18 inch vs 16 inch?
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Totally agree. It's like they were made for 18s they look so much better
I think so too. I'm just about to get my first Mazda 3 with 16's. First thing I going to do is search for some factory 18's
And fewer bent rims.
Or you can have a happy medium and do 225/50R17...looks much better than the 16's and still gives plenty of sidewall.
Interesting, I hadn't thought about that!
I'll definitely look at doing that! Seems to give you more tyre choices too!
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327 Posts
And, if you can find a set of factory 17s, they'll probably be cheaper than the 18s.
I guess that would have to be a previous model, or did the 2014-2018 come out with 17's at some stage?
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So does the CX-5, though offsets may be slightly different.
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Keep in mind that OEM rims are pretty heavy....lighter is better.....
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My 16-inch factory alloy wheels weigh about 19 pounds each without the tire. Although they weigh a bit more than some higher-priced aftermarket alloy wheels, I like the fact that the OEM rims have proven to be sturdy and trouble free in my pothole-infested area.
Besides that, I tend to actually like the 16-inch tire look; they provide the wheels with a little "meat on the bones." Yummy.
Besides that, I tend to actually like the 16-inch tire look; they provide the wheels with a little "meat on the bones." Yummy.
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The 18s look vastly better. Although I will say the ride quality on the 16s is much better. The 18s are borderline harsh on my 2015. Also, so far I’ve had good luck with no cracked rims in Chicago but I noticed one of my tires was leaking slowly 5-7 psi over the course of a month and found that the part of the rim that connects to the tire stem had corroded. Discount Tire replaced the part but said that once it’s started, the problem will return until eventually when the rim will need replacing. Anyone else had this issue? I’ve heard of it on older cars but not on an 8 year old car before.
Apparently certain 18s on Mazdas can crack on severe potholes. I saw a newer 3 at my dealership with a wheel bent in at 90º and that's what I pictured every time I went over railroad tracks or big craters. The switch to 16s makes me much less paranoid! Plus, as I mentioned, it makes a world of difference to the car's refinement. I'm no longer irritated by the ride, and the steering is much more pleasant.
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3 Posts
It's just you.
I find 40 series sidewall is a great balance between comfort and performance. Currently on 18x9.5 on mine.
In regards to breaking/bending wheels, I've run 35/40 series rubber almost constantly for decades and attribute the issue to inattentiveness.
In regards to breaking/bending wheels, I've run 35/40 series rubber almost constantly for decades and attribute the issue to inattentiveness.
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