Advice on a wheels needed...

[benyandthejets]

Hey guys, I just bought a mx-3 about a month ago and I've been lurking on this forum absorbing a ton of information.

Here's a pic

1993 manual v6 GS


Right now I have the stock 15" alloys with cheap new tires(195/60/15) just so I had some tread while I made a decision about new wheels. I think I want to go with 16s as I'd like to go a bit bigger but not sacrifice too much acceleration.

Any recommendations? Ideally I'd like to go wide but I don't want to have to deal with rubbing at all. Could I run 16x7s? 8s? What about the offset?
I don't quite fully understand how I translate the offset from the stock wheels to wider wheels, so I need a little help!

Thank you

[Evo_Spec]

welcome to the forums!

You need to get some epoxy and fix that front lip!

As for rims, we have tons and tons of threads about it if you just search around.

Here's a link to the search menu, please use it!
search.php

Enjoy!

[kulluminati777]

oh man welcome!

that is a minty machine you have

[benyandthejets]

welcome to the forums!

You need to get some epoxy and fix that front lip!

As for rims, we have tons and tons of threads about it if you just search around.

Here's a link to the search menu, please use it!
search.php

Enjoy!

I ended up taking it off! I may have damaged it further in the process... the bolts on the far side just didn't want to slide off. I'll have to see if I can epoxy it though! I was thinking of eventually just replacing it though, since I had to drill out the plastic screws :\

I'll search again, but I couldn't find much about 16 inch specifically!

oh man welcome!

that is a minty machine you have

Thanks man

[benyandthejets]

So I'm trying to figure out if I can fit 16x7 or 16x8. I have a stock suspension.

So the stock wheels are 15x6 with a 45mm offset.
45mm = ~1.77 inches from the hub.
Wheels are 6 inches, giving a total of 7.77 inches.

16x7:
20mm offset + 7 inch wheels = 7.77

16x8:
-5 offset + 8 inch wheels = 7.77

I know w/ both of these offsets my wheels would be sticking out the sides. so how much can I bring them in without rubbing? I really don't want to have any issues as this car is my daily driver.

Any ideas?

[stevesei]

Your original tires, 205/55R15 were about 23.9" in diameter. An equivalent 16" tire is 205/50R16 (slightly larger) or 205/45R16 (slightly smaller) Either one is close enough not to screw up your spedometer or acceleration.

Just for the record, I have 17x7, +30 offset wheels running 205/40ZR17 tires. Same overall height as above, no rubs or any unpleasantness, so 16x7s ought to be fine. Check tire availability though, 16s are becoming a bit scarce.

[Ryan]

I am looking into 16x8's to run with 225/50's, and according to my model I need +35mm offset. Its impossible to find anything greater than +20 in the rim I'm looking at...

[youdirtyfox]

I am looking into 16x8's to run with 225/50's, and according to my model I need +35mm offset. Its impossible to find anything greater than +20 in the rim I'm looking at...

Just run a thinner tire and go with +20.. simples!

16x9 ET15 with 215/40 fits the tread just under the arch

[benyandthejets]

Your original tires, 205/55R15 were about 23.9" in diameter. An equivalent 16" tire is 205/50R16 (slightly larger) or 205/45R16 (slightly smaller) Either one is close enough not to screw up your spedometer or acceleration.

Just for the record, I have 17x7, +30 offset wheels running 205/40ZR17 tires. Same overall height as above, no rubs or any unpleasantness, so 16x7s ought to be fine. Check tire availability though, 16s are becoming a bit scarce.

Thanks for your input. What kind of suspension do you have?

I am looking into 16x8's to run with 225/50's, and according to my model I need +35mm offset. Its impossible to find anything greater than +20 in the rim I'm looking at...

Does seem pretty hard to find large offset wheels.

[youdirtyfox]

That's because 16x8 is a bit of an odd size really, its usually 15x8 or 16x9.

[benyandthejets]

That's because 16x8 is a bit of an odd size really, its usually 15x8 or 16x9.

I didn't know that! Do you think 16x9 is possible on our cars?

[Ryan]

Not without a REALLY stretched tire...

[benyandthejets]

Not without a REALLY stretched tire...

Dang. Well I guess I'll just be keeping my eye out for 16x7 and 16x8. Any ballpark offsets I should shoot for?

[youdirtyfox]

Not without a REALLY stretched tire...

215/40 is the miniumum the TUV recommend on a 9J . Imo not over stretched.



That is my car with a 9J ET15

[benyandthejets]

Not without a REALLY stretched tire...

215/40 is the miniumum the TUV recommend on a 9J . Imo not over stretched.



That is my car with a 9J ET15

Nice pic man but that is pretty stretched haha.