[speed demon]

hey, everybody I read some threads with members wondering if 16' steel rims will fit the speed 3 for winter tires. Well good news i confirmed it today it will fit witl just enough clearance to clear the front caliber and drum without doing any mods so winter speeders speed on.

 

[ibrewalot]

What size are they and what tires did you put on them?

 

[dunston]

Sounds good. Thanks for the tip! :yes:

 

[speed demon]

The size of the steel rim that will fit the 2010 mazdaspeed 3 is 16* 6.5 / 5-114 that you can get at tirerack or the dealer and i put on 205/55/16 Blizzaks

 

[O'Haire]

Any pics with the steelies?

 

[speed demon]

No pictures with the steelies yet its only sept and i'm only getting ready for the winter not trying to rush it here its already long enough over here in new england lol

 

[Jetech]

I plan on getting the same thing from tire rack but with 205/60/16 instead. Anyone know how much a difference if any, in speed/mph between 16's and the stock 18's?

 

[O'Haire]

So before I pull the trigger on these 16" steels and blizzaks, there's no issues with clearance or anything else?

 

[speed demon]

No theres clearance issues I jacked up the car mounted the wheel on the front and spun the tire and there was no clearance issues or rubbing.

 

[O'Haire]

So no spacers needed? I keep hearing varying reports =p

 

[speed demon]

No not with the size rim I got its a close fit but it will fit with no rubbing issues

 

[teabaggin]

so you had the car jacked up and mounted tires and ther was no rubbing? did you drop the car and SEE if there were no issues once the suspension was taking the load of the car on the ground?
................... just tryin to clarify

 

[wolly6973]

so you had the car jacked up and mounted tires and ther was no rubbing? did you drop the car and SEE if there were no issues once the suspension was taking the load of the car on the ground?
................... just tryin to clarify

I remember reading that's where the problem is I think...
It hits some suspension piece.
Would like to hear from speed demon on this...

 

[StRYCH9]

Speed Demon..lookin to buy the same setup for my 2011 that I just brought home tonight. Any issues on the ground? Stock lug nuts work okay? Need to by a set quick...last October Nebraska was buried in snow by now...LOL.

 

[O'Haire]

I just received my 16" steelies and general altimax's from tirerack yesterday. If I get a chance this weekend I'll put them on and see how they fit.

 

[StRYCH9]

I just received my 16" steelies and general altimax's from tirerack yesterday. If I get a chance this weekend I'll put them on and see how they fit.

Sweet. That is the exact set I have in my Tire Rack wishlist. Cheap, great winter rubber. Keep us posted. Thanks!

 

[wolly6973]

I just received my 16" steelies and general altimax's from tirerack yesterday. If I get a chance this weekend I'll put them on and see how they fit.

So how'd it go??

 

[B-mtrd]

I'm a noob on winter/snow conditions (Just moved to New England) and was wondering if it is better to get on the second set Snow tires or All season tires?

 

[novice_01]

if you got ms3 with summer tires definately go with snow rims/tires. I'm getting winter package for my ms3 here in MO. All seasons not that good for snow.

 

[StRYCH9]

Well, I lucked out. Found a set of aftermarket Ford Fusion 16" rims (Ultras, I think) with Blizzak tires mounted on them for $325 on Craigslist. Tires are shorter than I wanted but for the price I couldn't beat that. Decent looking wheels, too. I'll post a pic when I mount them up.

I guess my point is that if you look hard enough you can likely find a compromise fit that agrees with your budget. These are 16x7" wheels @ 40mm offset with 205/50R16 tires on them, so I will lose .5" of ground clearance (not ideal, but manageable), but they'll serve my purpose.