Hello everyone and greetings from NYC.I own a 2007 mazda 3 2.3 hatchback automatic.this car is really fun and has been my favorite toy for the last 4 years.....I have bent all 4 of my 17inch tenzo concept 9 rims.i would like to fill the wheel well out a lil bit on the next go round.So i am thinking of getting 18inch rims(help w/tire size would be nice)to fill out the wheel well.i do really like the way the car drives now so i dont wanna take away from it to much...............So...any thought moderators???????/what would be the pros and cons of getting 1 inch larger wheels?????

I have new rotors,and pads.I plan to replace all 4 rims,tires,shocks,and struts.......SOOO my question is.....MODERATORS..what do you think???????????????????????18s and some nice tires????? or coilovers and stay with the 17s i have now with nice pirelli 205 50 17s (since im gonna replace shocks and struts any way)
lastly if you chose coilovers,any reccomendations on some brands??????????????? thankyou alll very much

 

Two tyre size websites for you

Tire size calculator
&
http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculator

 

If you're bending 17" wheels, going to 18's will only make the problem worse. you need more tire sidewall to buffer potholes and bumps from the wheel or it will take most of the hit and, as you've found out, bend or crack.
Also, going bigger to "fill out the wheel wells" will not do your transmission, fuel mileage or speedo any favors either, at least not w/o changing the final drive ratio to compensate. As far as I know, there are not a lot of choices in rear gears for the Mazda3. Bigger means your car will be going faster than indicated by the speedo. It also means the car will be working harder to get to speed, reducing fuel mileage and putting more strain on the trans. You are effectively proposing the reduce your final drive ratio. The car will be somewhat slower.
If this is a mostly winter problem, consider a set of winter only tires on 16" rims, 205/55's should be correct.

 

i thought it would take alot away from the car,thanks virgin....so i can just get 17inch and save a hundred fifty or so. maybe more.
so would getting coilovers and lowering it a little cause any changes like switching to 18 inch rims???
like i said i am changing shocks and struts. so with the price of the shx/strt plus the money i save on a rim and tire set that is not 18 inches now but 17 inches, i was thinking about coilovers.....virgin, can you tell me any pros and cons to coilovers???? maybe recommend a brand...what is the difference in 17 and 17.5 as far as rims go???? thanks alot man.