winter rims and tires
 

has anybody with P5 or 02 ES tried to find 16" steel and 205/55-16 tire combo? I can't find 16" 5/114.3 steel. But i kinda supect that 16" 5/4.5 is the same wheel(cept in inches)/ anybody knows anything about that.
And which tires? Semperit Sport Grip?

I use a 15 inch rim and P195/55R15 tires on my '03 ES. I'm using Nokian Hakkapiletta NRW's on my Pro.

I have a set of 16" steelies on my car. they fit fine, and work without any clearance problems. I couldn't tell you though if they are intended for 205 wide tires. I run 195/55 winter tires on mine.

Any reason you are looking for 16" rims? The 15" steelies will work better for the winter, taller sidewall helps to get grip by letting the tire sqirm more... bad in the dry, good in the snow. I have just bought my winter rim/tire package:

15x6" Steel wheels (5-4.5" bolt pattern)
195/60HR-15 Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3

The stock tire/wheelset has an overall diameter of 23.7", my winters have an overall of 24.2". This is alright as the MP3 and the Mazdaspeed both use(d) larger overall diameter tire and wheelsets, and since they are basically the same car, they will fit and run fine.

I went with H-rated winters to maintain a semblence of the stock handling characteristics, and with the Goodyears as I have had great success with their winters...

15" steel good way to go..
 

After struggling with the stock tires in the snow last year, I purchased 15" steel with Michelin Arctic Alpin for this year. After searching around the internet, I decided that The Tire Rack was the best place to go. Other internet dealers did not carry 15" wheels, or were not interested in selling snow tires. I just put the 195/55-QR15 tires on the car this week - a noticable decrease in handling, but that is to be expected for snow tires. I have to say that Tire Rack delivered very well, even including all new chrome lug nuts at no charge (the stock nuts will bottom out on the studs). See http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp for info.

The noticable decrease in handling is due to the Q-rated tires purchased. A minimum of an H-rated tire like the Michelin Pilot Alpin would have more closely maintained the handling of the car...

But at a highter cost...
 

Probably, but at an increased cost of about $100 for 4 tires. Maybe next time if I have the cash, I would look more closely at H-rated tires. Good comment, though...

I wanaa go with 16" cause it looks better.
PS I knew those people at discount tire don't know shyt. So 5-4.5" is the same as 5-114.3.

ive gotta agree with IchBinEinMP5, the 195 55 15's will work better in the snow. Having 195 55 16 winters is better than all season dunlops on thew pro. Look at it this way, the 15's may not look as good or cool, but the end goal is to drive safe.

totally agree 2.0 GT!

I have a 03 pro5 and the dealer put 185 60 15's on mine and they work great in snow and where I live................believe me, I know snow!
At this size, your speedometer is only off a few km's/hour and the ride is quite smooth depending on the tire. I have GT Radials studless and am very satisfied.

ok, but which tires? mich, semperit, nokian...... who has what?

I have already listed mine above...

this is probibly the most civialized thread I have ever read, Cheers my friends!

has anybody heard of Semperit?? They look very good on the picture.
And I have never heard of Nokian: must be something Finnish or Canadian.