So I went to Sutherlin Mazda (Buford GA) to check on the prices of some genuine Mazda or Mazdaspeed Parts. Steering wheel (from the P5) $283. Centercaps for the RacingHart wheels $72 a piece. Regular Protege Engine cover $146. What the flip is all this noise about. Anyone got any better ideas here?

 

onlinemazdaparts.com
Keep an eye on the f/s forums
eBay?
craigslist?

 

By engine cover you're talking the metal valve cover, but the one without the studs for the plastic engine cover? I will buy your stock valve cover (the aluminum part) if you want to get rid of it ever

 

I have a P5 valve cover for sale, let me know if you're interested.

 

orly. im interested

 

Rob, what did you pay for your MZ3 rims?

 

free fifty

 

Hmm. That seems to be the going rate for good ones.
Quite a bit more than the $200 I got for my stockers.

 

You're considering them?? You'll definitely need 215/45 to keep the ride quality at all decent (since that seems to be your goal usually). Plus heavy wheels = harsher ride.. at least that's how it feels to me.

Rob how is the ride (on MSP springs/struts)?

 

I hear you, man. But I'm starting to think 205/45 all-seasons (softer sidewall) might be ok. The MP3 ran a similar setup straight from the factory and its rims are far from light.

Ideally I'd like to get the NC rims but as you know it's going pretty slowly. MZ3 rims (not the snowflakes) look cool enough, clean up easy.

 

Or Mazda6 sport wheels *droooools*

they'd be on my car if they were lighter. I still dunno if I'd leave them silver or make them gunmetal

The MP3 is.. yeah it's still decently comfortable on 205/45, I mean they did sell the car like that.

 

Yeah MZ6 wheels look great on the P5, but I'm not a huge fan of "directional" wheels, and the 60mm offset necessitates spacers.

I'm thinking about this guy's MP3 rims, but I'd need center caps ($124), spacers ($80), longer studs ($??), new lugs ($??), plus $60 in gas/tolls to pick them up; oh my!

 

Center caps all four for $124? that's a good deal! I know I've seen over $50 a piece for them.

Spacers and longer studs? why, just personal preference for looks? Also I'm pretty sure the MP3 wheels came on the MP3 using the same lug nuts as other Proteges.

I can ask my friend with an MP3 to confirm the nuts with a picture if needed.

 

Yeah, onlinemazdaparts has the caps for $31ea. I think the MSP ones are more spendy. As far as the spacers go, maybe just 5mm? I guess I could do it later if necessary, though...

Oh, I'd need 17" tires, oh no. Kumho ASX doesn't come in 205/45R17 have to get ziex 912s $360+shipping.

 

ASX comes in 215/40-17

I know because I have one in my garage.. was once mounted on my spare wheel, at some point it got unmounted though hmm

My sister has the ASX on her Maxima (she has snow tires.. so I don't know why she wanted an all season) and said they're a lot noisier than her potenzas.. were her potenzas just ultra silent or are they a bit noisy?