Aug 23rd 2024
The best wheels & tires for you Mazda RX-8
Do you really need 10.5 wide rear wheels for your clapped-out NA 13B that makes 130HP on a good day? No, but in this fitment guide we’re going to show you what it takes to fit them anyway.
This information is specifically dedicated to the 2003-2012 Mazda RX-8. As a rotary owner, it's important to always save for a rainy day… you never know what your apex seals will blow for the nth time. We included wheels at all price points, as well as cars with different types of fitment. If you’re one of the few with deep enough pockets to fully build a rotary, don’t worry, this has something for you too.
Quick links
Basic fitment info
- Lug pattern: 5x114.3
- Lug thread: M12x1.5
- Center bore: 67.1mm
- Lug torque: 75 ft lbs
Like any proper JDM sports coupe, the RX-8 uses the all-common 5x114.3 lug pattern, meaning you're spoiled for choice on wheel options.
Factory wheel crossovers
We see a lot of these cars running stock wheels off other makes and models: EVO X, Nissan Z/Infiniti G, Acura TL, and now you’ll even see Tesla wheels.
EVO X GSR
370Z
Tesla Model 3
What about aftermarket wheels?
That’s what you’re here for, right? Before we show you examples, here's generally what you’ll wanna run on your 8.
The most common size for aftermarket wheels is 18”, which is a size used by the factory. 16’s are also used, but unless you want winter wheels, these are a bit too small (why would you get an RWD coupe for winter driving anyway?). 17 to 19-inch diameters work best for this platform.
For width and offset, the factory 18x8 +50 wheels are far too sunken. A good width is anywhere between 8.5-9.5. If staggered, a 10 or even 10.5 can be used in the rear.
Offsets will range depending on the stance you want, but for flush fitment, you’re looking at a +25-40, depending on how wide you size your wheels.
Other considerations
Normally this would be the part where we break the news that you have to attack your car with a grinder like Akira Nakai to get the fitment you want. The RX-8 is pretty vanilla in terms of fitment, and we mean that in the best way. It doesn’t have big brakes or struts that are hard to clear.
If your wheels are aggressively spec’d you may need to roll the fenders, but that’s about it. Removing the rear fender liners will give you some clearance. The fronts, however, have sheet metal behind them, so if you’re rubbing here you simply might be too low. Some tactical trimming to the front liner can gain a bit of additional space.
If you’ve worked on older Japanese RWD cars, fitting wheels on your 8 shouldn’t be too much different. The only difference is it has TPMS sensors. How do you deal with them? 1) ditch them and live with a light on your dash 2) program it out 3) add TPMS sensors to your aftermarket wheels (if possible).
Pretty simple, right? Enough talk, let's take a look at how aftermarket wheels look in the real world.
Examples of Mazda RX-8 fitment
| Fitment Facts | ||
| | Front | Rear |
| Wheels | Enkei Raijin 18x8 +40 | Enkei Raijin 18x8.5 +38 |
| Tires |
Michelin 235/40R18 |
Michelin 255/40R18 |
| Notes | Staggered setup. No rubbing. 'OE+ fitment' | |
Factory EVO X GSR Enkei wheels look pretty good on an 8, but here’s a lighter alternative - Enkei Raijin. At around $250/piece it's hard to beat these. Sure, you might save a few bucks on a used set of GSR wheels, but you can get these brand new and save yourself a sketchy Marketplace interaction.
As far as fitment is concerned, the wheels are just barely more aggressive than stock. The owner decided to step things up in the tire size. This is running 235/40 fronts and 255/40 rears. Still, with these specs you won’t have to worry about rolling fenders, simply plug-N-play. Not aggressive enough? Good news, we can go even further before worrying about additional modifications.
| Fitment Facts | ||
| | Front | Rear |
| Wheels | Motegi Battle V 18x9.5 +38 | Motegi Battle V 18x9.5 +38 |
| Tires | Firestone Indy 500 245/40R18 | Firestone Indy 500 245/40R18 |
| Notes | Tein lowering springs. Minor rubbing | |
Most of you will want something a bit more aggresive. This is what happens when the wheels are 9.5” with a similar offset to the last. These will poke out about ½” more. This car happens to be lowered on Tein lowering springs, but the specs you see here would suit stock height, slammed cars, or anything in between.
