Need opinions...
So this is the wife's car (Mazda 5), except hers is grey and doesn't have side skirts:
Trying to pick up some new wheels for it. The stock size is 205/50-17 on 17x6.5 +52.5 wheels. We have the exact same wheels as the stock picture above.
I have the choice between a set of 2010 Mazda 3 wheels and a set of RX-8 wheels.
Mazda 3 = 17x7 +52.5, one has slight curb rash (I'll fix), tires are currently 205/50 Yokohama Avid (not sure which one). I can get the set for $200.
RX-8 = 18x8 +50, two or three seem to have curb rash, and the wheels are from a 2004 model so they seem to have a bit more rock chips and things like that in the finish. Tires are currently 225/40 BFG G-Force Sport. I can get the set for $300.
The goal was to put 235/45-17 tires on for a little more sidewall (smoother ride), a slight bulge for rim protection, and a wider contact patch for more grip. I just love the way the RX-8 wheels look though... even though they will take quite a bit more cleanup, be more susceptible to curb rash, and get rid of the smoother ride target since the sidewalls would be shorter than stock. The RX-8 wheels would end up wearing 235/40-18 tires.
Tire prices- the 235/45-17 seems to run about $25-40 less per tire than the 235/40-18 size on TireRack.com. So overall, the 18s would cost about $200 more than the 17s.
Weight- doing some quick research around the web, it looks like both of these wheels are right at 22 pounds apiece. Tires are anywhere from 23 to 25 pounds each, with the 18s being 1 pound heavier if they're listed as being heavier at all.
What do you think? Vote in the poll. Pics of the actual wheels I'm choosing between are below.
MZ3:
RX-8:
So this is the wife's car (Mazda 5), except hers is grey and doesn't have side skirts:
Trying to pick up some new wheels for it. The stock size is 205/50-17 on 17x6.5 +52.5 wheels. We have the exact same wheels as the stock picture above.
I have the choice between a set of 2010 Mazda 3 wheels and a set of RX-8 wheels.
Mazda 3 = 17x7 +52.5, one has slight curb rash (I'll fix), tires are currently 205/50 Yokohama Avid (not sure which one). I can get the set for $200.
RX-8 = 18x8 +50, two or three seem to have curb rash, and the wheels are from a 2004 model so they seem to have a bit more rock chips and things like that in the finish. Tires are currently 225/40 BFG G-Force Sport. I can get the set for $300.
The goal was to put 235/45-17 tires on for a little more sidewall (smoother ride), a slight bulge for rim protection, and a wider contact patch for more grip. I just love the way the RX-8 wheels look though... even though they will take quite a bit more cleanup, be more susceptible to curb rash, and get rid of the smoother ride target since the sidewalls would be shorter than stock. The RX-8 wheels would end up wearing 235/40-18 tires.
Tire prices- the 235/45-17 seems to run about $25-40 less per tire than the 235/40-18 size on TireRack.com. So overall, the 18s would cost about $200 more than the 17s.
Weight- doing some quick research around the web, it looks like both of these wheels are right at 22 pounds apiece. Tires are anywhere from 23 to 25 pounds each, with the 18s being 1 pound heavier if they're listed as being heavier at all.
What do you think? Vote in the poll. Pics of the actual wheels I'm choosing between are below.
MZ3:
RX-8:
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