So it's new summer tire time on the mazdaspeed3 (2008 in case it matters, but I think the new ones are the same as far as this question is concerned) , and I'm considering making it new wheel time as well, both to go lighter, and possibly to go to 8" wide.
Assuming I get the correct offset, it seems like that 1/2" shouldn't be a huge deal from a rubbing or protruding standpoint. Am I wrong?
and if not, the next questions is... what offset (or range) should work?
Then I'll have three sets of wheels tires. Summer, Spring/Fall, and Winter :)
The front fenders on the 1st. gen. MS3 are pre-rolled from the factory, but you will need to roll the rear fender lip in if you go wider than 225 tire width (assuming offset is about the same). For my 07 MS3, I have a set of 18x8" +48ET OZ Ultraleggeras I will be adding 235/40/18 tires to (probably Sumitomo HTZ III or Dunlop Direzza D1 Star Spec). I bought them from a former MS3 owner so they fit well. Stock wheel size is 18x7" +52.5ET, so it is relatively narrow and the offset is pretty high. They also weigh 24.5lb while my new OZs weigh 18.4lb, so that is a huge weight savings!
I use this website to help me get an idea of what the changes in wheel/tire dimension and speedometer reading will be- it's not 100% accurate but it should get you in the ballpark:
http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp
You may also want to ask around a Mazdaspeed3-specific forum.
I have basically the same setup as RexSeven (except I have Allegeritas, which are only 15.5 lbs each. FACE!). The fronts weren't an issue, but the rears definitely did rub before I rolled the fenders when the rear was compressed all the way.
That wheel and tire size combo sure does look nice on the car, though, and the handling certainly takes a step in the right direction.
Thusly:
jg
I had a set of 18x8 RX8 wheels on mine (seen in pics). I had 225/45 series on them & it would bottom out if anyone sat in the back. I had the rear fenders slightly rolled but it still didn't help out too much. Had I gone with a 40 series tire it may have not been so bad.
Sonic
Dork
3/14/11 6:24 p.m.
Our non-speed 3 fits 225/40/18s with no issues. with 225/45 18 it would rub in the rear when fully loaded over bumps.
JG - You're not being completely honest with us. 
I see a front mount intercooler in there too. Project car update? Still digging the AccessPort?
too bad they aren't an awd car.
Xceler8x wrote:
JG - You're not being completely honest with us.
I see a front mount intercooler in there too. Project car update? Still digging the AccessPort?
Actually, the FMIC install has been written, laid out, and proofed since three issues ago. It kept getting cut for space reasons. I have it on good authority that it's in the issue going to press next week, however.
jg
Where's mndsm in this thread?
Thanks everyone. Not sure I want to learn to roll fenders on a relatively new car, and don't currently have an appropriate choice to practice on. Maybe I'll make a few calls and see if I can get it done for cheap enough.
EDIT: Looks like I found somebody who wants their fenders rolled on an older car, and so we're going to do that one first. Assuming that goes well enough, I'll feel better about doing it on mine.
EDIT#2: Fender rolling on the "practice" car went well. So wheels and tires ordered.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
New wheels are here, put them on just to make sure everything was happy. I would like to point out that the car was clean a few days ago. The Mazda doesn't get used much in the winter, but the Jeep came up with a dead battery. So we drove it through the ZOMG Blizzard!!! which dropped 0" of snow basically anywhere along the entire route, but there was still plenty of salt to be had. The wind on the other hand was terrifying. Going across the bridge from Duluth to Superior it was coming form our left hard enough to noticeably push the side windows in.
Immediately after this picture was taken, the winter wheels were put back on, and the car was washed.
