Endless Rotaries

iTrader: (6)

It's not a matter of whether or not they will work, it's a matter of whether or not it is an upgrade.

No sense in downgrading to a thinner wheel. That's all this boils down too.

LionZoo

It does if it was just a promotional or regional sales decision rather than an engineering approved decision. I've seen dealerships put 20" chrome wheels on RX-8s in the showroom and while Mazda Canada might be more official sounding, they are more of a marketing and sales organizational, sort of an extension of the dealership network. I don't think an engineer signed off on the decision to offer the RX-8 with that wheel and therefore it isn't really official.

LionZoo

Well put.

Cromax

I agree, that was well put!

TrochoidMagic

whoa whoa whoa... nots not mix in awd/fwd/rwd in choosing wheels at all please!
there are different width set up and offset set-up for certain kinds of driving.

TrochoidMagic

and that statement is the other way around. skinnier tires have far more faster response, but reaches limit of adhesion a lot sooner.

this is true for people to practice on skinny tires first to learn the behavior of their car's mods. then switch to wider, and wider, and wider, and stop when there's no more gain to be had going wider than they have.

sure, the saying "wider is better" may hold true to MOST accounts, but not all. some case, its even better to go with the skinnier tire set-up. for certain course driving or style, where faster response is the key and speed limit are very low, the widest tire may not be the best suited for that course and the extra added weight also contributes to the delayed response.

sure offset plays a big role in fine balancing a vehicle too. but more modern cars are able to get away with a higher offset wheel on rwd applications. thats because we are seeing more wider axle track paired with high offset wheels...which saves wheel bearing and bearing life.

to answer a previous poster's question, "yes" , offset will affect something else. so even if you can get some nice wheels in say... -30 offset, and manage to wide body your fenders...you can pretty much kiss your wheel bearings goodbye.
(ever seen a "low-rider" with negative offset and extensions? i've seen one with the wheels broken off sitting on the freeway from overstressed bearings)

all detailed information on vehicle dynamics concerning suspension are too much to just put simply on one page... but the above are just a few things to consider.

i don't exactly consider that a downgrade bobo. and i for one have never been a fan of the stock 18x8s. x8s are ok...but not 18s.
but what exactly are you trying to accomplish if i may ask?

TrochoidMagic

i recorrect myself. that statement IS correct after i reread.
its using the wider wheel with narrower tire that leads to faster response(less sidewall flex) that i was trying to get at.

TrochoidMagic

to address all your questions correctly, try posting it in the "racing/competition" section on this forum. you can get more info than you asked for in that section. and most will be easier than i will at explaining in layman's terms.

that set-up is neither an upgrade or a downgrade... its "better" than the stock
16s on the sport pkg. but replacing the stock 18x8s with a 18x7.5 ... what arre the performance benefits??? are they lighter?

those are the serious questions you should start off with in the competition section on this forum. and you'll find ur answer as to rather you should use them or sell them.

good luck, hope i helped.

bobo-rx8

I am not looking for a race car.. i was just looking for some better looking wheels.. If i ever decided to do some major performace upgrade to my 8 then I will think about this situation in more detail.. I was just making sure that this would not cause major damage to the car. Eventually i will purchase me some new wheels.. more than likely 19" rims.. Thanks for all the help guys!

TragicallyHip

I better call Mazda and have them find me someone else to approve warranty work on my car then, since Mazda Canada is only a marketing and sales organization, they should have no say in the repair of our cars...

I don't see what your big issue is with the fact that they were offered with the RX8... Thats all I originally said, and regardless of which division of Mazda offered it, it happened...