Hi Guys here are the resultd as promised. BTW some of this info might have already been placed as I took the time to read all 7 pages of posts.

15" Steel - Will not fit brakes are too big.

16" Steel - Fits on the hubs but touches brake calipers front and rear. (It touches the outside face of the caliper not the top. ) I was using a stock Mazda rim with a 45mm offset. I may want to try another if I can source another Mazda rim with a different offset.

Proper 16" tire sizing would be 215/60-16 overall diameter = 26.2"

17" Steel - This wheel was supplied by one of my suppliers as I was advised by wing that they had it in stock to try. This wheel did fit the car and cleared perfectly, but was not Hubcentric and had an offset of 38mm. Talon Tire will not consider this wheel as an option as from our past experiences we have found that non-hubcentric wheels do tend to cause vibrations when used on vehicles and can damage suspension components after long term use.

We understand many garages will supply these wheels as a cheap alternative but we will not. Every single car sold from any dealer in the world comes equipted with hubcentric wheels! Why would they if it wasn't?

Steel wheels can't be centered using hub rings.

As for 17" mags my suppliers have confirmed a 17" mag with as offset between 40-50 will fit the car. Anyone interested in pricing should PM me as I would not want to upset the forum moderators.

Proper 17" tire sizing would be 215/55-17 overall diameter would be = 26.3"

You could also run 225/45-18 overall diameter = 26"
In citites(Like Montreal) where they use a lot of salt you would be advised to wash the wheels as often as possible.


Hubcenter Bore should be = 67.1
Bolt Pattern is = 5x114.3

I can also mention shipping to Ottawa & Toronto will be from $35 - $38

I can also mention shipping to Winnipeg & Manitoba will be from $50 - $60

I can also mention shipping to Vancouver will be from $55 - $65

I would also suggest using a unidirectional tire on rear wheel drive cars for best winter traction.

I'll post more info when it becomes available.

 

Thanks, Talon Tire, for that extensive info.

But (sorry!), what about 16" alloy wheels? Cheaper than 17s, better selection of less expensive 16" winter tires. We really need to find out about these before committing to 17" alloys! Please?

Thanks,
Gordon

 

Thanks for the great info!

Now like Gord mentioned, what about 16" alloy, that would be the next best, than 17" alloy.

As far as pricing, let's figure out if we can get 16" alloys first. If we can't then, maybe we can work a package out.

Seems like there are a few people interested.

I'll PM you, as I'm interested to know the price

 

Thanks for the work Talon Tires.

I've PM'ed you for prices. I'm definitely driving in the winter. I'm game for the 17" wheels and tires or even going to an 18" tire. I'd prefer the 17" option though.

 

Thanks a lot for the info Talon Tire! I have a couple of questions about the 16" steel wheels. You said:
1) What direction were you thinking of going with the offset to help clear the outside face of the calipers (more negative or less negative)?
2) Since you didn't mention the issue of hub centicity with the 16's does that mean they were ok?
3) You were going to try to source them from Mazda - should we start bugging Mazda to make sure that they deal with sourcing us (or you )a reasonable winter driving option?

I really appreciate your time - Thanks!

 

I'm interested in buying. Has anyone decided on coordinating?
e-mail: gordonjamesboyd@yahoo.ca
pick-up location: Toronto
Tel. No. 519-797-3436

I'll monitor for what next steps are.

Thanks,
Gord Boyd

 

Gord, yes I started the thread and initially contacted John at Talon Tire.

"Canada" the user not the country, so graciously took time out of his schedule to attempt fittings at Talon Tire.

We intially had about 10 people interested in this group buy. Hopefully something comes to fruition and we get a killer deal from John

 

I am still in, but I don't see a proposal yet -

16"?
17"?
What do the proposed rims look like?
What are our tire choices?

and of course, $$?
.
.
.
doc

 

Hi Guys,

I'm in as well... pickup from a Toronto Location (I live in Pickering). Please PM me once details are confirmed...

-Ron

 

Talon is a local shop in Montreal, so it would be a direct shipment from montreal (no pst to out of province purchasers!)

I'm going to call John again today to get more information.

We are still working on this, more details should follow shortly!

 

Ok I called John, I have a few answers to some of the questions.

