LiveWire

iTrader: (1)

So I have a question. How would 18 inch wheels look on an R3? I was thinking about getting new wheels next summer but most of the wheel pics I am seeing around are 19 inches. I was thinking something like Rota MXR's 18x9.5 +20. Thoughts? Any pictures would be greatly appreciated, 18's or 19's.

Cheers

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Ever other RX-8 aside from the R3 has 18' wheels so it will look just like any other RX-8 with 18" wheels. Also, instead of starting a thread, go to the "will it fit" thread.

JCrane82

iTrader: (3)

I currently only have a Series I, but plan on owning a Series II R3 someday (maybe in a year or two). The first thing I have planned for my future R3 is going down to 18" or 17" wheels. I think 19's or 20's look ridiculous on the RX8.

Form follows Function.....

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

JCrane - Hit me up. I will sell you my R3 when you ready. I am in Des Moines...

I agree - I want to go 18's and I have a set of 17's already I share between it and my other mazda (mazda3). I think 18's are better. When I got the dealer replacement cost for one of the 19's, I about passed out. I am paranoid about curbing them...

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

Livewire - 18x9.5 +20 is aggressive. Depending on tire, you will have to roll rears for sure and possibly fronts.

Please don't put a hellastretch 225 on a 9.5" wheel, that hellaflush look is just wrong.

Also, are you tracking a lot? You need that much wheel and tire. You will lose steering feel and your car will be slower in a straight line.

JCrane can school you on this

JCrane82

iTrader: (3)

I am 100% with blacksheep here....please don't hellastretch your R3. 245's minimum all around.



Yeah, wider tires and you will loose some steering feel, but you can do some pretty amazing things with alignment values to get that feeling back (at the expense of tire wear).

265's front and rear for me.....screw top end speed on the straights.....I want max G's in the corners!


Side conversation: I will definately let you know when I am in the market blacksheep! Whats the reason you want to sell?

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

JCrane - Oh, I always get bored of cars, to be honest. I bought the R3 and have maybe driven it a 100 miles so far. It got its 25K inspection/oil change and now is sleeping for the winter. I always want to hang on to a performance car, but never use it to full potential. In the next year or so, I think we may plan to have a 2nd child, so I will probably want to quit having payments too.

Funnily - I have some MB Weapons in 17's in bronze with 235's I plan on using on my DD and/or R3.

JCrane82

iTrader: (3)

blacksheep,
Just read up on your intro thread......sounds like you picked up a RX-8 for the same reasons I did. Baby #2 is coming next week for me. I will definately keep you posted as to when I will be looking. This past week I have almost hit three deer on the way to work at 6AM, so it might be sooner than later.....

Yours is also the best color ever!!!! Aurora Blue

I am quite happy with my MB Weapons. So happy that I had to buy a matching winter set. Now I have 18x9 ET45 Bronze Weapons with 265/35R18 Kumho XS for summer, and 17x8 ET42 with 225/50R17 Hankook iPikes for winter.

Sorry OP....thread unjack.....

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

Taking it to PM, sorry OP!

LiveWire

iTrader: (1)

I think for tire size size I was planning on going 245/40. Not sure yet though. In any case I would still like to hold function over form on these wheels. Since I was lucky enough to get winter wheels with the purchase of the car, I planned on making my stock R3 wheels track wheels and buying the rotas for dding. I do not track much yet, though I would like to get in the scene, unfortunately that is only likely during summers/when I get out of school in 1.5 years.

JCrane82

iTrader: (3)

I wouldn't suggest R3 wheels for track use since 19" tires are really expensive. If you truly want to follow the form after function rule, run some lightweight 17x9' or 17x9.5" wheels with 245, 255, or 265 tires. The stock R3 wheels are 19x8, which are too large in diameter and too narrow for track use (in my humble opinion). The R3 wheels would make a decent daily driver set, but I know what I would do if I were you.....sell them on here for big $$$$ and pick up a 17" or 18" set for daily driving of your choice. People go crazy over the 19" R3 wheels, so you should find a buyer no problem, as long as they are not curbed.

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

I agree - 19x8 is a pizza cutter wheel. Also 19" tires are ridiculously priced.

I will keep the 19" BBS R3 wheels only because they are very rare and I do think the R3 has more "collectabilty" in stock form, so I am keeping all stock parts if I take anything off. I will switch to 18s or 17s for DD. I just don't want to spend the money.

I would do the opposite. I had 18x9.5" rota P45R on my Evo with 275 hoosiers and it served as a great inexpensive track wheel. I know people say Rota sucks etc, but I have owned more sets than fingers and none of them had issues other than being a little on the heavy side.

LiveWire

iTrader: (1)

That is basically the boat I am in. I never plan on selling my R3 and love those lightweight 19s, but problem is the cost of tires etc. I would die if I ever curbed one so I did want something cheap to take the abuse of everyday driving. That being said I have nothing against using rotas for track wheels. I actually like the idea tbh, I just don't know what to do with the stock wheels. Money does sound nice but ugh, it would be a sad day to see those wheels go. I heard a little bit of a ridiculous price from the previous owner. Frankly the wheel condition is good to excellent though I should do a very, very thorough check. What could I expect to sell them for?

JCrane82

iTrader: (3)

I think you can get around $1000 for just the wheels (assuming very good to excellent condition).....more if they are mounted with good rubber.

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

I saw a set of EBay go for upwards of 1400. I wanted to buy a spare set, but not for that price...

LiveWire

iTrader: (1)

Gosh, I was looking on the ms3 forum with my friend and just saw some curbed R3 wheels go for $1900!!! Is this real life? They were not even in that good of condition, one wheel had a small chunk missing. I'm positive my wheels are better condition than those. Also saw some pretty pricey ones on ebay. Why are these wheels so expensive?

LiveWire

iTrader: (1)

I actually like your suggestion a lot! I have been doing some looking around and there's something about 265/35/18 tires that really catches my eye.

Will I have any rubbing issues if I lower it (on coilovers)? Again on 18 x 9.5 +20 is a bit aggressive even though the fenders are big. I don't plan on going too crazy with it but the stock monster truck wheel gap is just too obnoxious.

JCrane82

iTrader: (3)

265's look awesome on the RX-8, and I love how much grip they add. 18x9.5 +20 would be too aggressive to fit without a good amount of fender modifications. If you don't want to do any fender modifications, then the max distance you want the outboard edge of the wheel is about 30 mm farther than stock.

Stock size is 18x8 +50.

30 mm farther outboard would be:
18x8 +20 or.....
18x9 +32 or.....
18x9.5 +39 or.....
18x10 +45

Make sense? Let me know if you have more questions on fitment, I would be glad to help.

Now go sell those R3 wheels for big bucks and get some wide wheels with meaty tires!

LiveWire

iTrader: (1)

Yeah makes perfect sense thanks for the help! For the fender parameters, is that all or just rears? Im not at all against the fender work tbh. Should I look into rolling or pulling/flaring?

godesshunter

My local Mazda dealer wants $700+ each for a brand new R3 wheel. I asked last year when I got my car to see how much they are worth.