wheel and tire decisions

Show off your lightweight high-performance wheels and see here what they look like on your Mazda before you buy.
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jwalton
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:58 pm

wheel and tire decisions

Post by jwalton »

New here and looking for opinions.

I have an NB on Swift springs (~1" drop) and Koni Yellows. The wheel tire combo I currently have is 17x7 SSR Integral GT1's with 215-40-17 Falken Azenis RT615k. As you can probably imagine, the ride has been somewhat compromised :roll: but I got the wheels for a steel and they are a definite aesthetic improvement over the stockers. That being said, I'm trying to figure out my next step:

Option 1: Stick with what I have and just buy new tires (they're almost worn out). The cheapest option but fixes nothing.

Option 2: Experiment with 215-45-17s. My GPS says I'm doing ~2.5 miles an hour slower than my speedo which if I'm reading all of the tire calculators right will roughly be corrected by moving up one ratio. The downside is that I'm not sure if it'll start rubbing. It might also improve NVH a bit, but the heavy weight of the 17" wheels will still leave the whole handling thing compromised. The second cheapest option.

Option 3: Sell the SSR's for whatever I can get for them (have no clue where to ask for...) and get some nice 15's like the ubiquitous 6UL's (in never-in-stock-black) which I really, really like. I'm pretty sure 15x8's will fit and some have said 15x9's will as well, but I also don't want to over-tire the car. It is supercharged, so a little extra meat is probably warrantable, but 15x9's may be a bit overkill. This is obviously the most expensive option.

Suggestions? Am I missing another option?

Thanks
jwalton
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:58 pm

Re: wheel and tire decisions

Post by jwalton »

Wow... 34 views and no opinions?! Bueller? Bueller?
Brian
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Re: wheel and tire decisions

Post by Brian »

Monday and folks are busy working. Forum response rate MUCH higher later in the week when folks are getting tired of working. :wink:

Yes, sell them and go LIGHT. From the driver's seat everything will be better with lighter combo on the car.

Next shipment of those black 6UL is about one month away....and we will likely be sold OUT before they arrive. So, to avoid singing that "never-in-stock-black" song forever get your order in the system soon.
Brian Goodwin
Good-Win Racing
www.good-win-racing.com
jwalton
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:58 pm

Re: wheel and tire decisions

Post by jwalton »

Thanks Brian. I appreciate the feedback.
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