Zirguy

Looking to get some 17" wheels for my 2003 MP5 for this spring. My question, after the new wheels (17" or 17.5") and tires (205/45-17 ) are installed are there any stock suspension issues to worry about? ie. alignment or camber issues?

Thanks as always

Maz94Protege

Nice car. I hate seeing the US pro 5s with out the blacked out headlights. THey look really good. and i like them alot. Gives it an aggressive look. CLean car. Keep it up!

Kincaid

ok. As for answering his question

no you won't have any camber issues. Leave it at stock height and you don't have to worry. Drop it and you'll need at least an alignment. If not, possibly camber plates.

95ProtegeLX

I think you mean 7 or 7.5" wide x 17 Dia. rims. Anyway... as long as the offset is correct and the wheels and tires don't rub on anything, you should be fine. My second gen has 43 mm offset rims, and nothing even comes close to rubbing. As far as alignment, it looks like I have a little more negative camber, but not much. I wish I could dial in more caster though because the car "pulls" into road imperfections, so I anticipate more while driving. As far as toe, it all depends on what you want to do...
A little toe out reduces understeer and makes the car turn in more quickly, toe out does the opposite, and 0 is "neautral" and the tires won't wear as bad. On my RX-7, I had as much caster I could add without the control arm rubbing on the chassis, 1/8" toe out, and as much negative camber I could get with the factory set up (not much).

Zirguy

Great, thanks for the replies!

Now back to The Tire Rack website :-)

Zirguy

will 205/40R17 sized tires be ok?

Kincaid

That's the standard 17" tire to go with. It'll be fine, assuming your width and offset of rim is correct.

95ProtegeLX

Yes, 205/40-17's are OK, but...
I think 3rd gen. Protege's like the MazdaSpeed use 215/45-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE040 tires on Racing Hart wheels. They are a little taller and wider. If they are the same overall diameter to your factory size tires, there won't be any speedometer error, and you won't effect the final drive gear ratio. You can check diameter on the Tire Rack website by putting in the factory size tire, and looking up the specs. that include diameter, and then checking your tire choice diameter, and comparing the two. I try not to vary more than .5-.75 inch MAX in diameter. (The closer the better).