1. Was the 16" Steel Hubcentric?

Yes it was, it was a Mazda wheel, as John previously mentioned he is trying to find 1 wheel to try that he thinks might fit. He is trying to find it for a fitting.

2. Will a 16" alloy fit?

According to John's suppliers, unfortunately no. This is because 16" high offset alloys are harder to find. It is possible if a higher offset (50-55) is found that one would fit. But again this is a "can we find one to test it" Obviously he can't be ordering wheels in that he will never sell if they don't fit!

3. How MUCH?
Well we really don't want to speculate at this point, we would like to try this last steel if we can. This would be the best and I'm sure many would by VERY happy with the results. If we go alloy we will be probably looking at $170 a rim.

BUT John mentioned this all depends on how many people are looking to purchase. More people = less money and remember if you are not in QC you don't have to pay PST so this could be a very large savings on tires and rims.

I have a question though, if we do get steel, what about hub caps? I know I don't want to be staring at black steelies for 6 months, I'd love some nice hubs to at least hide the uglyness :D

Also John said that his internet was on the Fritz and he actually had to go to a friends house to post the originaly message. So let's bear with him while his internet is under repair and he looks for this last wheel to fit.

We should still be about 2 months from snow, usually doesn't snow till Oct 30th

 

I was in, and I'm still in. I'd prefer alloy so the car looks GREAT year round, but I'll go with what the group decides is best for us. My pick-up would be in Toronto similar to Ron Jeremy's.

 

I'm still interested!

 

I spoke with Bob at www.tiretrends.com yesterday (in Vancouver) - he's hoping to take a couple of 16" alloys to a Mazda dealer and test fit on an RX-8 if possible this week. If that doesn't work out, then I have asked to test fit a 16" wheel (the 16" Konig Holes, 5x114.3, 42mm offset). I'd cover shipping costs, and Bob would send it to me, then I'd send it back and either get 3 more plus tires mounted, or get the 17" version.

Of the wheels TireTrends offers, I'm a fan of some of the Konigs - the Holes and Heliums are lightweight, yet proven strong, and aren't expensive - the Holes in 16" are $220, the 17" are $255. For a proven strong, light wheel, those are great prices.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Wing - I'm in on the group buy, assuming we come up with a steel solution. Will need shipping cost info to St. John's, NF as well.

canzoomer - seems like a Western buy won't happen here? The one-size-fits-all pricing for shipping within Canada was interesting from your guy.

 

Wel,this did not start, as 2 others responded, so go for it on your own, I guess.

I for one will not be needing them now, as I will not have an RX-8 soon ( I hope).

People seem to be ignoring the Nokians, which have a very good reputation.

 

If you guys are looking for group buy participants, I'm in also, but will not know for sure until after Oct 1. I've been down in New York a lot this month and have a dealer down there looking for a snow tire solution and neither he nor Mazda USA has come up with anything yet. Having done a lot of RWD winter driving my preference is for steel and skinny.

Am I the only one that thinks Mazda has not done their homework on this car? Between less HP, lousy mileage (our Suburban gets better mileage towing a big boat), and this snow tire problem the buyout is beginning to look appealing despite the fact that after 1 month we really, really like the car.

And why is it that you guys have to do all this running around for wheels and tires. The dealer or Mazda Canada should have a snow tire package available or at least a suggestion. And when I asked about a block heater all I got was a blank stare. It all makes me wonder which genius at Mazda was responsible for marketing to cold weather countries.

Anyway thanks for the vent, please keep me in the loop with your plans for the snows.

 

You are right. This is so silly.
Selling cars in Canada and the northern USA with no forethought about wheels, tires and block heaters is a bit short sighted.

The base RX-8 in Japan comes with 16" alloy wheels that fit properly, and would be an easy choice for people to use for their snow tires.

Of course, being Genuine Mazda Parts they would probably be ridiculously expensive, but still..

I suggested this to my dealer and Mazda Canada and they did not know anything about this.

I guess the blame is to Mazda head office for not letting them know. Still, i I were in the business of selling htis car, I would make a bit more effort to be aware..

That is just the whole car industry attitude over here, I suppose..

 

canzoomer:

we all appreciate that you are upset. let it go. Please complain in the lounge and please do not interrupt a thread that is trying to accomplish something.

