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Mazda 3 Tire & Wheel Questions

269 messages,  Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 11:26 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA3, Tires, Wheels, Hatchback


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#63 of 269
Re: Does Mazda 3s 5-door takes 16" rims ? [JBaumgart] by tomjones75
Mar 06, 2008 (10:08 pm)
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Replying to: JBaumgart (Apr 09, 2007 10:52 pm)

16" do work on the 5 door. I have a 2006 3 5-door hatch and got a 16" steel wheel package for it. 16" are the low end wheel package but do fit any mazda 3
#64 of 269
rim/wheel quality, etc by mazdrvr
Mar 07, 2008 (5:39 am)
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Ok, i'm having fun *not* with things keep happening. Is it normal for the paint/finish of Mazda rims to chip and/or scratch easily? I'm thinking no but wanted to make sure; heres why... After i came home (yesterday, when i had wheel alignment done), don't know what made me but i went to look at my tires & rim and noticed a tiny piece of the paint (edge near center emblem) sticking up and it peeled off. Thats nothing but i also notice a small scratch on top & a chip also near the center. They are pretty small but thats the new rim i just replaced 3 days ago! It was from the alignment place.
Would you guys say something or just let it go?
I know nothing can't be done but i paid a little extra for "adapters" so they would not get damaged... Plus i have to go back because my steering wheel slightly goes right on straight road. (i kinda don't want to go back because i don't want more damage but i did pay for the service in the first place!) This is not the first time either, the other time, at Mazda, i had my tires rotated i had 2 small, deep scratches but by the time i noticed, it was days later.
When you guys get wheel work done, do you get scratches, chips on your rims? I swear it is so hard to find people/places that do a good job!!
 
**i forgot which member but they mentioned theres places that can fix rims... what kind of place is it? Thanks in advance (again)!!
#65 of 269
Re: does a bigger tire make a difference... [tomjones75] by mazdrvr
Mar 07, 2008 (5:45 am)
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Replying to: tomjones75 (Mar 06, 2008 10:06 pm)

So 16" will give you a smoother ride & mpg and 17" is better performance/handling?
Another ques, is a 17" compared to 16" more prone to road hazards?
#66 of 269
Re: Tire Pressure Problem [mazdrvr] by tomkozski
Mar 07, 2008 (11:16 am)
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Replying to: mazdrvr (Mar 06, 2008 5:52 pm)

Go to a tire shop and check the tire for damage. If one tire keeps losing pressure, you might have a nail or screw in it. It's not the fault of the car, it just happens. A few weeks ago I had a nail in my tire that was causing it to lose pressure.
#67 of 269
Re: does a bigger tire make a difference... [mazdrvr] by tomkozski
Mar 07, 2008 (11:27 am)
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Replying to: mazdrvr (Mar 07, 2008 5:45 am)

A 16" tire will give you a smoother ride because there is more sidewall (more tire) to absorb the bumps. A 17" rim means having a tire with a lower profile, necessitating a stiffer and stronger sidewall. There's less tire to smooth out the bumps (and protect the rim from large potholes), but you will have better handing as there's less sidewall to flex and bend during hard cornering.
 
As for mpg, a 17" rim weighs more than a 16" rim (if made from same materials). In a Mazda 3, the stock 16" rim weighs 18lbs, 17" rim weighs 22lbs. That's four more pounds at each corner. Due to rotational forces (and a bunch of other physics/math terms), more power is needed to get a car with larger and heavier rims going. The trick in getting larger rims, if you really want to increase performance and handling, is to get lighter rims, or else its all just for show. Ok, handling might be better due to a shorter sidewall, but you'll definitely be slower.
 
For a Mazda 3 hatchback, and all 'S' trim Mazda3s, smallest rim that will fit is 16" due to the size of the disc brakes, as they are larger than on the 'I' trims. 15" will not fit.
#68 of 269
Re: rim/wheel quality, etc [mazdrvr] by roadburner
Mar 07, 2008 (12:47 pm)
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Replying to: mazdrvr (Mar 07, 2008 5:39 am)

When you guys get wheel work done, do you get scratches, chips on your rims?
 
No, I either use my BMW indie shop or one of Tire Rack's recommended installers.
 
I swear it is so hard to find people/places that do a good job!!
 
I agree, that's why I always use a shop that has received good reviews from people I trust.
 
**i forgot which member but they mentioned theres places that can fix rims... what kind of place is it?
 
Here's one place that several of my automotive writer friends have used. No personal experience, however.
#69 of 269
Re: Tire Pressure Problem [tomkozski] by mazdrvr
Mar 10, 2008 (3:04 pm)
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Replying to: tomkozski (Mar 07, 2008 11:16 am)

All tires are fine; no nails or screws...
#70 of 269
Mazdaspeed 3 tire replacements by networkguy
Mar 21, 2008 (8:12 am)
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I was washing my 2007 Speed 3 the other day when I noticed that my sticky Bridgestone R050A summer tires are getting pretty worn at 15,000 miles. I love the tires, but replacement is pretty expensive. Anybody have experience with alternatives?
#71 of 269
Re: Mazdaspeed 3 tire replacements [networkguy] by roadburner
Mar 21, 2008 (10:57 am)
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Replying to: networkguy (Mar 21, 2008 8:12 am)

Tire Rack has the R050A for $197 each; everything else in the "Max Performance" category costs about the same or more. I'm probably going to drop down to the "Ultra High Performance" class and buy the Kumho Ecsta Sports for $116 a tire. I've fitted a couple of sets of Kumhos to my 3 Series track rat and I've found them to be very good tires- especialy considering the price.
#72 of 269
Re: Mazdaspeed 3 tire replacements [roadburner] by networkguy
Mar 21, 2008 (11:22 am)
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Replying to: roadburner (Mar 21, 2008 10:57 am)

I've fitted a couple of sets of Kumhos to my 3 Series track rat and I've found them to be very good tires- especialy considering the price.
 
The last set of tires I put on my old Mustang GT were Kumho. They were very good tires for the money. That may be the route I take. With the cost premium fuel heading rapidly toward 4 bucks a gallon, I don't want to spend an extra 800+ a year on tires. At least I get far better MPG than I ever had with the Mustang

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