[Davidval18]

Hello everybody!

So I'm continuing the project with my car.I live in Israel and I need Max Performance Summer Tires.

Mazda's 3 in Israel come with stock Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT, which is ranked 14/30 in tire rack:

Dunlop*SP Sport Maxx TT

I'm considering new tires since IMO the road noise on these tires and car is irritating, so I'm considering on getting the Pilot Super Sport, ranked 1/30 in tire rack:

Michelin*Pilot Super Sport

The only provider of these tires in my area has them only in 225/40/18 size, so my question are the following:

1- Is it worth the upgrade?
2- What can I expect in terms of fuel consumption change? decrease or increase?
3- Road noise? More or less?
4- Handling i.e,bumpers and cornering? better or worse? stiff or soft?
5- Should I consider 225/45/18 tires?or any other tire size besides 225/40/18?

Take into consideration I'm on stock suspension, with plans to upgrade the springs in the future

Thank you for you time!

May G-d bless you all!

 

[vic_bam85]

With wheels this size the only care you need is with the bumpers and holes in the road. I have the Toyo proxies 215/45 R18 and it already have one small bump on one side due to a hole at 60km/h.

I've found the following:
Mazda 3 Series Tyres - Tyre Reviews

 

[ELegend3]

I'm assuming that you're running 18x8 wheels, right? I would personally easily go for 225/45/18 tires, specifically because I like slightly taller tires overall because it closes the wheels gap a little bit more. You said you're planning to upgrade your springs... So unless you're going corksport springs (big drop), I would go for taller tires (this is just me lol) to close the gap a little tiny even more.

225/40= around 25.1 inches tall

25/45= around 26 inches tall

stock 215/45=around 25.5 inches tall


You can also go with 235/40/18s which will pretty close to stock height (25.4 tall).

But yeah, I've seen 225/40s on Mazda3s, and I always tell myself, "they look a little small on the Mazda3"... Again, this is just me and not trying to insult anyone that has those sizes lol.

 

[louisbosco]

the stock rims are 18x7 if you have the 18 inch ones. with the 18x7 225 is the max i'd go in terms of width..

i'm running 225/45r18. i had a look around for 225/40r18s but none of the tyres with that sidewall 40 have the min weight for the mazda 3. i believe our min load index is 91 and the 215/40s come with 89. the michelin pilot super sport are a great tyre in terms of dry+wet handling. don't expect any longevity out of it. besides the pss, maybe consider the advan ad08r. dry grip when warmed is superb and way better than the pss imo, but the pss is better in the wet.

edit: whoopsies. didn't realise you're on aftermarket rims. if so, my general preference in terms of rim to tyre is 8 = 235, 8.5 = 245

 

[rmajor]

225/40/18 18x8

 

[leela222]

225/40 on OEM 18x7 (winter wheels/tires.) My summer setup is 18x8 RX8 wheels with 235/40 tires.

 

[Davidval18]

Thanks for the input guys! Your cars look great!!!

I'm thinking about bigger width perhaps 225/40/18, but I think that in order to make it look amazing I will need to close the gap and lower the suspension...

With lower suspension 235/40/18 looks sick I must admit...very slick!

 

[ManualGT]

225/40 on OEM 18x7 (winter wheels/tires.) My summer setup is 18x8 RX8 wheels with 235/40 tires.

Hi, are you experiencing any rub on 235/40/18? Noticeable changes in turning circle?

 

[rmajor]

225/40 on OEM 18x7 (winter wheels/tires.) My summer setup is 18x8 RX8 wheels with 235/40 tires.

How are you finding winter driving with that low suspension. I'm assuming corksport or h&r? Snow and potholes?

Curious because I'm on the eibachs and that's low enough given the roads we have here.

 

[Cookie_Thumper]

225/45/18 on 18x8.

Ride is fine.

 

[leela222]

How are you finding winter driving with that low suspension. I'm assuming corksport or h&r? Snow and potholes?

Curious because I'm on the eibachs and that's low enough given the roads we have here.

@rmajor the pics of my cars above are with H&R/Koni Yellows. I am now on BC Coilovers which is basically the same height as the H&R's. I live in NJ, so I haven't really driven in snow with being low. I lowered the suspension in April of last year. We have only had one snowfall about 6 inches and it was on a weekend and the main roads were clear. But the backroads I was one with what snow was on the roads, I had no issues.

 

[leela222]

Hi, are you experiencing any rub on 235/40/18? Noticeable changes in turning circle?

@ManualGT, no rubbing issues or turning issues with the fronts. I did have to have the rear fenders rolled when I first had the wheels/tires installed with Corksport springs.

 

[swedishstile]

225/40/18 18x8

What offset?

 

[rmajor]

225/40/18 18x8

What offset?

ET 40

 

[zx6rrdan]

I'm running 16 winter and 17 summer... way too many pot holes around here to give up another inch of side wall

 

[arathol]

I'm running 16 winter and 17 summer... way too many pot holes around here to give up another inch of side wall

This ↑ ↑ ↑

I can't think of too many good reasons to have 18 or 19 inch rims on a car this size...17s with 50 series tires is the way to go.

 

[louisbosco]

but it's hard finding ultra performance tires at the sidewall ratio with rims size i reckon. pilot supersports, advan ad08r etc. well at least for me with the kind of driving and track days..

 

[zx6rrdan]

This ↑ ↑ ↑

I can't think of too many good reasons to have 18 or 19 inch rims on a car this size...17s with 50 series tires is the way to go.

I'm running 225/45-17 bit smaller than stocks but the stock had speedo reading low so now reads a little high which is good

 

[Smovi]

Looks like you have BFG tires

 

[Southern3isport]

I'm running 245/45/18 on 2016 3 Isport sedan. 18x8.5 wheels...... no rubbing, drives like a champ