Want wheel advice....
 

I will be picking up my 2005 RX-8 this tuesday. What a stylish car :)

You have to rev it high, though, it doesn't start action before 4000 RPM

Here's a quick question:

The recommended 17" rim (for winter tires) from tirerack is:

17x7.5
Offset: +48mm Backspacing: 6.18" Bolt Pattern: 5-114
Rec. Tire Size: 225/50-17

I have the following rims and tires (originally bought for G35):

17x7Offset: 45mm Backspacing: 5.78" Bolt Pattern: 5-114
Rec. Tire Size:235/50-17

So, I have 17x7 instead of 17x7.5 with different offset and slightly wider tires.

Will it fit???

offset is a simple thing to understand, if you take your 7.5 wheel with a +48mm offset all you do is divide the width in half and add the offset
so if you have a 7.5" +48 you are looking at a 5.5(5.63 in actuality) inch backspacing approximately
(25.4 mm = inch) which means you have the diffefrence of 7.5 in front(1.87"), and should clear the fenders
the 7inch should will be 5inch(approx) with about the same front spacing so you should be alright

Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Rotary! Once you get your car, post some pics!

Welcome to the club! The only problem with those tires are they are so wide, they made partially defeat the purpose of a winter tire (think snow shoe effect). That plus 235/50R17 isn't quite a match to the stock diameter of 225/45R18 (1.1% too slow)

Hi and welcome to the club.

235 will be to wide for winter driving for Rx-8.

Anything less than 225 will have bad effects on suspension due to insufficient corner load when its NOT SNOWING.

You can call ask for Al Balinsky at Scarboro Mazda @ 416.752.0970 if you need further information and tires inquiry.

FYI: Winter Tire Group Buy

Thank you.

Thanks guys! Can't wait to get the car! Will be picking it up tomorrow night and have to drive it 80km home. Hope it's not too cold tomorrow for it's stock tires...

I'll probably still get me another set of winters, since G35 has to ride on something too. I was just thinking about some extreme scenarios like putting winters only on the rear of both cars. But this is plain stupid, anyways

Welcome! post some pics when you get it.

Get some new winters for it, with the correct sizing. It will make all the difference.

What are the ill-effects? I ran 215/55/17s last year and didnt see any problems????

Welcome to the club!

Your going to love your new obsession!
Check out the many articles on this website, there is a serious wealth of information here.

PS: Where do you live?

#84Racing is GM of Scarboro Mazda, Ontario GT Sprint racer with 25+ years of street / track / drag racing experience

Winter Tire Group Buy

so only i'll effect is to the tires? no biggie I'm more of a threat to the tires anyway


also I ran my winter tires till mid august as i had complications with tires i ordered in the spring not showing for 3 months, snows still look good after 13000km about 6-8000 on bone dry pavement.

I'm in Thornhill. Any local meets?

You just missed the

Fall season drive: Forks of the Credit (photos on page 10)

But we will still have meets in the winter seasons, and will post in the forum.

btw I live in Thornhill too.

hey guys im going winter tire shopping tommorow just wanted some opinions of a good type of winter tire, im new to this whole tire technology and specifications..... wondering if someone could give me or give some opinions on good tire type (dunlop, goodyear, michellin ect.) and what specs from what i read is 225/55r16 94v good cause i really have no clue give me some input
thanks.

225 - good
94 - load rating above 91 (stock rx8 18" tires) - good
V - speed rating safe up to 240km/h - compare to W rating, 270km/h in stock rx8 18" tires - good

I think its good. I got 225/50r17, and your 225/55/16 is stock 16" spect so its good too.

We have forum members doing
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22
Dunlop Winter Sport M3
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3

All 3 are good with Michelin the latest technology...

good luck

Isn't 16" too small for our RX-8s?

Yes!

well we have 16" stock tires for rx8...dunno about the winter tires....

16" fit? that's not what I have read. That would be a tight fit.

I think the 16" wheels were made for the 04 automatics in Non-North American spec vehicles. They had smaller brake calipers.

All North American models received the 18" wheels and the larger diameter disc brakes. Our discs are 12.9" in the front. The caliper itself adds another 2" roughly, so the 16" might fit radially-wise, but you gotta see how deep the face front is to clear the caliper. Steelies are very shallow on the face front and will touch the caliper.

Here are the photos:

http://www.kraev.net/rx8-1.jpg
http://www.kraev.net/rx8-2.jpg
http://www.kraev.net/rx8-3.jpg
http://www.kraev.net/rx8-4.jpg
http://www.kraev.net/rx8-5.jpg

What a beauty. Drives amazingly too :) Hope the engine lasts

Thanks Footman...I guess go 17 to be on the safe side then.

16" wont fit cause of the larger rotors in front. Dont wanna destroy your car. Honestly dont waste your time at crappy tire, do you really want high school kids installing stuff on your car.