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Winter tires/wheels for a 1st AND 3rd-gen 6?

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7K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  brydenco  
#1 ·
I'm curious if this is possible, even though I know the wheels would not be "optimal" for either vehicle. I have an 05 Mazda6 with stock 17" wheels. I plan to buy a 2015 mazda6 in the next year or 2, so I'd love to be able to get a set of snow tires/wheels that can I use for the new car as well.

I've looked at 16" wheels for the winter set, since they are cheaper and generally seem like a better snow option. I'm aware that the 05 in a 16" uses 205/60R16 tires, and they need to have a load rating of 91+. Tirerack has a set of 215/60R16 (95T, 6.5" rim width, 26.1" diam) Blizzak WS70s that I would like to use, since they are well rated and on sale.

I gather that I will need a wheel with an offset of at least 50 mm to use it on my 1st gen? One set I was looking at are:
Sport Tuning T9
Size: 16x7
Offset: 53mm
Backspacing: 6.10"
Bolt Pattern: 5-114
Rec. Tire Size: 205/60-16
Weight: 17.05lbs.
Construction: 1pc. Gravity Cast

Are these wheels garbage? Would this combo fit my car? Tirerack seems to think that anything other than a 205/60-16 will not fit my car.
Second, would these work in the 3rd gen 6? Or should I abandon that dream entirely?

I accidentally posted this in the wrong section originally, but don't know how to delete that thread.
 
#2 ·
It looks like they'll work for the 2014, but it won't be a great fitment. The stock 2014 tires are 27.0" diameter, while your proposed snow tires are 25.7" diameter. You can compare the two here and see how they work.

2014 OEM
Tires: 225/45-19
Wheels: 19x7.5 et45


Also, I just realized that the 2014 sport comes with 17" wheels, so 16" may be too tight for brake clearances. I doubt that would be the case, since these brakes are tiny, but it's something that you would want to verify.
 
#3 ·
IIRC, 16" wheels/tires SHOULD work, but I'd check with Byakuya to be sure...

As for tire size, run with 215/60s as the MINUMUM size, since the difference in diameter and circum. is 3%, which is the absolute max you can run without causing problems. If you can get 225/60s, that would be a better fit.

Good luck.
 
#4 ·
You're right on the money, sir.

OEM Sport 2014s run 225/55/17. I'm on 235/50/17 and my speedometer is off 1mph for every 60mph.

If you go to 16's, you'll want at least 225/60/16 for the 3rd gen. But I don't know if a 1st gen could handle running 225/60/16, and even if it could, your speedometer would be way off.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Thanks a lot for all the input guys. Maybe I would be better off just getting real cheap snow tires and steel rims for the '05 and then getting something nicer and more appropriate for the '15 when I get it.

I just thought of something else though. Does the new 6 (touring) have TPMS? My car doesn't, so my snow tires wouldn't. Would that keep me from using them on the '15?
 
#7 ·
I just thought of something else though. Does the new 6 (touring) have TPMS? My car doesn't, so my snow tires wouldn't. Would that keep me from using them on the '15?
No. You'll be able to use them without a problem. The only thing that'll happen with putting non-TPMS rims on the 6 is that the tire pressure light will flash on the dashboard for the first 30 seconds, then stay on. There's no effect on the steering, braking, or handling of the car itself. If you can ignore the light, you'll do just fine.
:smile2:
 
#8 ·
No need to worry about the TPMS on the 3rd gen. It's calculated by the ABS instead of using wheel-mounted sensors. You would just need to reset it when you put the new wheels on, which is pretty much pressing a button for a few seconds.
 
#9 ·
Tire Rack is also showing a WS70 in 215/65R16 (cheaper than the 225/60R16 to boot), which is just about the exact same height as the 225/45R19. I don't know how well 16's fit on the new 6 as for brake clearance on the fronts, should be fine as the rotor size is listed as 11.7" whereas the 2nd gen's were 11.8" and I know for a fact that 16"s fit a 2nd gen - would probably look funny though with the huge sidewall. Not sure how well that would fit a 1st gen too, anyone else know if 27" tall wheel/tire fits? As for increased section width, narrower tires tend to do better in the snow. I run 205/60R16 WS70's on my 1st gen, much better in the weather than my prior Conti ExtremeWinterContact's.
 
#10 ·
Yeah, I was going to go with the 215/60R16 rather than the 215/65 because the 215/60 is already larger than my stock tires, and the 215/65 would be even worse. I was worried about them rubbing or something if they were too much larger.
 
#12 ·
I just (5 min ago) bought the 215/60 Blizzaks and some basic steel rims. I didn't like any of the rims they had with a >50+ offset, and I'm not thrilled with how small they will be on the '15 anyway, so I figured going cheap on the wheels was the best bet if I may only use them for 2 years or so.

Thanks again for all the input.