I have a 2006 Mazda 3s with the factory 17 inch rims. The 3 is a great summer car but I'm now in my second winter with it, and it unfortuately leaves several things to be desired this time of year.

Last winter I ditched the Goodyear Eagles that were on there once I figured out how awful they were in the snow, and had them replaced with Kumho Ecsta tires, to the tune of $700 - big improvement over the Goodyears, but still crummy as far as snow traction goes. I also blew one out on a pothole last winter, lucky I didn't destroy the wheel too. This winter has been very snowy so far and, with a summer's worth of tread worn off the Kumhos already, something's gotta give.

I was in Duluth, MN this weekend... Think San Francisco with 3 feet of snow... Took me five minutes to make it half a block uphill, and this was AFTER the plows had come through.

So my new plan is to obtain a second set of rims, ideally from a junkyard, that are smaller than 17" and keep winter tires on them, changing the wheels out twice a year, which I don't mind doing. But how small can I go? The brake calipers look fairly large so I need to be sure I'll clear them. I know what the bolt pattern is, but does anyone know if there are other (i.e. older) models of cars that have 15" wheels that will work? Maybe even 14's? Or am I stuck with 16 or larger? Smaller wheels would help prevent the pothole problem.

I've read that the Grand Caravan has the same bolt pattern but I'm not sure the offset is the same... is that a big problem? Any other past models of cars that make for an easy wheel swap?

Since I hope to get them at a junkyard, a compatible American car will increase my chances of finding some.

 

I went around and around with this. I even bought a set of Falcon ze-912's ... last winter. They are just terrible even in light snow.

Just yesterday I have decided to say the hell with it and get some dedicated snow tires. My local tire shop only charges 20 dollars to switch out tires ... switchover special as they call it. I am buying a set of 4 of Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D's.

They are going to cost me $137/tire...totals out to 613 installed on my car. I will be getting them this weekend.

That is my suggestion. I will post on this forum my results after getting these put on.

FYI - The smallest you can go with a mazda 3 is 205/55-16. If you wanted to get a second set of rims because you don't have a place that will switch over for cheap. I would suggest creating a wheel and tire package at tirerack.com. http://www.tirerack.com/snow/changeover.jsp

 

Your best bet (like you said) are dedicated snow rims/tires. The smallest you can go on a 3i is a 15", smallest on a 3s/MS3 is 16" (bigger brakes). You want to aim for smaller wheels (= bigger sidewall), and narrower tread for snow wheels. Also going with new wheels the tires should be cheaper than when shopping for the stock 17" rims.

 

try buying used wheels off of craigs list or ebay or even this forum . your bolt pattern is 5 x114mm not sure of the offset. you can look at mazda 3,5,6 wheels
or if you want new go to tirerack.com and the will give many options for you car.
the bolt pattern/ offset is preety common. good luck.