RX8 OEM Rims on a 3

[RedRaptor]

Anyone one in TO seen a 3 (sedan or hatch) with RX8 OEM rims? I haven\'t seen one on the road yet. Do you guys think the RX8 rims are too heavy for the 3?

[billyfo]

As I remember, all 3s I have seen on the road including mine:p have stock rims. If you also browsing M3F, it already has a discussion about it, although not a straight answer. You can make friend with your dealer or Flipspeed, let him help you:D

[bluntman]

The RX8 rims will fit on a 3, according to the thread in M3F. However, I\'m not sure if the owner had to order \"blanks\" (rims without the mounting holes) or not, I don\'t think he had to.

As for the rims being heavy, they\'re probably a bit heavier than the stock rims, most likely by a pound or two at each corner (just speculation though).

[RedRaptor]

What do you guys think of them? I would want to get bigger rims but I would like the car to look as stock as possible. Would being 1 or 2 pounds heavy make a big difference in performance?

[bluntman]

I like them, but with any \"plus sizing\" lowering is a must, it will look more pronounced on the front than on the rear. Check the M3Forums, I think the owner\'s name was Malebastard, he lives in Oz.

[M Cube]

I\'ve seen a Mazda 3 Sport GT with RX-8 rims last week @ the IKEA parking lot @ hwy 400 / hwy 7. It\'s Mica Orange, lowered and with the 2.3 badge where the \'Axela\' should be. It\'s very sharp and that makes me want to lowered mine......... :p

[Nex]

Originally posted by bluntman


I like them, but with any \"plus sizing\" lowering is a must, it will look more pronounced on the front than on the rear. Check the M3Forums, I think the owner\'s name was Malebastard, he lives in Oz.

Please please lower your car before you get any rims. Or else your car will look like a 4x4:p

[Grifter]

I was/am seriously seriously contemplating the RX8 rims also. But I\'m leaning towards not getting them now because I think they just look too similar to the stocks to justify that kind of cost. Just my opinion.

[Xenon]

Seeing that my car is blue...

I saw a really nice 18\" rim at DarKnights. On top of that... it had a gold finish. Looked really sweet... the design was similar to the MazdaSpeed Protege... Except gold and 18\"

My bro thinks they would look good on my car. But seeing how I have 17\" already, I don\'t think it\'s worth getting the 18\"ers.

[RedRaptor]

Well I think the RX8 rims look better than the Mz 3 17\" rims. True its only one inch but it does make a big difference. The only thing that I would be concerned about is the weight of the RX8 rims. I\'ve read that they are much heavier and therefore will affect acceleration and performance of your car. I haven\'t been able to find any numbers yet compared to the stock 17\" rims.

If anyone can find out, do share!

[bluntman]

If you really like the look of the rims, I\'d say just go for it. Unless you find something that would take your mind off of the RX8 rims, you\'ll probably kick yourself everytime you pass by a Mazda dealership or see an RX8 on the road. If you are going to be doing any sort of autocrossing then go for lighter rims.

[RedRaptor]

Well I like reading stats and data on things, so it would great if someone who had those rims on their car and talk about the performance differences.

[bluntman]

Originally posted by RedRaptor


Well I like reading stats and data on things, so it would great if someone who had those rims on their car and talk about the performance differences.

That\'s the thing, not many in the world have even thought of putting RX8 rims on their 3. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. :(

[RedRaptor]

Did some research over the RX8club.com forums for RX8 owners and they were talking about how heavy the stock rims are. They approximately 20-22LBS per rim. I believe the stock 17\" OEM rims are much lighter. Doesn\'t seem like a good idea to put heavy tires on a economic car like the 3.

[bluntman]

Well, all I\'ve got to say to you is GOOD LUCK finding an 18\" wheel that is lightweight and doesn\'t stray too far from the OEM wheels.

[FLIPDADY]

Originally posted by bluntman


Well, all I\'ve got to say to you is GOOD LUCK finding an 18\" wheel that is lightweight and doesn\'t stray too far from the OEM wheels.
He could always go with Volk Racing rims. Less than 20 lbs. at about $600 a piece.

[RedRaptor]

If you were to put RX8 rims with tires 225/40/18 on a Mazda 3, what negative effects would there be? Would it make the 3 look like a SUV? How about adjustments in terms of speedometer?

[FLIPDADY]

I\'ve handled both the 17\" MZ3 rims and the 18\" RX8 rim. There really isn\'t much weight difference between the two. Remember when you\'re plus sizing rims always take into account that it can affect the reading of your speedo.

[fat mike]

18\'s wont affect the spedo, and they wont make the car look like an suv. Its only one inch more in diameter plus you can compensate with a lower profile tire.

