I've been having problems with my 17inch rims on my car recently. Apparently Chicago roads and low profile tires don't mix, so apparently my rims are all bent up. I am considering switching back to the stock 16 size but do not feel like paying $300 a rim for factory rims. What I would like to know is what manufacturers have you guys had success with in terms of a strong rim. I am also looking for a good all season tire to last me through the winters here. I've tried many tires but they all seem to wear real fast and I end up needing new tires by the end of the year. Thanks for all the help.

P.S. any pics of guys with aftermarket 16's would be appreciated.

 

Hum...Rota for cheapness...I'd check eBay to see if anything tickles your fancy..you should be able to get a set of rims for under 800 bucks, especially 16s
I've had good experience with my continentals...no problems under normal folk driving since I got the car (though half the time was winter)
Take off slow and they'll last longer too, of course agressive driving will cost you more in tires and bent rims.

 

I got a set of OEM P5 rims off the internet for 300 bucks shipped.

If you want some stockies, just check around all the Mazda boards.

I agree with firelizard, too. For price to strength to weight ratio, Rota makes soem pretty nice wheels. I had a set of Sub Zeros on my P5 for awhile and I kinda miss them. Good lookin' wheels, IMO.

 

Your driving in Chicago on 17” rims in the winter? That’s not good. Leave the 17” for the summer and get a set of 15” for the winter.

 

With 16s you'll have plenty of room for a decent sidewall. That will help you out tremendously!

 

wish i had that kind of money. cars got 90k on it, and i don't think i'll be putting that kind of money into the car.

 

Get a set of cheap wheels/tires....Eclipse wheels fit, 626 wheels fit. Hit the junkyard. If I'm not mistaken, miata wheels fit too.

 

Miata wheels are 4 x 100. You might also look to see if anyone is selling any Prelude wheels...the type SHs I know are 5 x 114.3.

 

Thanks Karen for that tidbit!
heh heh.

 

I've been checking on some wheels and are considering some things. Can someone help with with the offset? How does that affect the wheel/tire?

 

A higher offset means the mounting face of the wheel's hub will be close to the outside lip of the wheel, meaning you will have more wheel behind the hub. A lower offset means it will be further away from the outside lip, meaning you will have more wheel in front of the hub.
Offset is measured in millimeters (mm) from the center of the wheel.

Offset won't affect your tire choices unless clearance is an issue.
If you calculate how much wheel is in front of the hub and how much behind using the offset and taking into account that wheels are actually 1" wider than their specification (the lip isn't measured when wheel width is given), you can approximate how much space you need, then measure accordingly in your wheel wells.

 

Well...I try...

 

I have cheap black steel rims for both mine cars in the winter, with snow diggers. It’s not a lot of money and in the long run will save you money. Or in the short run will save you money as the 17” rim will not need to be replaced.