I'm sure we all appreciate hearing from you, and hope you are feeling better having made your decision, but could you please keep it to the lounge. Or write a doucment that expresses your concerns, post it for us, and send it off to Mazda. I'm sure they will appreciate your input if you present it in a constructive manner.

So I can't wait to see your complait letter. I'm drafting one now. I will be mentioning many of the issues you raised (and I understand the envelope thing was a metaphor).

Hey, Maurice, take it easy, buddy.
Sleep is important too. And quit smoking!!!
We appreciate your input on ideas for winter rims and tires.
I mailed off my accept offer letter today. I am not giving up my 8! Enjoy it while you still get to drive it!!!


other thread contributors: sorry just had to say that. Great info so far guys....its just getting rims that fits..it seems. Is the technical info posted so far enough to determine whether rims fit?? (ie is the break clearance issue covered in the numbers) or does one have to maunally attempt to fit the rim individually.

I'm looking at a sweet pair of "17" x 7.5 alloys for not too bad a price, that I think i might use with some nice winter tires. I'm thinking about online ordering, and don't want to have to worry about them arriving and not fitting. Nobody seems to have fitment information.

I will post the link to the products if anyone is interested.

Don't really have much more to say...I've learned a lot so far. Thanks!!

aside: Here I agree with maurice that someone through mazda should be assisting us with a "winter package" (including hooking us up with rims tires, hell even the ski bag) or at least be able to provide us with numerical specifications that allow us to buy rims elsewhere that we know can fit.

 

Oh lay off it, for Gods sake.

I suggested that if you want genuine Mazda wheels, that you KNOW fit your car properly, ASK THE DEALER!

Mazda have them. It is the base wheel.
The 18" are the option!

You can buy non functional spoilers, side strakes, chrome gas filler caps, leather gee gaws, NAV systems with no maps for most of the country, but not winter wheels and tires in Canada???

All I was doing was agreeing with the other fellow in the point that car makers should think of these things.

All car makers.
Yes, I said I am getting an Audi. A car from Germany, wher ethey have winter. And yet it came with stupid summer semi-racing tires.
Mazda I could almost forgive. They are a company in Japan.
But they DID pick items and options they thought would sell in Canada. Do you realize what a big opportunity they have missed here? If half the owners buy wheel and tires that is $750 or more per car they sell on average. That's a 2%add on to gross sales.
And at really good markups.
If the dealers sold this stuff there probably would even be a reason for this thread.

If you are going to buy a car up here it is a really good chance that you might want to buy winter tires and a block heater.

It would also be a brilliant idea if they offered all season tires, instead of just putting summer gumballs on cars, with a wear rating of 160, that do not last too long.

Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, Honda, and so on. They ALL DO IT!

Maybe you want those kind of tires.
But at 0C ( 32 F for the Yanks) these tires are not only impractical, they are dangerous. When cold these tires have the grip properties of a pair of roller skates. On ice they might as well be made of iron.

They offer you the choice of leather or cloth, Bose or cassette players, and so on, but can not seem to get the idea that a basic functional and safety item like tires might be best offered in some useful choices.

They put ABS, traction control, 8 air bags, side pillars, collapsing bodywork, huge front and rear bumpers, seat belts, all to meet the goal of safety. Then they put on a set of tires that are unsafe in at least half theyear on these cars.

Look at us, new cars, and we are immediately out spending at least $1,500 so we can use our cars for 3/4 of the year.

Does not this strike you as odd???

Don't rant on my *** becasue I pointed out something that is bloody obvious.
Go to your damned dealer and ask them to do your job in making your car useful for where you live and where they sell it.

So, flame the guy that brought it up, or get off my ***.

 

Cool. I just discovered the ignore list. I'll have to use that more often.

 

I did go to my dealer, and he has offered me several winter tire packages, including 17" and 18" options.

What he does do is use aftermarket wheels and not Mazda wheels, but the dealer is trying to keep me on the road in the winter.

My dealer is Performance Mazda in Ottawa.

I am looking for what the group buy can offer as a price improvement. Then I can bargan with Performance Mazda or take the group price.

 

Sounds like you have a dealer who is on the ball!

 

mdmclean,

I'm in for whatever you might be doing with performance.
How has the service been so far?

 

Except for asking about snow tires, I have not had the car in for service. I have about 1400km on it now.