Tire width choice for 17x7.5 +45, stock suspension

7040 Views 10 Replies 4 Participants Last post by geeboss, Jan 23, 2017

EastCoastSkyactiv3

Discussion Starter · Jan 21, 2017

Hi all,
Realized I posted this first by mistake in the MS3 portion of the forum...my bad...

New here, and I've had my '13 MZ3 Skyactiv 6spdMT for about two months now. Love it so far and I'm going to be adding mods slowly but surely.

I'm set on the Sparco Assetto Gara wheels, 17" x 7.5" +45 offset and I'm trying to decide which tire width to use. I will be keeping the suspension stock.

Basically, I'm trying to decide among:
- 215/45R17
- 225/45R17
- 245/45R17

I'm not very knowledgeable about the wheel/tire/suspension geometry.

Any input appreciated, thanks!

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EastCoastSkyactiv3

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 22, 2017

Thank you fellas!

I don't like the thought of having 1/2" more wheel gap on stock suspension, so perhaps...

225/50R17 would make sense, esp. for a 7.5" wide wheel?

Hoping that'd be more reasonable and livable for a daily driver that I do almost 100 miles a day in...

I'm not terribly concerned about unsprung weight as I won't be racing the MZ3...that's what my Miata is for

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EastCoastSkyactiv3

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 22, 2017

Thanks again, arathol. I appreciate it a lot.

I'm looking for all-seasons because I don't want to have to worry about the tires being outside/driven in the cold (early spring, late fall) as I don't have a garage and I absolutely cannot be stuck in summer tires if it snows (MD). Thinking about the Dunlop Signature HP, something with at least a 400 treadwear rating. I'm a little partial to Dunlop because I have ZII Star Specs on my summer/AutoX setup for my NA Miata and they are fantastic.

As for tire size, I'm now trying to choose between the 215/50R17 vs 225/50R17. I have a feeling I'll like the meatier look of the 225 but can be convinced otherwise of the 215 for the sake of driveability. I won't be carving any canyons in the MZ3, so a little tire squirm won't necessarily be an issue (unless it's a legitimate safety concern). I'm also keeping the suspension stock, so a little bit taller of a tire shouldn't be an issue in the wheel wells.

PS that's a beautiful M-edition NA ya got there, arathol.

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EastCoastSkyactiv3

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 23, 2017

arathol said:
I have the Dunlop Signatures on my 3. That is a good tire, much better than OEM. Good grip, much quieter and ride a lot better too. From what I can see the 225 is your only option though as 215 seems to be unavailable ?
I also have ZIIs on the factory Miata rims. The Advantis on the car have AD08Rs on them.
Have you looked at the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 ? That is a very good tire also.

I really appreciate your input. Looking like I'll be going with the 225/50R17 (on 17" x 7.5" +45), probably with the Signature HPs. Continental DWS 06s are a little pricey IMO but they're worth a look because they have great reviews and look super aggressive. I'll have to check the price difference.

I probably forgot to mention that I'll be doing this via Tire Rack because they're great.

My NA has ZIIs on Kosei K1s and I love the fitment even though it's a relatively mild 15x7 and 195/50R15 tire. I've seen some AutoX-ers put 225s on a Miata haha...

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EastCoastSkyactiv3

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 23, 2017

geeboss said:
On my 2011 Mazda 3 2.5L I've gone from OEM 205/50R17 to 225/45R17 and currently running 235/45R17. The 7.5" wheel width with the 225/45R17 seems to be the sweet spot. The 235/45R17 could use a 8" width wheel for its sweet spot. For all seasons I've tried the Yokos Avid S34, Goodyear TripleTred, Michelin Pilot AS/3 and currently running on BF Goodrich comp sport AS2. Like the Michelins the best and the BF Goodrich are a closed 2nd. I'll go back to Michelin's in their AS/3+ when the time comes. I'm not a high mileage driver so I favor grip over longer tread life.

Thanks for the info! Looks like I'll be going with the 225/50R17 with 17"x7.5" +45 wheels, as I don't want more wheel gap (45R) and a taller tire (50R) doesn't worry me on stock suspension.

I'm still trying to figure out which exact tires but I saw the BFG Comp AS2 available as well as Dunlop Signature HP and Conti ExtremeContact DWS 06. Treadwear/tread life is important to me as I do about 500 miles a week.

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