16" or 17" ?

[Alejandr0]

Hey there, I'd just like to have some suggestions before spring comes by about opinions. I'm debating wether to get 16 or 17 inch rims on my 1st gen... I don't plan on lowering it but I'd still like it to look decent and not like a 4x4. What size do you guys think looks best on the stock suspension?... Any input is very much appreciated.

[Rob23]

Seeing how 16" and 17" are both stock sizes, they both look good.

[The Wolf]

17" looks better. I have 16" winters and it looks a little funny to me sometimes.

[ptgrad2012]

not meant to jack the thread, but if keeping it stock height
does 17 look better than 18?

[stevenma188]

19s or bust yo!

[trulankan]

not meant to jack the thread, but if keeping it stock height
does 17 look better than 18?

i think 18's would look better on stock height and fill in the gap a bit more.

[Punkrockjohn]

go with 17s

[-RJ3-]

I'm going 16's. I can get tires cheaper then 17's.

[6strings]

17s or higher.

[Alejandr0]

I'm going 16's. I can get tires cheaper then 17's.

This was actually one of the main things I was thinking of... The price of tires. Aside from that, how is the ride on the stock 17's on the Mazda 3 - bumpy or fair or unnoticeable? It's another one of the things that keep me looking at 16's.

[r4mi5awi]

Assuming you're coming from 15s, I would go with 17s as an overall good fit (keep in mind the +2 upsize rule). IIRC any sizing from stock to 3 inches (18"+) or higher may lead to very noticeable difference in ride, speedomoter, odometer, etc. somebody correct me.

[The Wolf]

Assuming you're coming from 15s, I would go with 17s as an overall good fit (keep in mind the +2 upsize rule). IIRC any sizing from stock to 3 inches (18"+) or higher may lead to very noticeable difference in ride, speedomoter, odometer, etc. somebody correct me.

When you change rim sizes, your tire size changes as well. For instance:
Stock 16" tire size is 205/55/16
Stock 17" tire size is 205/50/17
Etc...

The bolded number represents the sidewall profile (height) in relation to the tread width. As the rim increases in size, the tire decreases correspondingly in order to maintain proper speedo/odo readings.

Of course you don't have to stick to this formula. I am running smaller tires on my 17's in order to get the look I want. It's only about a 1% difference though so it's negligible.

[brucewayne]

17" looks better. I have 16" winters and it looks a little funny to me sometimes.

same. car looks retarded. i hate winter

[6strings]

Assuming you're coming from 15s, I would go with 17s as an overall good fit (keep in mind the +2 upsize rule). IIRC any sizing from stock to 3 inches (18"+) or higher may lead to very noticeable difference in ride, speedomoter, odometer, etc. somebody correct me.

As sawatsky mentioned, the tire size changes according to rim diameter.
Main thing that will change is difference in ride comfort. Steering may also feel a bit heavier if you have wider wheels.

[Shinglez]

22' spinners or gtfo

[loosecannon]

22' spinners or gtfo

22 feet spinners. Nice.

[FD22]

22' spinners or gtfo


22 feet spinners. Nice.

:chuckle

[Shinglez]

22 feet spinners. Nice.

I meant what a said ;)

[midnightfxgt]

I meant what a said ;)

Damn... I thought my 20" wheels were big. 22' FTW lol

[Alejandr0]

When you change rim sizes, your tire size changes as well. For instance:
Stock 16" tire size is 205/55/16
Stock 17" tire size is 205/50/17
Etc...

The bolded number represents the sidewall profile (height) in relation to the tread width. As the rim increases in size, the tire decreases correspondingly in order to maintain proper speedo/odo readings.

Of course you don't have to stick to this formula. I am running smaller tires on my 17's in order to get the look I want. It's only about a 1% difference though so it's negligible.

thanks for the info. I am getting a good deal on stock 17" rims but they have 215/50/17 tires on them, would this be ok?