I bought a Mazda 3 Sedan w/ Sports Package on about December 20. I test drove about 5 times before I signed on the dotted line. I find the ride is directly related to the road. If the road is newly paved, the ride is rather good but if there are lots of pits in the road, gritty roads, or patched roads the ride is really kind of harsh and rather noisy. In the area I live Northern Virginia the roads are pretty bad. Anyways I am basically wondering how much difference would the ride be if I changed from the Eagle RS-A 17" it came with to a 16" Tire thats highest rating is in Comfort & Noise.

I never thought I would buy a car that I love everything about it accept the roughness in driving. I drove a Toyota Corolla for 11 years before this and it was noisy but not harsh. Maybe it will just taking getting use to.

Any advice.
Thanks
Shawn

 

Welcome to the club!

Changing from a 17 to a 16 might improve the road/tire noise a little, but I doubt it would really be noticeable. But in doing so, you will be getting a higher sidewall which may afect your handling just a slight bit. To me, not worth the trade-off as I 3 handles so well the only thing I would ever want to do with it is to improve it.

Perhaps you can install some sound dampener/insulator?

 

Check your tire pressures. When I bought my car, all the tires were at 42-45psi.

 

i purchased mine with 16in toyos and its a 4door S and its pretty quiet. And the others with the 17s that i test drove were toyos as well and it was pretty quiet i guess i just havent test drove on with eagles to see. dont know if it was any help but goodluck

 

I have Eagles on my 5 door S and live in PA, the roads are horrible but I am very pleased so far with the ride and road noise level. The biggest thing is check the pressures and keep checking them. It has been my experience from back in the early 50 series days of the VW craze that a few pounds can make a big difference. Don't go to the 16's.

 

Going to a 16" will make a big difference to the ride. When I was looking to get the Mini I drove both the 16" & the 17" and was amazed at how much nicer the ride was with the smaller wheels. You will give up a little feedback from the wheels and a turn in will not be as sharp but you will have a smother ride.

 

I was looking to "downgrade" from my current ride, a 2002 Acura RSX Type S. So, I was considering both the Toyota Matrix and the new Mazda 3 5-door (I want the extra space in back for those trips to Home Depot, etc.). I drove the Matrix first, and it was "okay." Then I drove the Mazda 3... it doesn't feel like a "downgrade" at all. The handling of the new Mazda 3 is very similar to the RSX-S (quick acceleration, tight cornering, good steering feel, etc.), but the ride is a little smoother (the Type S can be a real kidney basher around town). So, I'm now considering my new purchase to be an UPGRADE, for a decrease in price. Let's just see how it handles in the snow and ice here during the east coast winters (I spun out in the RSX twice, once into a guard rail on the freeway).