help with wheels, offset and tire size

[Jp7]

So, I thought I'd get more help here because I tried the regular mazda 3 forums and quite honestly, I'm in a different gear than most of those folks.

I'm a long-term Evo guy, I have an Evo 9. I also have a 2012 Mazda 3 (naturally aspirated 2.5, automatic transmission) not the speed-3.

My factory wheels are 17x6.5. According to what I see online they are 43mm offset. Factory tires are 205/50/17.

I just put new wheels on my Evo, and I was going to powdercoat the factory Evo 9 BBS wheels and put them on the Mazda3. From what I understand the wheel fitment is the same for the 3 and speed3.

The car is not lowered, and is on the factory suspension. I am much older than most of you (probably) so I don't intend on doing this for any reason other than looks. To me the mazda 3 is more of a comfort car. I do really like the look of the Evo 9 BBS wheels, and I think they will look great in gold on my sky-blue 3.

Factory Evo BBS is 17 x 8, 38 offset.

I was curious if I could get your feedback on this idea. There will be no fender rolling or body modifications at all.

[Pu Manchu]

put em on and let us know.

[Jp7]

Originally Posted by Pu Manchu put em on and let us know.

It does work.

I could tell that the fronts were going to be tighter fit compared to the rear.

I removed the front strut, and took off the spring. I reinstalled the front strut with no spring- and then lowered the car (on my hoist) onto a block so the wheel would go up to maximum travel position when the suspension traveled up easy because there was no spring. It does not rub. See pictures.

[Jp7]

Here are the pictures of the car on the hoist with no front spring. It is compressed to max travel.

[Jp7]

I then bought new tires (bf goodrich 225 45 17) and I painted the wheels gold (powdercoated)

[Jp7]

few more pics.

Funny thing is, this is opposite of my evo.

The evo had issues with fitting in the rear, plenty of room in the front.

The mazda has plenty of room in the back, and it's close up front.

I think the gold looks nice, do you?

[Bingo]

Wheels look good. But...you...you put mud flaps on a Mazda 3...

[Jp7]

Originally Posted by Bingo Wheels look good. But...you...you put mud flaps on a Mazda 3...

Yes- they are rally-armor. They were actually designed for your cars (speed 3) but it's the same attachment points on mine. They keep the paint from getting damaged, and since I paint (you can see my booth in front of the hoist in some of my pictures) I don't want the paint getting damaged. I actually park my evo in there most of the time.

Does the car look better without them? probably. Does it bother me? No, not at all.

[kTaLgsTo]

Your paint job does look nice on the car, well cared for. I don't like gold wheels on any car, but who gives a damn.

[krimsonviper]

The gold looks better than the silver. Glad this worked out for you. Looks good, I think.

[JakeMS3]

I like it man looks good against that blue. How bout posting some pics of that evo 9 tho???

[Jp7]

Originally Posted by JakeMS3 I like it man looks good against that blue. How bout posting some pics of that evo 9 tho???

the blue and gold does look kind of "subaruesque" no?

[JakeMS3]

Love it!!! I love the evo 9’s it’s crazy how they are selling for more than newer evo x’s.