Winter wheels

[Waterbug17]

What's up guys, pretty new here and finally got my MS3 I've been wanting forever. I'm currently on some 17"low profiles and I'm not sure where to start looking for some winter wheels. Not sure what to get, or even where to start looking for a decent winter set up. I live in central Maine so a lot of snow is a guarantee, any suggestions on what to get and where to find them?

[LS2toMZR]

I'm using OEM wheels off a 93 ford probe gt with 215/55/16 snow tires. That's one idea. I grew up in Maine in the Calais area..nice to see some ms3 action up there!

[Waterbug17]

Deffinately keep that in mind, Thanks man! I've only seen one other ms3 in my area, I guess people in Maine just don't know what they're missing!

[zatara]

I'm going to miss Maine winters

I use a set of Mazdaspeed Protege racing hart wheels with Bridgestone blizzaks. They did a pretty good job. I was planning on getting a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2's after the Blizzaks were used up though.

[Waterbug17]

Do the 17"s fit with winter tires as well? I'm thinking about getting 16"s for a better fit.

[zatara]

Originally Posted by Waterbug17 Do the 17"s fit with winter tires as well? I'm thinking about getting 16"s for a better fit.

That's the fit with stock suspension.

[Waterbug17]

Thanks guys, appreciate the help.

[Poodles]

I always see people recommending tire rack. Also, I put steels on, even though they are ugly, but they are cheaper to replace than your summer mags. Or, you can get a less expensive set of mags for the winter. The advantage is supposed to be that you take less of a chance of damaging the bead on your tire during the installation process.

I've always favored Yokohama tires, but Ive used Cross County too, like now as they came with the car on steels when I bought my car used. they seem good.

[Chuthor]

I got a cheap set of 17s off of a Mazda 5 on craigslist, they don't look terrible and got a set of General Altimax Artics thrown on, they've been great.

[KyleMS32010]

I checked craigslist for a few weeks and finally found a hardly used set of 16" blizzaks on steel wheels for $400. It's still early so keep your eyes open.

[TRex]

also take a look at this package if you dont already have the wheels or tires

http://www.tirerack.com/snow/preferredpackages.jsp

personally i am running 18" blizzaks on one of my sets of rx8's

[Turbo_Steve]

I have bridgestone snow tires on the stock 18's for winter duty. Only got stuck once all last winter and it was in my own driveway....

[ArmanRus]

Originally Posted by Turbo_Steve I have bridgestone snow tires on the stock 18's for winter duty. Only got stuck once all last winter and it was in my own driveway....

Same set-up as this guy. One caveat with going with 18s though is that the tires are considerably more expensive.

If I could do it all over again I will go with 16s or 17s.

[Waterbug17]

Yea I'm on a VERY tight budget so I might have to go with smaller wheels

[smr87]

I use 16s off a base 3, they just clear the caliper by about .050". I run 205/55/16s, they handle the snow great, but its a long winter without much dry traction. Can't beat the cost of tires through.

[joseph.p05]

as some have said, the tire rack steelies/snow tire deal may be your best bet for a dedicated winter setup. looks fugly but works and keeps your wheels looking good for the spring

[Waterbug17]

So I got some nice Studded tires on some steelies, and appearently the center bore is one mm too short...so I call a local salvage yard who has plenty of mazda wheels, the dude asks what kind of car I have and I tell him 08 mazdaspeed 3. His response" theres no such thing, find the actual name of the car and I can help you". I replied with sir, that is the name of my car, it might not be in your data base. He laughed and proceeds to tell me I'm wrong and says he cant help me untill I find out my cars "real name."

[white'swhiteMPS]

Originally Posted by Waterbug17 So I got some nice Studded tires on some steelies, and appearently the center bore is one mm too short...so I call a local salvage yard who has plenty of mazda wheels, the dude asks what kind of car I have and I tell him 08 mazdaspeed 3. His response" theres no such thing, find the actual name of the car and I can help you". I replied with sir, that is the name of my car, it might not be in your data base. He laughed and proceeds to tell me I'm wrong and says he cant help me untill I find out my cars "real name."

when i worked for a tire shop there was no option for a mazdaspeed 3 either. instead i have to look up "mazda3" and then select the "2.3L turbo" option. every system is defferent obviously, but maybe thats how his is set up

[Waterbug17]

I tried explaining that to him, he was clueless.

[twincitySPEED6]

i just picked up a set of 02 mpv wheels for $100 of craigslist. the 6 spoke ones. i needed spacers in the front though to clear the caliper and im on 215/60/16 firestone winterforce tires. i got a good deal on the tires so i couldnt pass up. its a beefy fit but whatever

[Jkspeed]

I picked up a set of mazda6 rims with blizzaks for $400. Craigslist is the way to go. Or rock some steelies.

[Waterbug17]

End result is fugly, but works..could use some paint too. That time of year again, ewwww salt.

[Poodles]

in the middle of winter, with the snow and salt covering your car, who cares really what the look like. your using them for the winter so you won't damage the bead on your tire changing them twice a year, and your betting that if you unfortunately damage the rims somehow during the winter, it's cheaper to replace steel rims then your good mags. you could always have gotten 4 cheap winter mags too.