[O'Haire]

Unfortunately didn't have time like I thought I would during the weekend. Sorry guys. Will definitely try within the week and give info if no one else does by then.

 

[wolly6973]

Thanks for the update.
Hope it's soon. There are 2 sets on the local Craigslist I want!
My luck will be that they are gone though...

 

[StRYCH9]

Thanks for the update.
Hope it's soon. There are 2 sets on the local Craigslist I want!
My luck will be that they are gone though...

Hey Wolly! I just noticed that you're from Omaha. I am too. Hope I didn't buy one of the sets you were looking at. I know a local guy that has a set of 2004 M3 GT 17" OEM wheels for $300, if you're still looking. After last season's potholes I decided to go with the 16" for extra sidewall protection. My 2004 6 got beat up bad.

 

[wolly6973]

I'm guessing they don't have the TPMS on them for that price?
I think 17" will have plenty of sidewall for me, I am way out west and drive to Fremont daily, so I don't have too many bad roads...

 

[StRYCH9]

I'm guessing they don't have the TPMS on them for that price?
I think 17" will have plenty of sidewall for me, I am way out west and drive to Fremont daily, so I don't have too many bad roads...

No, they don't have the sensors, but why bother? You have to deal with a yellow light staring at you for a few months...meh. Not worth the cost, IMO. I ended up buying these with one-season used Blizzaks on them for $325:

 

[wolly6973]

That was a nice pick up...

I'm still waiting to hear whether or not 16" steelies fit on my 10 ms3

 

[B-mtrd]

I'm planning on ordering this set, kind of cheap and ugly but just for a few months, plus it doesnt matter if they get abused. I'm still hesitant between all season tires or winter tires

Wheels for 2010 Mazda Mazda3 4-Door i Touring

 

[wolly6973]

If you are getting wheels specifically for winter why wouldn't you get winter tires?
Get a "performance" winter tire if you see a good mix of dry/slush/snow/ice, best of all worlds for winter weather.

 

[O'Haire]

Will be finally be testing my 16" tomorrow when I put my DDM HID kit in. So I will finally report tomorrow for everyone who's on the fence.

I did not get the TPMS sensors because I was not paying an extra $256 for something that I can take care of with a $3 tire gauge just to keep a small light off of my display for the winter.

 

[O'Haire]

Tried the 16", seems to be no issues! Took for a test drive and everything seems fine. They actually don't look that bad either.

 

[StRYCH9]

Sweet, finally a confirmation. Thanks!

 

[dano285]

I'm looking at picking up winter tires/wheels for my '10 Mazdaspeed 3.

I've found Michelin X-Ice 2's for $135 each, or Bridgestone Blizzak WS60's for $121/each, both in a 215/50/17 setup. Michelin's are a deal right now as they have a $70 rebate on a set of 4.

I was planning on getting a set of 17's, el cheapo but good looking, as I don't want to scratch the shit out of the expensive factory wheels, plus I get a bit more sidewall and tire options with the 17's. Eyeballing the MKW M71's for $114/each.

What setup are you fools running, or do you have any recommendations? First time I'm doing a winter tire setup and any input is appreciated.

 

[speed demon]

Sorry guys my computer shit the bed and couldn't answer any questions.Thanks O'Haire for confirming it. I'm still waiting for snow over here in the North East so has anybody tested out the mazdaspeed 3 with snow tires in the snow?

 

[ibrewalot]

I got 4 Mastercraft Glacier Grip II (205/55R16) snows installed yesterday on steel wheels (16x6.5) for $629. Living in the Northeast, winter is pothole season and I didn't want to dent up alloy wheels, but I already miss the look of my factory wheels. We'll see how they handle in snow, but they fit with no problem and are not loud at all.

C'mon SUMMERTIME!!!

 

[B-mtrd]

I spoke yesterday with customer service at Tirerack; they said it is better to go with the 205/60/16 tires. I went ahead and ordered the Blizzak's and the steel wheels and they arrive later this week. Weather here in the NE is starting to get colder and a bit more rain. Time to take the old wheels and clean them up pretty nice.

 

[dano285]

I'm debating steelies (16x6.5) versus some cheapy 17x7's. The 16's would be 205/55 and the 17's would be 215/50.

Narrow = better with winter tires I've always been told. But I'm worried about clearance with the steelies, not everything is made the same. And my luck I'd buy the steelies and we get one snow storm all winter and I'm stuck with ugly rims for 4 or 5 months.

Input?

 

[ibrewalot]

I'm rationalizing having ugly wheels as a way to look forward to putting my nice wheels back on. Ok, as my son would say, "Fail!". There are no two ways about it...unless you're willing to brave the potholes and replace wheels when they dent, you have to put up with them being not quite so cool for a few months. I look at it as being in "stealth-mode"...the way my car looks now is average at best, but nobody will have a clue there a 263hp turbo monster hiding under the hood of my little average-looking car now either. ;-)

 

[speed demon]

I don't know about anybody else but my speed came with summer only tires and you only need one snow storm to be going nowhere fast. That why I bought blizzaks that I had on my 350z before I bought my speed and was passing suv's and that was a rwd

 

[B-mtrd]

Got them a couple of weeks ago and just got them installed. No clearance issues. The look of the car reminds me of the patrol cars from robocop :shuriken:

 

[dano285]

MB Wheels Seven X's (17x7), Michelin X-Ice Xi2's 215/50/17, and TPMS sensors. Cost me a pretty penny but it should be worth every bit. I've got an 80-mile round trip commute to work down freeways, I'd just be spinning out like mad with summer tires or all-seasons in stop/go traffic on hills.