Wheel suggestions - Mazda 6 MPS/Mazdaspeed 6

"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer) 11/28/2017 at 09:35 • Filed to: Mazdaspeed

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I’m thinking about stuff to do with my Mazda 6 MPS over the next year if it passes the yearly check next month... Up until today the shortlist looked a bit like this;

New exhaust system (quite like how !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! sounds)

New air intake

New springs/shocks

Today I had my winter tires put on and I noticed the wheels are starting to look like crap. Pieces of paint flaking off due to rust bubbling up etc. They are the original wheels, so about 12 years old. They still look decent for that age, but now of course I’m thinking new wheels should find it’s way to the list.

No idea where to start, so suggest me some please :). Below is a side shot of my car to get an idea of what the wheels would go on and for those inclined to Photoshop them on.

I think Mazda did pretty well with their wheel choice, but finding clean OEM wheels is hard.

Meanwhile, here’s an updated issue list for those of you who might remember previous posts about the Mazda. Updates since September after the //:

Airbag/seatbelt pre-tensioner warning light permanently on // This is the main issue and a reason why it would not pass the yearly check. My regular guy could not access the airbag control unit and jiggling/pushing the connectors in under the seat did not help either. So will be going to the dealer tomorrow and see what the damage to my wallet might be... 

Minor oil leak near engine // Still there, should be OK as long as I monitor levels etc

Possible fluid leak near rear axle but never saw it myself // Possibly still there, no update

Leaky exhaust needs welding // Drove around too long with leaky catback exhaust. Had to be mostly replaced. Found a guy who did decent work for not too much money and it did not ruin the sound so far.

Rubber belt on side of the engine is rubbing against something // Still rubbing

Headlights are modded and not working like they should // Looking for replacements but no idea if regular Mazda 6 lights will work

Airconditioning doesn’t work // Not important for another 6 months

6 CD changer doesn’t work // Not important

For all its flaws it still drives really well and will push you into the seat with the turbo kicking in, all while hauling 3 extra adults in a full leather interior playing your favorite driving music over the Bose sound system... I will make this car last as long as I responsibly can...

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Jetstreamer 11/28/2017 at 09:48

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What is the bolt pattern? If 5x108mm ST and Focus RS wheels will fit and look good

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jetstreamer 11/28/2017 at 09:54

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What’s your budget?

AkursedX > Jetstreamer 11/28/2017 at 09:55

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If you want to keep an OEM look, find some RX-8 wheels. They look great on the MS6 IMO.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > AkursedX 11/28/2017 at 10:00

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That’s sexy

Takuro Spirit > AkursedX 11/28/2017 at 10:06

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Came here to post this.

RX-8 Wheels FTW

Takuro Spirit > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 11/28/2017 at 10:07

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5x114.3

Textured Soy Protein > Jetstreamer 11/28/2017 at 10:10

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On my MS6 I had Drag DR-38 a.k.a. Enkei GTC01 knockoffs.

Jetstreamer > AkursedX 11/28/2017 at 10:19

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Oh damn, that does look sexy and keeping it OEM always appeals to me... already found some for a decent price on Ebay... Hmmm :).

Jetstreamer > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 11/28/2017 at 10:23

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Will have look at that style though.

Jetstreamer > Textured Soy Protein 11/28/2017 at 10:24

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Looked good!

Jetstreamer > interstate366, now In The Industry 11/28/2017 at 10:24

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Sub <$1000 for sure.

CKeffer > Jetstreamer 11/28/2017 at 10:28

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Regular 6 headlights will absolutely work, though you’ll want 06+ if you want to keep the black housings. As for wheels if you are wanting to stay OEM then RX8 or gen 2 Speed3 wheels are always a solid choice.

If you are willing to go aftermarket, then the ASA AR1 looks damn good on the 6

Though I might be biased since the car pictured used to be mine, and yes they also come in silver.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Jetstreamer 11/28/2017 at 10:35

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Cragar’s. Chrome Cragars on everything.

Jetstreamer > Future next gen S2000 owner 11/28/2017 at 10:41

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Hahaha, no thanks.

Jetstreamer > CKeffer 11/28/2017 at 10:49

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Those looked good with the black on black and silver accent!

Thanks for the info on the lights as well. That’s good news since the specific part# for the Mazdaspeed 6/MPS are impossible to find or very, very expensive. I was not sure with the difference in terms of headlamp leveling etc. Some are listed with automatic leveling, some are not. I will have a look in the list of my local parts store.

Is replacing the lights a manageable job for someone without much experience working on cars? I have got the workshop manual but it’s my first car and also the first one I would ever work on myself.

Wacko > Jetstreamer 11/28/2017 at 10:58

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CKeffer > Jetstreamer 11/28/2017 at 11:09

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Thanks! Looks wise, the 6 is still my favorite car that I’ve owned, definitely not the fastest (my current FoST), or the most fun to drive (a toss up between my NB Miata, and previous Mini Cooper S), but damn did it look good.
The lights are pretty straight forward, it really should only be a matter of pulling the front bumper, unbolting and unhooking the old unit, and then doing the reverse to install the new one. As for auto leveling, I really don’t know about that since I’m not sure it was even an option on the USDM cars. I seem to remember reading somewhere that EUDM/JDM cars that came stock with HID headlights had that feature, but I wouldn’t swear to it. Still all the headlights are shaped the same, so the actual housings will fit regardless. I will add though, that if you have HIDs and the lights are acting wonky, it may be the ballast that is going bad rather than the headlight housing.

Jetstreamer > CKeffer 11/28/2017 at 11:41

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Problem with the lights is that I think one of the previous owners put some weird non-OEM lights in that will not switch off with the lights set to the OFF position and have a blueish tint. I can also see a loose plus hanging around behind one of the units but can’t really get in there to check what it is.

I think I will need to take the bumper off at some point in the future anyway to check out if all is OK behind there. I will then check out the current units and replace them if necessary.

Totally agree with you on the looks. The MPS even looks a bit nicer and beefier and it does something about the speed, though it is nothing too special after 12 years of technological advancement.

CKeffer > Jetstreamer 11/28/2017 at 12:53

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Fun, gotta love POs who did janky stuff to the car before you got it.

MarquetteLa > Jetstreamer 11/28/2017 at 13:14

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I picked up a set of these RX-8 wheels (came wrapped with Blizzaks) for my Speed6 a few months ago. They fit perfectly, a bit more flush with the fenders than the OEM Speed6 wheels. I’d like to get them powder-coated bronze, but probably won’t any time soon.

Jetstreamer > MarquetteLa 11/28/2017 at 13:27

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I’m sold... Those will go on the list for sure!

ateamfan42 > AkursedX 11/28/2017 at 13:34

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Agree... the RX-8 wheels have always been a good choice.

I ran RAYS Gram Lights 57F on mine in the summer and loved the look. A little pricey (I found a deal), but nice and light— and a half inch wider than the RX-8 wheels.

As for intake and springs/shocks, buy mine!
https://maine.craigslist.org/pts/d/mazdaspeed6-performance-parts/6404262184.html

https://maine.craigslist.org/pts/d/mazdaspeed6-performance-parts/6404261490.html

Jetstreamer > MarquetteLa 11/28/2017 at 19:04

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Yikes... Including shipping, four of those wheels will cost me the same as an RX-8 that’s broken down here in Estonia. Could buy that, take the wheels off it and sell it for parts/scrap :P.