ello13

I was browsing some ads and came acorssa couple of listings for 17" wheels with tires. I'm just wondering whether they would fit my 6 speed 8. The sellers don't know!

"I am a private party selling 4 winter tires and sport rims. The tires are Bridgestone Blizzak LM22, size 205/50R17. The rims are Special Edition, 17", 5 lug. The markings on the rims are FOX6-17 and 7Jx17H2. Tires are mounted on the rims and have been balanced. The tires show little or no wear. The set is very close to new. Ready to be mounted." for about $650


"4 performance winter wheels (tires and rims) used only for 400 miles (yes, fourhundred miles only). 235/45/VR17R Dunlop SP Winter Sport (M+S) tires on 17x7" Sport Edition D3 rims." for about $400

The tires on the first listing come up when i search tirerack so those probably fit, but I'm not sure about the rims. Do I need to ask more info about rim bran for each, or can you guys tell me whwther each one would fit and which one would be the better deal? sellers have no pics=(

Anothert question is the mounting of the wheels, how do I know how much pressure I torque the wheels if I'm only using what came with my rx-8 jack in the trunk (outside of getting an expensive torque gun??). Thanks

amstarvid

Not sure on the rim fitment - I 'm sure there are others here with more info on that than me - as far as torque, get to an auto supply store and drop $20 on a torque wrench - I torque to 95, I know others go above that and some below.

ello13

I guess i'll do that. didn't think they were that cheap. Is it powered or something? Just wondering how the torque is displayed, as in a digital lcd screen or like a gauge? Thanks

amstarvid

No, it's just like a big socket wrench, with a dial on the end that lets you set the desired torque amount - you use it just like you would a regular socket wrench, but when it hits the set torque, it just spins and you can't tighten any further. You'll also need to get a socket to fit your lug nuts - also a decent floor jack - $40 - $60 probably fine - I found one on sale last summer for $30 (1/2 off). The other thing with aftermarket rims in many cases is that they require centering rings to fit the rim snug (they're just cheap plastic rings, new rims like from TireRack come with them sized to fit your 8) (although some decide not to use them) Last year, 2 of the 4 broke when I was removing my rims to put summer rims back on, so I had to buy new ones (like $16 bucks from tirerack for 4) This year, I put some anti-seize on the rings before I put them on - hopefully that will make it easier to remove them intact.

Good luck on the rim search - I have 18" Kazera KZ-A's with Dunlop Winter Sport M3's and love them - some people go with 17" rims - but I wanted to keep the 18" look, plus if there's too much snow, I'll just use our Xterra. Tirerack often sells out of the 17" winter packages around this time, but I'd bet they'd have the 18" packages still.

ello13

Yeah, I like the 18" look too and I'd expecially prefer the 18" stock oem rim look, but I'm trying to drive in the winter for the least amount of money possible. That's why I'm looking primarily in the used rim market. I dont want to damage my current rims and buying new 18's just isn't affordable.

If anyone can tell me if either set of rims I have listed above would fit, I'd really appreciate it. It just downpoured snow today and i won't be able to drive my 8 until I get these tires=(.

amstarvid

Check out this short thread - the reply has a tire calculator link which seems to indicate that the first set of tires (205's) would not be a good choice - the 2nd set would be better, but your speedometer and odometer will be off.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ight=17x7+rims

I do see a lot of people using 17x7 rims - maybe see if you could do a "test fit" - otherwise, some more info on the rims so you can check tirerack and see if they'd fit.

This is another link to the forsale section that has some forsale for 700, but there's a fair amount of miles on the tires - but on the upside, they do come with TPMS. (which I don't have in my winter rims - most people don't)

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=101127

amstarvid

You also might want to post a "want to buy" ad here and on Chicagorotary.com - I'm in Rockford area so I know what you mean by the dump of snow today...

KimiFelipe

Guys,

You need to know your tire sizes before you even think about buying tires!

Check out tirerack.com, enter your car, register, and save your car info - then any time you want anything its right there. They will tell you what tires fit, in 17 or 18 in.

Turns out that in 17 in, a 215/55/17 will fit the car, as will a 225/50/17 - this is the size I went with for winter.

For the rims, there is a lot more information!

You need to know
- the bolt pattern - 5 x 114.3 is right for our cars, and NO OTHER !
- The size (17, 18)
- the offset (? I think its like 50 - but look it up!)
- the hub diameter (don't know this one but I found out Legacy GT spec B rims do NOT fit the RX-8, but the reverse is true - the subaru hub is smaller)

Get these things right before buying wheels - a test fitting is definately good. Not all 17 in rims will clear our brakes, so check 'em!!

I understand that 17 in mazda 3, mazda 6, and miata wheels fit our cars.

amstarvid

If you re-read the first post, you'll see that 215/55/17's were not what he was looking at, but 205/55/17's which are more than 3% off in size from oem and would not be safe.

If you can't find exactly what the 2nd set of rims info is and check online for fitment, then a test fit would probably be in order.

KimiFelipe

Thats why I posted, and mentioned two sizes which DO fit.