[RedRaptor]

Originally posted by FLIPSPEED


I\'ve handled both the 17\" MZ3 rims and the 18\" RX8 rim. There really isn\'t much weight difference between the two. Remember when you\'re plus sizing rims always take into account that it can affect the reading of your speedo.

Flipspeed, what tires were on the RX8 18\" rims when you were testing it? As in, what were the numbers?

In terms of affecting speedometer, how would it make it inaccurate? Would it show a slower speed than you\'re actually going?

[Dr Butcher]

Putting bigger rims on your car won\'t necessarily change your speedometer reading. What you need to do is make sure the overall diameter of the tire stays the same while you decrease the size of the sidewall.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

here\'s a useful tire size calculator when plus-sizing rims:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

+/- 3% is ideal....225/40/18 is 0.1% too slow, which is negligible...which means that the RX-8 rims/tires should be a direct swap.

[RedRaptor]

Thanks for the link. So if I was to install RX8 rims with 225/40/18 tires, would my car feel taller than it is with the stock 17\" rims and tires?

[Dr Butcher]

Originally posted by RedRaptor


Thanks for the link. So if I was to install RX8 rims with 225/40/18 tires, would my car feel taller than it is with the stock 17\" rims and tires?

IMO the car should look and perform almost identically to what you have now. If you upgrade from 17\'s to 18\'s all you\'re doing is decreasing the sidewall by 1/2 an inch. Is it worth the expense of new rims and more expensive tires?

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Originally posted by RedRaptor


Thanks for the link. So if I was to install RX8 rims with 225/40/18 tires, would my car feel taller than it is with the stock 17\" rims and tires?

np

the car won\'t feel taller. the overall diameter of 225/40/18 tires + 18\" rims is pretty much equal to that of the 205/50/17 tires + 17\" rims.

your ride may be harsher since the sidewall on the 18\" is now 90mm (3.5\") vs. 102.5mm (~4\") for the 17\".

[RedRaptor]

In my last post I talked about having 225/40/18 tires. Isn\'t that bigger than the stock 205/40/17? The car should be higher up (raised) a little compared to the stock 17\" rims & tires. Is this true?

Is it worth it? Probably not. ;) But I\'m just examining my options in terms of wheels and tires. I probably will need to pick up a set of winter tires once I get my car. I will probably get a set of performance tires eventually. So I\'m thinking of getting a set of performance tires and the RX8 rims and then using the 17\" rims with the winter tires. By then I\'m sure the GoodYear Eagle RSAs would be no good.

[Dr Butcher]

Red, the outside diameter and circumference of the 18\" tire is practically identical to the 17\". It\'s the inside diameter of the tire that is changing, that\'s all. Your car will be the exact same height and everything. All that\'ll happen is the you\'ll lose 1/2\" of sidewall and the tire should have a stiffer sidewall.

[RedRaptor]

Thanks for clearing that up Doc. :D

[Big__M]

Hey Red,

I am Miguel from the Mz3/Axela forum. I am now on the hunt for a single 18\" wheel. As for the weight question, they are no heavier than the 17\'s IMO, possibly even lighter. I think lowering the car would make things look better but it\'s not a requirment. I am going to lower my 3 in the spring with some Eibach Pro springs. I\'m gunna keep the stock struts cause I think they\'ll last a really long time with these springs. its a small drop. Anywho, i\'ll send you some pics when all is said and done!!!!!!!!!!!

[RedRaptor]

Big_M/Miguel,

Welcome to Tm3 forums! Good to have you onboard.

Last time I checked with you, you were looking for one more wheel. But you still have more time as winter is just around the corner so you have a couple of months to hunt for the 4th wheel.

I have decided that I am going to go with the RX8 18\" wheels also next summer. Yes they do look like our stock 17\"s but they do look a bit better and I prefer not getting aftermarket rims. I\'m not going to lower the car as I actually like the height of the 3 right now. Hopefully I\'ll be able to get the Toyo T1S tires on the 18\"s next summer!

But first mod is HIDs first...

Can\'t wait to see your pictures.:hoho

[Big__M]

ya,

I have some time to hunt for one more wheel at a half decent price. I can\'t wait to get em on, they look so nice in the boxes!!!! I might lower my car using the Eibach Pro springs in the spring as well. Its a very minor drop however it will make the 18\'s look much better on the car. Since it just a small drop, I am going to keep the stock struts for as long as possible, hopefully until I pay off the car and sell it to someone else :) (I want to get a G35 coupe!!!!) As for now, everything is pretty well stock (Titanium Sedan GT w/GFX) After all is said and done I want to tint, lower it and put on the rx8 wheels, then i\'ll be satisfied.

Mike.