2005 Mazda 3-S wheel fitment

[jabh123]

So I am in the process of purchasing new summer tires and rims (get them now, so I don't have to rush once spring is here) currently on 16 inch steelies with winter tires, but for the summer tires can I upgrade to 17 inch wheels?


My 2005 Mazda 3, is the 4 door sedan that came stock with the 16 inch wheels the names I've seen for it were Mazda 3-S or Mazda 3 GS/GX


So can I upgrade to the 17 inch wheels, 205/50R17 size, without it hitting the the wheel well?



Cheers

[Thrizzl3]

yes but use 215/45/17

[jabh123]

yes but use 215/45/17


any reason you recommend that over 205/50/R17?


would the 205/50/R17 not work just as well? just curious as i am getting a pretty good deal on this size

[Thrizzl3]

any reason you recommend that over 205/50/R17?


would the 205/50/R17 not work just as well? just curious as i am getting a pretty good deal on this size

215/45/17 is the factory size.

[stevenma188]

Actually, 205/50/17 is what you get on the stock 17" rims. Most people opt for 215/45/17 because wider tires = better performance.

[htc***]

Actually, 205/50/17 is what you get on the stock 17" rims. Most people opt for 215/45/17 because wider tires = better performance.


205/50/17 is factory tire for 17 in.

215/45/17 will be to slow for your speed, according to tire calculate on this link (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html). Uses 225 or 235/45/70, I think it will be on par with speedo.

[Pokaroo Kris]

According to 1010tires.com, from your factory 205/55/16

At 215/45/17, at 100 km/h you will be travelling at 101 km/h which equals to being 1.052% too fast

At 205/50/17, at 100 km/h you will be travelling at 99.1 km/h which equals to being 0.807% too slow

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

[midnightfxgt]

205/50/17 is factory tire for 17 in.

True


215/45/17 will be to slow for your speed

False. a 215/45/17 will work perfectly fine.

[Lockdown]

There are a couple of good sticky threads in this section that cover everything you will need to know.

[htc***]

True



False. a 215/45/17 will work perfectly fine.

I'm not agree.

According to this link 1010tires.com (http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp)

205/50/17 - 60 mph / 100 km/h
215/45/17 - 61.1 mph / 101 km/h (Speedometer Difference: 1.868% too fast).
225/45/17 - 60.2 mph / 100 km/h (Speedometer Difference: 0.397% too fast but only minor).
235/45/17 - 59.4 mph / 99 km/h (Speedometer Difference: 0.998% too slow).

All 4 sizes work perfectly fine for factory 17 inch (205/50/17) but The best size is 225/45/17 to replace the factory tire.

[The Wolf]

The best size is 225/45/17 to replace the factory tire.

I was gonna suggest that haha. But really, the speedo difference between these sizes is impossible to notice.

[jabh123]

Well thanks for all the replies everyone


I think I'm going to stick with the 205/50/17s as I am getting a pretty good deal on a set of them


Thanks again everyone, but keep the discussion going so we can get a definite answer

[midnightfxgt]

I'm not agree.


I'm not care. Your is wrong.

1.9% is a perfectly acceptable margin. Thousands of people on these boards alone have run it and not had issues. Anything lower than 3% is widely considered acceptable. Use the 1010tires calc again, and put in a size higher than 3%, it will issue a warning. You know why? Because <3% is acceptable.

Sigh.

[htc***]

I'm not care. Your is wrong.

1.9% is a perfectly acceptable margin. Thousands of people on these boards alone have run it and not had issues. Anything lower than 3% is widely considered acceptable. Use the 1010tires calc again, and put in a size higher than 3%, it will issue a warning. You know why? Because <3% is acceptable.

Sigh.

You don't care because it isn't your car. Sorry to say that.

[midnightfxgt]

You don't care because it isn't your car. Sorry to say that.

I have put hundreds of 214/45/17 tires on Mazda3's, and have run them on my own car.


You do not know what your talking about. A 3% speedo difference is acceptable. Show me somewhere stating that a 215/45/17 will not work on a Mazda3. you can not.

Explain why hundreds (if not thousands) of people here run them with no issues? you can't.

[htc***]

I have put hundreds of 214/45/17 tires on Mazda3's, and have run them on my own car.


You do not know what your talking about. A 3% speedo difference is acceptable. Show me somewhere stating that a 215/45/17 will not work on a Mazda3. you can not.

Explain why hundreds (if not thousands) of people here run them with no issues? you can't.

I never said it didn't work on Mazda 3 but I said The best size is 225/45/17 to replace the factory tire 17 in.

[midnightfxgt]

Your still wrong!

A 225 is not the best fit on a 6.5" rim width. Even look at your precious 1010tires site.

A 225 is closer to the original size, but not the best for this rim. His best options on stock wheels are 205/50/17 and 215/45/17!

Jabh123 - Take the advise of an expert, and not someone who thinks the know whats best :)

[jabh123]

midnightfxgt - alright, so can i get away with just using 205/50R17 without issues?

[midnightfxgt]

You can use a 205/50/17 on a stock 17" wheel all day.

17" Wheels and OEM sized tires will fit on any of the Mazda3s with no issues :)