winter tires for my 2018 mazda 3 sport GT (questions)

[starwind]

Just over a month ago I leased a nice new 2018 Mazda 3 Sport GT with premium and tech packages from Jeff the Biz @ Mazda of Toronto (definitely worth the drive from Ottawa! it is my second car from Jeff... the first was a then-new 2007 Mazda 3 sport GT who has now been retired).

We are rapidly approaching the start of winter here (thousands of geese are fleeing south every day; and at night we are in single digits temperatures) and in Ottawa winter tires are pretty much required.

The OEM tires are 215/45R18.

I am looking at Michelin X-ice Xi3 as I have had good experience with Michelin Xice on my previous Mazda 3. On their own steelies.

The local dealership here has a search tool on their website that suggests I downsize to 205/60R16. The xice tires would be $161 each plus taxes and fees, less the Mazda and Michelin rebates. Plus the rims.

Using the same tool to search for the OEM size kicks up 215/45R18 xice for $264 each (!!!).

Other than the obvious cost savings of $100 per tire and I am almost afraid to find out how much per rim, why would one downsize ?? What are the advantages and disadvantages ? What imapct will it have on the various (and many) safety features the car has ? What about on speedometer and odometer ? How the car handles ?

Which size is the actual preferred/recommended one for winters for my car ?

I appreciate any insight any of you can provide.

Thanks !

Starwind.

[krash3]

The 16s are basically the same size as the 18s. I have a 2015 3 gt, I run 235/40/18 in the summer and 225/5017 in winter.
205/60/16 have a cushier ride, are cheaper than 18s and you can get a set of steelies for cheap obviously. And they are recommended going down
either one or two sizes for winter. And there will be no impact on the safety features of said car as the engineers at Mazda thought of different sizes
of wheels, tires, and their different weights. Thats why 16s come standard on the basic 3.

[MikeSafari]

What krash3 said for the most part, but I can heartily recommend against buying winter tires from a dealership. I was quoted over $1,400 all-in for a Michelin X-Ice Xi3 package when places like Costco and Kal Tire were quoting around $850. Just a silly price difference.

Personally I ended up going with Nokian Hakkapelliitta R2s in 16" for my '17 GT sedan.

[starwind]

Thank you both for the info.

Mike: somehow, the dealership here is about the same as Costco.

SW

[krash3]

Sometimes the stealerships have good deals on tires and sometimes they don't.

[GinZa]

Check wwwwl.tirerack.com

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[GinZa]

Check wwwwl.tirerack.com

Sent from my SM-G950W using TapatalkWww.tirerack.com

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[sarujo]

I went with Blizzak WS80's and they are amazing for deeper snow and ice. It's possible to get 4 solid seasons if you take care of them. Going on 4th here.

Personally I think there are better choices than Xice, especially for areas with more snow than just icy/slippery conditions.

[mazdaagain]

When you downsize the tires the advantages are :

1) smaller wheel size = less cost
2) downsized tire is more narrow which cuts through snow better
3) higher sidewall - softer ride in snow

https://www.thoughtco.com/why-downsize-your-winter-wheels-3234481

The only time you should consider NOT downsizing is if you have a higher end vehicle that has some of the new technology like EPS systems. These features may not operate as well if the footprint of the vehicle is altered.

[r4BBiT]

When you downsize the tires the advantages are :

1) smaller wheel size = less cost
2) downsized tire is more narrow which cuts through snow better
3) higher sidewall - softer ride in snow

https://www.thoughtco.com/why-downsize-your-winter-wheels-3234481

The only time you should consider NOT downsizing is if you have a higher end vehicle that has some of the new technology like EPS systems. These features may not operate as well if the footprint of the vehicle is altered.Whats EPS?

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[marchz24]

Canadian Tire has these on clearance

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/general-tire-altimax-arctic-tire-0041724p.0072180.html#srp

Had them before and really like them...
I found it interesting that they are made in Germany

[bj21]

Costco usually has the best price and they are super favorable on dealing with problems down the road (warranty replacement, road hazard etc)

Never bought from dealership but have bought several times from a forum sponsor as well as Costco and there's no comparison when dealing with warranty issues etc...

So if you have the patience to deal with Costco (it can be a nightmare on weekends and around the first snowfall) - I would say Costco FTW

[t1b3r1u5]

Going to through the process to get a winter set on my 2017 M3 Sport GT and I've received conflicting advice from tire shops. One says 16 inch wheels do fit on the GT trim due to the calipers. Others say 16 inch will fit.

Can anyone with my model year confirm that 16 inches actually fit?

I'd like to go with 205/60R16 if possible.

Thank you!

