYI smiley

[Trinidad]

You can also take a look here at my thread to see what they look like without a drop for comparison. http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?45746-FS-or-FT-Shinka-RX-8-RIMS-Excellent-shape&highlight=

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2738/dsc00031r.jpg

Oh I do miss my Rims :(

[FunAndEZ]

Damn, thats clean looking car. Im usually not a fan on white on the mazda3, but this one looks nice.

[Freakzaz]

Also, if I have to lower, should I go with lowering springs, or coilovers? Basically I don't want my ride quality to be affected that much. I don't want it to feel like I'm driving a go kart all hard and stiff on the road. A friend of mine had a lowered car, and it was so stiff and rough that he ended up going to stock suspension and height.

I've heard that getting Eibach prokits are just a bit stiffer than stock with a mild drop. A friend of mine suggested going with Koni FSD struts if u want to preserve good ride quality but want good handling too. Coilovers I guess will just give you the best customization as you can dial in whatever you feel is right for you.


My second concern with lowering is winter driving. I live in the city, so snow isn't a huge deal. However, for those of you with lowering springs that cant raise their cars for the winter, how do you find that?

People have stated that coilovers can be brutal in the winter. Eibach prokits can be a bit stiff so some people end up switching back to stock for the winter, but there are people who also just leave it in. It's all based on what you term as rough or not.

[zzz3]

lets say you lower your car (eibach prokits), would switching to 16" oem steelies from 18" rx-8 rims be an issue in the winter? what would be a good way to lower so it is usable in the winter with smaller wheels with out any difficulties?

honestly trinidad's ride height looks fine to me and if lowering is more trouble than its worth (i.e. in the winter) than i have no problem sticking to stock suspension.

[mazdathree3]

Switching from RX8's to 16" steelies is perfectly fine with a prokit drop, there won't be any issues.

[zzz3]

Switching from RX8's to 16" steelies is perfectly fine with a prokit drop, there won't be any issues.

one last question, would there be any issues (especially with 16" in the winter) in bottoming out (i carry a lot of gear/passengers). and can you recommend any other alternatives i should consider (good ride, handling; dont mind if its more stiff than stock) or is the prokit the best value?

[Booter22]

Those look so good!

[aris]

one last question, would there be any issues (especially with 16" in the winter) in bottoming out (i carry a lot of gear/passengers). and can you recommend any other alternatives i should consider (good ride, handling; dont mind if its more stiff than stock) or is the prokit the best value?

No iusses...as long as you stick to the stock height you will have no problems 205/55/16 and for your 18's (RX8 rims) 225/40/18

[Fuyuzora]

one last question, would there be any issues (especially with 16" in the winter) in bottoming out (i carry a lot of gear/passengers). and can you recommend any other alternatives i should consider (good ride, handling; dont mind if its more stiff than stock) or is the prokit the best value?

I might be off-base here, but it seems you may have misinterpreted how changing rim size affects total wheel diameter.

When you increase the rim diameter, you decrease the sidewall profile of the tire accordingly. When decreasing rim size, the opposite applies. So a 16" rim with 205/55R16 tires has a virtually identical overall diameter to an 18" rim with 225/40R18 tires.

If you're not bottoming out in the summer, you won't in the winter either.

[justin@KP]

Just put my rx8s onto my 2010 sedan with profit drop
I must admit I love my car even more one hahah
:)

[zzz3]

I might be off-base here, but it seems you may have misinterpreted how changing rim size affects total wheel diameter.

When you increase the rim diameter, you decrease the sidewall profile of the tire accordingly. When decreasing rim size, the opposite applies. So a 16" rim with 205/55R16 tires has a virtually identical overall diameter to an 18" rim with 225/40R18 tires.

If you're not bottoming out in the summer, you won't in the winter either.

thanks for the explanation :)


Just put my rx8s onto my 2010 sedan with profit drop
I must admit I love my car even more one hahah
:)

any major difference in ride quality (stiffness) and handling?

[justin@KP]

thanks for the explanation :)



any major difference in ride quality (stiffness) and handling?


umm i realize it requires a lot more effort to steer and with the prokits, it does get quite stiff..
other than that its amazing i love it.. here's a pic

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199240_10100171157910252_28125020_60523964_8142754 _n.jpg

[FunAndEZ]

Nice car man.
So I ended up getting the RX8 rims, I got them on stock suspension. It does look a little off tho. I'm considering the drop. How much did you pay for the springs, and how much was it to get them installed?

[D4ng3r]

FunAndEz,

I paid $288 shipped from tirerack

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Eibach&model=Pro-Kit+Spring+Set&group=Pro-Kit+Spring+Set&partNum=5545.140&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MAZDA3+i+4-Door&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=

Please see if your toronto forum sponsors can get you something similar first.

To install them you can do it yourself with someone that has a spring compressor, or a shop would probably do it for $80-$150.

[justin@KP]

funandez i got mine for 250 from nextmod
and got it put on for 100 by a friend :)

[Freakzaz]

Nice car man.
So I ended up getting the RX8 rims, I got them on stock suspension. It does look a little off tho. I'm considering the drop. How much did you pay for the springs, and how much was it to get them installed?

I'd suggest going for the 04-09 Eibach Prokits if you want the same great look as jaytinwong's. It drops more than the 2010+ Prokits for the same price. I went to 360auto (Heritage Rd. near McCowan & Hwy7) and got my springs installed for $130 - and that's with installing my summer rims/tires too, not bad.

[zzz3]

Nice car man.
So I ended up getting the RX8 rims, I got them on stock suspension. It does look a little off tho. I'm considering the drop. How much did you pay for the springs, and how much was it to get them installed?

i got my rx8 rims and the gap isnt that bad (it'll look better once i put the skirts on). you should look into racing beat springs
http://www.racingbeat.com/Mazda-3/Spring-Sets/71081.html
mild drop and works great with stock struts/shocks. im going to see if nextmod can get them.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/Jafarthebiz/dc19990e.jpg

still need to drop mine...

[Trinidad]

Looks nice Jeff! What do you plan on using to lower it, springs or coilovers?

[Jeff-TheBiz]

probably springs...

[Thrizzl3]

ohh that's stealthy...;)

[zzz3]

[IMG]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/Jafarthebiz/dc19990e.jpg[IMG]

still need to drop mine...

so shiny! what colour did you coat them in? tints look great as well (aftermarket?)

[Dansilva]

looking to do the same thing with same car looks sick im prob going to plasti dip them gray or black

[stovetop]

RX-8's go with every mazda3

[mcatahan]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/Jafarthebiz/dc19990e.jpg

still need to drop mine...

Im going for the same set up as this. Got rx-8 rims with 225/45/18s... was wondering what tire specs you were running and if il rub with 45/18s. Also, Im dropped 2 inches

[Lmmorden]

Im going for the same set up as this. Got rx-8 rims with 225/45/18s... was wondering what tire specs you were running and if il rub with 45/18s. Also, Im dropped 2 inches

You shouldn't rub... I rub with 225/40/18 rx8 rims but only with 30mm wheel spacers