That autornd site that I linked to has the rotas. It's a great shop :)

am I blind or am I having a hard time finding rota wheels with a 55 offset?

You'll have a VERY difficult time finding any wheels with a 55 offset.

I wish there was someone else with a 3 in this thread to discuss what fits and what doesn't.

I bet AutoRND would be able to tell you (one of the guys there had a Protege5, that's how most of us came to know the site) fitment if you asked.

for example, on a Protege5 the stock wheel offset is also very high (55ish if I recall correctly, I'm sure Josh will come in with the right numbers since he's all about the right numbers), but you can fit a 17x7 (one inch wider than the stock wheel) +45mm wheel with wider tires than stock without rubbing anything (it's very close though).

If you are going from your 17x7 current wheels to 17x7 aftermarket wheels, I'd try to get an offset as close to stock as possible. You could look at your car as it is right now and kinda gauge how much you could space the wheels out before you rubbed the fenders.. you can probably go 5-10mm less offset (wheels farther out) no problem.

50mm. :)

There are other reasons for trying to stay close to stock offset, such as premature wheel bearing failure. I think mine are on their way out. :(

This is exactly why I buy tires and wheels directly from the big bear tire shop down the street from my house. They are very knowledgeable guys and they would just be like these wheels fit ... these don't etc.

Why would it be so hard to find aftermarket wheels that are the correct spec for a car like the mazda 3 ... one of the most popular sport compact car since it came out in '04.

If I look my car up on tirerack.com ... it gives me rims anywhere from 45mm to 48mm to 50mm ...

So idk...to be honest I don't know alot of what offset means he he....

Does anyone have a good article or want to explain to me what the size specs mean with wheels?

[threadjack] Love the avatar Spider... Strong Bad FTW!! [/threadjack]

Offset explained.

Yes strong by is way cool he he.

"and for some reason I'd have blue hair ... gotta have blue hair"

"now my face isn't taped to the TV"

"Robots are like square people ... they are mainly used for taking over Japan...[enter the cheat bot]"

Ok that makes sense. So if the offset of your wheels is not close to stock ... what problems does that cause? And how close does it have to be?... or should be?

What would my bolt pattern on my car be?

It really depends. Rubbing and bearing failure are the risks. My offset is 10mm lower than stock and my rims are 1" wider, and I can kinda hear my wheel bearings going. I also rub a little on the rear fenders. But these things are vehicle dependent, I don't know what the tolerances on the 3 are.

The bolt pattern is 5x114.3, same as mine.

Correction - stock MZ3 offset is actually 52.5mm. Sorry about that.

With a 215-width tire, you can probably go down to 42mm offset with a 17x7 and not rub anything.

That is very good information I very much appreciate you finding that information out for me.

We're all just a bunch of Protege owners trying to help out a 3 guy, it's pretty tough. There are plenty of 3 members on here, where are they always hiding? If I still had a roommate with a 3 (we kicked him out over a year ago, annoying emo kid) I could be much more helpful :)

eh ... I appreciate all the help you guys are giving me. It is better than the no help I would have otherwise. I am the only person that even owns a mazda that I know.

This is my first newer car purchase. I used to drive a 1993 honda civic ex coupe ... sold that 2,500. and before that a 1988 Honda Accord Dx....cool car till I crashed it in the snow.

But yea seriously I appreciate your response it is fun communicating with fellow mazda owners. You guys are also not demeaning like most people in forums are...most ppl are all high and mighty. So I appreciate it.

But yea anywayz...I will shop around for some wheels. But I think the exhaust will be the first thing that I do.

So I figure I will get an exhaust ... what what I've heard the racing beat one is really good ... so I might go with that.
Is there anything else I should do exhaust wise ... header (or will that cause me emissions troubles). Should I get a CAI or should I just get a washable AEM filter? I do like the sound of CAI tho.

If I were to do anti roll bars ... should I do that before or after suspension upgrades?

What would you guys recommend for some good ceramic (non organic) brake pads ... I hate brake dust.

Edit: Sorry if all my questions are annoying he he...but does anyone know how I could get hood stuts for my cars hood ... the hood prop is mad lame.