[ViViper1]

Just wanted a confirmation on if this will work and will it not rub. I live in the New england area and I plan on having these tires for spring/summer/fall. I currently have the stock M3 which I believe are 17in with 6.5 width and a 52.5 offset and P205/50/17 tires. I am still not sure what size tire I want to get. The look I want is something that will look more filling then what I have now without dropping my car.

I read Tireracks info http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46&currentpage=33on what tire sizes number means so and the following posts so I have somewhat an Idea of what works and what doesn't. I still don't completely understand what offset means. Borrowed from Marksink offset calculator, all I know is that "The point to keep in mind when selecting a wheel offset is to make sure your strut housing-to-wheel clearance is not significantly reduced, or the insides of your tires will rub suspension pieces, or not fit at all." So reading this, does that mean that I need a smaller offset from the stock 52.5 or a larger one?

My options are a
18" x 7.5" 225/40/18
17" x 7.0" 225/45/17

I was thinking of a 45 offset for the 17 and 18. From looking at the FAQ: Stock wheel/tire info & Aftermarket wheel essentials http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=25387.msg343238#msg343238

I live in pothole heaven and often drive my friends around so I have a full load. Friends aren't exactly skinny either.

References
http://marksink.com/tire_wheel_offset/offset.html
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=25387.msg343238#msg343238
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46&currentpage=33
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=9014.msg114612#msg114612

Thanks again.

 

[ViViper1]

[quote author=ViperDom link=topic=74799.msg1340162#msg1340162 date=1176743185]
if your primary objective is to fill the wheel-well in a little, than going with a 17" x 7.0" 225/45/17 will not do much considering that it is same overall diameter as the stock 205/50/17. although it will look alittle better since its wider.

you can get a taller tire to fill your wheel-well but it will throw you spedo off

Have you looked into the RacingBeat Springs?, they only drop .5'' around and are like20% stiffer

i suggest the springs with 225/45/17 or 225/50/17 (these will fit the stock rmi size, so you wont have to worry about the whole offset thing)
[/quote]

No, I haven't. What are the pros and cons of putting in a suspension?