Thinking about new rims/tires...need advice.

[Hotsky]

I've been thinking about this lately...

Debrief
I still have factory steel rims on my '05 Mazda 3. Original Toyo tires were replaced at 55K in October '09, they weren't bold, but well worn and slid when roads were wet. After doing a bit of research (I wanted all seasons that were good in snow) I went with Goodyear Assurance Tripple Tread. Last winter I broke down and finally got winter tires (and was happy to have them this year!) I'm now at 140K so Goodyears have about 70K on them (85-15 for 2 winters I had 'snows' on) they sucked this winter before I switched them over and starting to slide when wet. Co-worker has same tires on a mazda 6 and they are way more worn out so I'm sure I could get a lot more use out of them (they rated for 130K) mine still have lots of rubber but outer tread (http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/goodyear_assurance_tripletred_1.jpg) is getting low...

My options
Winter is supposedly over so it's almost time to take off snow tires and put Goodyears back on (I only have one set of rims). But I hate paying $80-100 x2 for every winter. :bang So I was thinking I could;


1) Get new set a of steel rims and put on my all seasons on and keep using them for another year or two (maybe more). Rims will pay for themselves soon enough.
or
2) Get new steel rims and new all seasons. ** if I do that I'd want to get a wider tire - 205 instead of 195 which what I have now. ** Sell Goodyears on Kijiji and keep snow tires on old rims.
or
3) Get decent aluminum rims and lower profile tires to match. Get a few bucks for old tires and use steel rims in the winter. As much as I'd like that I really don't want to blow $1500-2000 to make 8 year old car look nicer :/ but I suppose I can still use them if/when I get a new car.
or
4) Go with easiest, cheapest up front option and keep everything the same, drive extra carefully when roads are wet and keep switching for snows in the winter.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for the advice.

[peterm15]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=65648

Problem solved ( as long as your tires will fit. )

[Genpu_Mz3]

if your interested, i have my old steel rim set, still mint (i have a separate winter set) i could sell you, cheap, my all seasons will still be on them ( 2 of them are no good but the other 2 still have plenty of tread left) PM Me If Your Interested.

heres pics:


http://imageshack.us/a/img843/9643/p1000988i.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img707/3215/p1000989o.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img10/4165/p1000990r.jpg

[FD22]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=65648

Problem solved ( as long as your tires will fit. )

:like
lol

OP; sent you a PM.

[sarujo]

Option #3 FTW! :headbang

You don't need to spend $1500. 16" alloys are cheap and will be lighter than your steelies. Check the forums sponsors or the TM3 classifieds. You can easily get new alloys under $500.


I've been thinking about this lately...


1) Get new set a of steel rims and put on my all seasons on and keep using them for another year or two (maybe more). Rims will pay for themselves soon enough.
or
2) Get new steel rims and new all seasons. ** if I do that I'd want to get a wider tire - 205 instead of 195 which what I have now. ** Sell Goodyears on Kijiji and keep snow tires on old rims.
or
3) Get decent aluminum rims and lower profile tires to match. Get a few bucks for old tires and use steel rims in the winter. As much as I'd like that I really don't want to blow $1500-2000 to make 8 year old car look nicer :/ but I suppose I can still use them if/when I get a new car.
or
4) Go with easiest, cheapest up front option and keep everything the same, drive extra carefully when roads are wet and keep switching for snows in the winter.

.

[mazdaagain]

Check the forums here. You can usually pick up some used alloy rims with tires for between $600-800. There's a few listed now.

[Hotsky]

FD22, I would prefer 16" rims but thanks for the offer.

Can anyone point me in towards any dealers that have good deals on the rims? I'd like to spend under $150 per rim.

[sarujo]

Check out the forum sponsors that deal tires and wheels.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?115-Sponsors

[Hotsky]

Update: so my tires are now gone...there goes option 4 :D

[Hotsky]

My 195/65/15 tires are gone...Will have to get something new before I wear out my snow tires. I don't want to push the envelope and get the lowest widest profile tires and biggest rims, but really don't want to go back to 15" rims and 195 tire width. I'm thinking 17" maybe even 16" or 18" either 205 or 215. What combo would you guys recommend for a 2005 2.0L Mazda 3?

[07carbon3]

xxr 530 :D

[6strings]

There are a lot of choices.
You don't have to go to an extreme to achieve a good look.
I run 18x8 with 225-40-18 tires.
But it also depends on if you are planning on lowering your car.
Check out this thread:
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?52082-The-official-quot-Will-this-fit-quot-thread!

And some of the member rides section to get an idea of how sizes differ on different applications.
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?126-Member-Rides

Good Luck.

[Hotsky]

At this point I'm trying to learn what size rims work with what tires with out throwing off the speedometer/odometer.

[Hotsky]

Thanks, no plans on lowering the car.

[6strings]

You'll be very very safe with 18x8. Check out the sticky threads in the wheel and tire section. Its very useful and helped me out when I was in the same position.
As you may already know, the bigger the rim, the lower profile tire.

Or if you want to go with 16 inch rims, look for FD (rx7) rims they are 16x8, good and light. Look for the reinforced ones, they weigh 16lbs or something like that.

[Hotsky]

As you may already know, the bigger the rim, the lower profile tire. that much I know lol.

So 18" rim = 40? 17" =50? 16" = 55?

[Thrizzl3]

yup

[6strings]

Oh btw... as much as you say so... you're going to want to lower it. As much as you fight it LOL

[6strings]

wait a flying minute... you created two threads for the same purpose?

[loki]

Threads merged

Creating 2 threads about the exact same thing makes loki angry

[FD22]

Threads merged

Creating 2 threads about the exact same thing makes loki angry

:facepalm?

[Hotsky]

Sorry guys, the thread in general was to decide if I want to keep the old tires or upgrade. (and it didn't get much response) the other thread was once I was looking for a more specific information on the rims/tires.