Just Picked up a Speed 6

[dkepich]

I just picked up an 06 Speed6, and I am loving it so far!




I am also looking for some advice on purchasing 17in wheels and tires for the winter. I would appreciate any input because I understand that not all 17s will fit on the speed due to the size of the calipers. Also if anyone has a set (17s or 18s) they are looking to unload, please let me know.

[bmorrisj]

[dkepich]

QUOTE (bmorrisj @ Nov 9 2009, 07:50 PM)

[/b]

???? Did I miss something??

[bmorrisj]

its a tarp
welcome, and congrats on your purchase tho.... you'll enjoy it

[jd42]

QUOTE (Earl of Pearl @ Nov 9 2009, 07:19 PM)

I am also looking for some advice on purchasing 17in wheels and tires for the winter. I would appreciate any input because I understand that not all 17s will fit on the speed due to the size of the calipers.[/b]

Good plan to go smaller diameter wheels in the winter. The tires are less expensive and the extra sidewall gives your rims better protection from bad roads.

Most 17" rims should be fine over the calipers, but it is always good practice to check before committing and mounting tires. The important spec to watch for any aftermarket rims on this car is the offset. Stay +50mm or higher, and you'll probably be all set. Lower offsets (like +45 or +40mm) can work too depending on the tire size.

The OEM 17" rims from the regular Mazda6 are a good choice for winter for the MS6. The offset if nice and high (+60mm), and the prices for used sets are usually pretty reasonable. The only real down-side is the same narrow 7" width as the factory 18" rims. This means you are basically limited to the same narrow tires as OEM (although this is preferable for good snow traction).

[dkepich]

Thanks for the info! If anyone has a set of OEM 6 wheels they are looking to sell, please hit me up. I was also wondering if anyone of you have run either stock size of 17in all seasons on the speed6 and how they performed.

[dougefresh_]

QUOTE (Earl of Pearl @ Nov 10 2009, 10:18 AM)

Thanks for the info! If anyone has a set of OEM 6 wheels they are looking to sell, please hit me up. I was also wondering if anyone of you have run either stock size of 17in all seasons on the speed6 and how they performed.[/b]

It doesn't say where you live, but I'm in Boston, and last year was my first winter with the MS6. I had the stock wheels, and stock bridgestone's (the high-performance summer tires). I had no problem getting around in the snow, even going up to NH skiing.

However, due to an alignment issue, two of my stock tires were toast. I couldn't justify spending $500 for two OEM tires, when I wanted a different set of wheels for car anyways. Money is tight over here too, so after searching for like 12 hours, I found a decent looking (albeit cheap) set of 18" wheels and tires. 4 wheels + 4 tires (winter), mounted, balanced, and shipped for $903! The tires are these cheapo Nexen 5000n's or something, but I actually like them better than the stockers. The car drives a lot smoother, and no road noise.

So, I just took of my stockers and threw them into my storage unit for now, but I want to hang onto them and use them in the summer. I don't even care if I break a rim and blow a tire on the aftermarket ones, because I can get new ones so cheap. I was going to buy 6 and just keep two in storage, but I was tight on loot.

Here's the website direct link to the one's I got (just saw they're on sale for 17's starting at $699 for all 4 + tires! Wheel Fire

Here's what they look like on my car:






Everyone's taste is obviously different, and these wheels are actually lighter in color than I hoped. The color is hyperdark, which I thought would look more like gunmetal =(. They look darker or lighter depending on the light. I'm very happy with them though. Everyone's taste is different, but that website is the cheapest I found. Expect about 2 full weeks for delivery.

PS. Nice choice in the color, and it hasn't been lowered. I know Morris loves the unsightly wheel gap! lol I just can't afford to lose any clearance where I live and park.

[speedtown]

hey doug I remember some of your threads about the SPC ball joints, who did you have put them in for you? also have you noticed the wear on the front tires yet? My front ones are TOAST right now, I'm getting winter rims/tires put on tmrw with an alignment, and I'm just wondering how long before it gets out of wack again and I'll need those ball joints.


edit: just noticed your winter rims...they're pretty sweet for that set-up. I'm going to be rocking out regular 6 rims painted black by me (here's hoping it doesn't chip!)