[GinZa]

Going to through the process to get a winter set on my 2017 M3 Sport GT and I've received conflicting advice from tire shops. One says 16 inch wheels do fit on the GT trim due to the calipers. Others say 16 inch will fit.

Can anyone with my model year confirm that 16 inches actually fit?

I'd like to go with 205/60R16 if possible.

Thank you!I have a 2018 m3 gt and are using 16 inch winters

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[Flagrum_3]

When you downsize the tires the advantages are :

1) smaller wheel size = less cost
2) downsized tire is more narrow which cuts through snow better
3) higher sidewall - softer ride in snow

https://www.thoughtco.com/why-downsize-your-winter-wheels-3234481

The only time you should consider NOT downsizing is if you have a higher end vehicle that has some of the new technology like EPS systems. These features may not operate as well if the footprint of the vehicle is altered.

EPS should not be affected as the 'footprint' does not matter as much as it is an issue with overall circumference of the tire. Which shouldn't change if fitted properly

To the question of wheel size, best practice is to take it to a shop and actually fit the wheel and check for clearance. i.e 18" down to 16". I know with my 1st gen GT the oem wheels were 17" and I could go down to 16" but no smaller due to brake caliper clearance. I think its an unwritten rule you can downsize one size safely, but not written in stone.

@ OP - Have the clearance checked first, then check out our sponsor's prices comparing to Costco, you might be surprised. From my own experience our sponsors are pretty good in dealing with any issues afterwards.


_3

[t1b3r1u5]

EPS should not be affected as the 'footprint' does not matter as much as it is an issue with overall circumference of the tire. Which shouldn't change if fitted properly

To the question of wheel size, best practice is to take it to a shop and actually fit the wheel and check for clearance. i.e 18" down to 16". I know with my 1st gen GT the oem wheels were 17" and I could go down to 16" but no smaller due to brake caliper clearance. I think its an unwritten rule you can downsize one size safely, but not written in stone.

@ OP - Have the clearance checked first, then check out our sponsor's prices comparing to Costco, you might be surprised. From my own experience our sponsors are pretty good in dealing with any issues afterwards.


_3

Awesome thanks for the answer. Yeah I'm not in Ontario anymore so I can't really go with the sponsors unless there's anyone in Vancouver that can give me a recommendation!

[t1b3r1u5]

I have a 2018 m3 gt and are using 16 inch winters

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Good to know! Are you running steelies? What's your tire size? Thanks!

[GinZa]

Good to know! Are you running steelies? What's your tire size? Thanks!205/60/16 with steelies

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[t1b3r1u5]

205/60/16 with steelies

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Awesome. Just placed an order with PMC due to a lack of stock in GVA. Thanks for the help!

[dismantling]

any recommendations for 2018?

any good deals out there?

looking for winter tires and rims for 2018 mazda 3 gt

[G ~ MINI]

I also find amazing cash back at Hankook https://www.hankooktire.com/ca-en/event/ongoing.1361.html?act=read&page=1
I drive on Ventus V12 evo2 summers and the Winter i*cept evo2 (W320) and got back 100$ each set.
I actually got the best price for these Hankook through my mazda dealership...
Not sure if TM3 discount would apply ...

[dismantling]

Yorkdale mazda has a deal...dunlop tires and rims and installion for $1000 plus hst.

[S.F.W.]

Yorkdale mazda has a deal...dunlop tires and rims and installion for $1000 plus hst.

That's really expensive...check simply tire for better offers -
http://simplytire.com/winter/mazdapdf.pdf

[Flagrum_3]

That's really expensive...check simply tire for better offers -
http://simplytire.com/winter/mazdapdf.pdf

I agree, most dealer prices on snows and wheels are really up there.



_3

[stefanb]

I'm a big fan of tires23 in Mississauga. The difference at the dealer I think is the price of the wheels, not the tires (they all buy from same distributor) and the labour rates.

You're going to be paying $800-$850 out the door for a decent set of tires (dunlop, continental, nordfrost) and steelies no matter where you go.

There is very minimal markup in the tires themselves, that's why you never see good deals (which is why they do rebates) and also, it's fall - no smart business is going to give deals in the most revenue generating time of year.

[spw3rdgenmazda3gt]

That's really expensive...check simply tire for better offers -
http://simplytire.com/winter/mazdapdf.pdf

Simply Tire, the wife and i are going to them in a week ..

[G ~ MINI]

Those are good prices ...
Check each tire manufacturers website for mail in rebates too

[spw3rdgenmazda3gt]

I've just contacted simplytire .. best prices i have seen for complete packages

[akaOtter]

I am selling a set of stock 16" wheels with winters from my 2014 Mazda3 sport. If you're interested, i can grab a couple pics of them for you. The tires are Falken EurowinterHS439. 205/60R16 96H. They have a few winters on them, but are in pretty good shape still.