new tires or new wheels and tires?

[Lava Speed 05]

Ok so I was already to blow $1200 and get a set of 6uls 15x8 with hankook rs-3 tires because discount tire doesn't carry any 17" tires even close to stock 205/40/17.... well I found 215/45/17 RS-3 tires at Tire Rack. Just getting tires is more appealing financially but I am unsure of how it will affect performance adding the extra width and sidewall on the same stock 17x7 mazdaspeed wheel.

I know the 6ul option would likely be the best option but it's also nuch more expensive.

[Jeremy]

It's going to change your gearing, it might rub your fender liners, and the tires are going to be heavier, so acceleration may suffer a bit.

Probably won't be a big deal and you might enjoy the extra 1-2 mph in every gear. If you are sure they'll fit without destroying your fenders than get them.

[Lava Speed 05]

Thanks Jeremy. There is some room under there but I will throw the numbers in the wheel\tire comparison tool off of 949racings site and check the exact size difference. I believe it said it was a difference of 3mph when I checked it quickly, but I was more concerned with it affecting handling negatively. If that's not a concern I'll just double check fitment before I order.

[nc4me]

It's going to change your gearing, it might rub your fender liners, and the tires are going to be heavier, so acceleration may suffer a bit.

Probably won't be a big deal and you might enjoy the extra 1-2 mph in every gear. If you are sure they'll fit without destroying your fenders than get them.

Are you suggesting he just get the larger tires for stock rims?

[impalanut]

The new tire will be 1.1 in taller, .4 in wider and the speedo will be off 5% which will be 60 mph on the speedo will actually be 63 mph

[Loren]

Are you suggesting he just get the larger tires for stock rims?

Are you suggesting that it's a problem?

The stock Mazdaspeed wheel is, if I'm not mistaken, 17x7. Plenty wide enough for a 215 width. The height and gearing change isn't enough to worry about.

[nc4me]

Are you suggesting he just get the larger tires for stock rims?

Are you suggesting that it's a problem?

The stock Mazdaspeed wheel is, if I'm not mistaken, 17x7. Plenty wide enough for a 215 width. The height and gearing change isn't enough to worry about.

No. I would recommend he just gets tires. When I read Jeremy's post and then Lava's, I was not sure what Jeremy was suggesting. It seemed like Jeremy was talking about just tires, but Lava's sounded like he was checking on clearances for wheels and tires. Just wanting clarification.

[jev61]

Ok so I was already to blow $1200 and get a set of 6uls 15x8 with hankook rs-3 tires because discount tire doesn't carry any 17" tires even close to stock 205/40/17.... well I found 215/45/17 RS-3 tires at Tire Rack. Just getting tires is more appealing financially but I am unsure of how it will affect performance adding the extra width and sidewall on the same stock 17x7 mazdaspeed wheel.

I know the 6ul option would likely be the best option but it's also nuch more expensive.

Matt, check out the Extreme Performance Summer tires in 215/40 or 235/40: The Star Specs and the AD08s are available in 215/40 which is .3” taller than stock, yet 10mm wider than stock. And the RE-11s, Star Specs, and the AD08s are available in 235/40 which is .9” taller than stock, yet 30mm wider than stock.

If you want tires that will last longer, check out the S Drives available in 215/35, 215/40, 225/35 (I like this for your car, .4” shorter and 20mm wider than stock), and 235/40.

My worth cents worth, Joe

[Lava Speed 05]

My concern is with clearance of the 215/45 s on the mazdaspeed... I just looked at mazda-speed.com they seem to shy away from the 45s due to rubbing up front...

I really need to decide on something, I am so torn.

[jev61]

My concern is with clearance of the 215/45 s on the mazdaspeed... I just looked at mazda-speed.com they seem to shy away from the 45s due to rubbing up front...

I really need to decide on something, I am so torn.

It appears S drive's in 215/35 at 22.9" tall or 225/35 at 23.1" tall would be the choice.

[Jeremy]

If you are not rubbing somewhere sometimes, your tires are too small. My fender liners look like swiss cheese.

[twistedwankel]

My concern is with clearance of the 215/45 s on the mazdaspeed... I just looked at mazda-speed.com they seem to shy away from the 45s due to rubbing up front...
I really need to decide on something, I am so torn.

You have too many options all ready so here are more.

