From 17" to 16" rims?, please help with any knowledge
 

Hi all, I have a 2008 Mazda3 hatch with the 17" rims and 205/50/17. Problem is, last winter wife was driving and a winter pot hole got the best of her tire and rim. Was thinking of trying to get more meat on the feet so to speak, and dropping down to a 16" rim and then changing to a 205/55/16 tire. I think that would make it as close to the 17" specs to keep things honest. I know it really would put only about 1/2" more meat but hoping that would ease some of the hardness of the ride. Looking for opinions on the good and bad of this idea. I've read a little about it would hurt handling and steering, but not really sure by how much. I dont race or even drive it that hard, and wife is real easy on it as well. I know, maybe shouldn't have got such a sporty ride, but we love the car and want to see what we can do. I appreciate any honest help, thanks in advance, Grandeson

bump, can use advice

would you be using steelies or alloys? you can bump down to 16's just not 15's as the rims would not clear the calipers.

I did this on mine:
got some 16" rims (1010tires)
TPMS units (ebay)
winter tires (1010tires)
Have had no issues once I sealed the TPMS units properly, and can't tell a difference in performance besides the tires feeling softer, though that depends what you use for winter tires. total cost was ~900 as I recall, for aluminum rims and all associated parts.