Thanks to AWD cars getting blowouts, Tirerack will shave virtually any new tire for only $25ea extra so they all match. So you just have them shave new 9/32" tread down to 5-6/32" to remove diameter, tread squirm, rubbing, chunking and increase the life of the tire while xcrossing due to less heat sink. Or just do the fronts allowing the rears to wear down naturally and save $50.

OR you can run different size tires front and rear like the S2k, et al, so long as you stick with same design tires and reasonable diameters this isn't a problem. But then you can only flip them on the rims for wear and cannot rotate them front to back.

If you have enough lug thread grip (or change to longer lugs) you can install fitted 1/4" wheel spacers on the front to allow more clearance. This also gives you 1/2" greater track in front but will shorten bearing life a tad.

Ideally you will find a secure dry cool storage space to store your cheap used 8" rims and new 140ish racing tires for the month between events. It's alot more enjoyable when you have an actual shot at stickers!! Not an STD (Slowest time of Day) - not the other kind you are thinking of that is also avoidable with a good rubber.

[Lava Speed 05]

Well I didn't want to be shoeless this weekend so I panicked and splurged... I have four 225/45-15 Hankook R-S3s from TireRack already on the way, and a set of black 15x8 6ULs should be shipping out tomorrow.

Thanks for all the advise guys as always you are all more than helpful.

[jev61]

Well I didn't want to be shoeless this weekend so I panicked and splurged... I have four 225/45-15 Hankook R-S3s from TireRack already on the way, and a set of black 15x8 6ULs should be shipping out tomorrow.

Thanks for all the advise guys as always you are all more than helpful.

Awesome, that is the setup I want on my car too. I've got the R-S3's, now I need to save up for the 6UL's. I've been going back and forth in my mind debating black or nickel finish.

Look to seeing your new shoes,
Joe

[Lava Speed 05]

I was torn between the two.. I originally contacted goodwin racing and asked for black and he had the nickel, but when I went to order it shipping was $220 for 3 day fedex... I went to see where the other vendors of the 6ul wheels were located and contacted Phil's tire service in NY and spoke with Kim. They were out of the nickel but had the black and a shipping price of $88 was much more appealing due to my procrastination.

Brian Goodwin was great to respond quickly to my questions and emails but $220 for shipping which is 1/3 the price of the wheels I couldn't justify the cost. I will gladly do business with him in the future.

Now I just need to do a ton of driving Friday once it's all put together to get as much of the sealant off the tires as possible.

[twistedwankel]

[/quote]Awesome, that is the setup I want on my car too. I've got the R-S3's, now I need to save up for the 6UL's. I've been going back and forth in my mind debating black or nickel finish.
Look to seeing your new shoes,
Joe[/quote]

Joe...If you get 8's, I'll have to get 9's and probably new shocks and a bar too. Maybe even some Puerto Rican dancing shoes. Save us both alot of money and just drive it like you stole it

Doug

[Lava Speed 05]

I almost ordered the 9's but they won't clear the stock suspension... I'll use these for a year or two and upgrade to dedicated 9" track wheels if I move into a more serious suspension.

[jev61]

Awesome, that is the setup I want on my car too. I've got the R-S3's, now I need to save up for the 6UL's. I've been going back and forth in my mind debating black or nickel finish.
Look to seeing your new shoes,
Joe[/quote]

Joe...If you get 8's, I'll have to get 9's and probably new shocks and a bar too. Maybe even some Puerto Rican dancing shoes. Save us both alot of money and just drive it like you stole it

Doug[/quote]

Doug, why limit your self to 9's when you can get 9.5's? Enkei RP-F1 18x9.5, 45mm offset 5x114--- SALE! $285.00 http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... 1051b.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh my gosh! 9.5" wide wheels clear your stock fenders and suspension; we can only use 8" with stock components. You get more power and more tire!

Joe

[twistedwankel]

[/quote]

Doug, why limit your self to 9's when you can get 9.5's? Enkei RP-F1 18x9.5, 45mm offset 5x114--- SALE! $285.00 http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... 1051b.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Oh my gosh! 9.5" wide wheels clear your stock fenders and suspension; we can only use 8" with stock components. You get more power and more tire!
Joe[/quote]

That is just sick isn't it!! Not to worry I only paid $300 for a whole set of spare stock wheels with TPS and factory lug nuts/locks included. SSA and Medicare won't cover sexy wheels and new rubbers only new valve stems.