At this height, there’s slight rubbing, but the fenders are unrolled.
| Fitment Facts | ||
| | Front | Rear |
| Wheels | Heritage Ebisu MonoC 18x9.5 +38 (effective +13) | Heritage Ebisu MonoC 18x9.5 +38 (effective +13) |
| Tires | Vercelli Strada II 225/45R18 | Vercelli Strada II 225/45R18 |
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Notes
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See more pics and details of this 2004 RX-8. |
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No, it’s not on air. This 2004 RX-8 is static on coils. It’s not for everyone, but it will definitely turn some heads at your local Cars & Coffee meet. You can’t beat the black wheels with the factory chrome finish from Heritage. If you wanna pick up a set we have the best place to buy them.
The specs here look almost identical, except this car is running 25mm spacers. To copy this fitment you’ll definitely have to roll your fenders, especially if your car is slammed. This car comes from our Fitment Gallery. Check out more deals or see others like it over there.
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| Fitment Facts | ||
| | Front | Rear |
| Wheels | Advan RS-DF 18x9.5 +22 | Advan RS-DF 18x9.5 +22 |
| Tires | Toyo R888R 255/35R18 | Toyo R888R 255/35R18 |
| Notes | -3 degrees of camber all around. No rubbing. Coilovers (unknown brand). | |
Here’s something with more or less identical specs, but with wider tires. We’ve seen a 255/40, but what happens if you try to put a 255 in the front? This car pulls it off without needing the fenders rolled. Pretty impressive. He’s running -3 degrees of camber. The camber plus the 255/35 instead of a /40 provides some extra breathing room. There’s zero rubbing, not even during track driving.
If you have the budget and plan to do some track driving, these Advan’s are super light and look pretty sick too.
| Fitment Facts | ||
| | Front | Rear |
| Wheels | Gram Lights 57xtreme 19x9.5 +38 | Gram Lights 57xtreme 19x10.5 +35 |
| Tires |
Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/35R19 |
Michelin Pilot Super Sport 265/35R19 |
| Notes | No rubbing. Rear fender rolled, rear liners deleted. | |
While 18’s are the go-to, 19’s can look good too. The wheel and tire combo here comes out to about ½” larger in overall diameter. You don’t want to lift your RX-8, so at least budget a set of lowering springs, preferably coilovers. This car is running Fortune Auto 500 coils. As it sits, there’s no rubbing or scrubbing - only the rear fenders needed a roll and the liners deleted.
| Fitment Facts | ||
| | Front | Rear |
| Wheels | Advan GT Beyond 18x10.5 +15 | Advan GT Beyond 18x10.5 +15 |
| Tires | Yokohama Sport A/S+ 245/35R18 | Yokohama Sport A/S+ 245/35R18 |
| Notes | Factory suspension arms. Lots of fender rolling + pulling. Slight rubbing at full lock | |
Once again we see some Advans. These specs are very impressive for the stock body - 18x10.5 +15 all around. This car is on Silvers Neomax 2 coils and, believe it or not, it’s using factory suspension arms.
To make these fit on the stock arches, the fenders needed to be rolled and pulled as much as possible. Keep in mind the 245/35 tires have a pretty decent stretch on the 10.5J wheels.
Even with the pulled fenders, there’s still a bit of poke in the rear. If you wanna run wheels this wide, possibly consider a slighty higher offset, maybe +25 to +35, similar to the previous car.
Bonus - the craziest specs you’ll see on an 8
| Fitment Facts | ||
| | Front | Rear |
| Wheels | Heritage Hokkaido 18x11.5 -34 | Heritage Hokkaido 18x13.5 -47 |
| Tires | Lexani Lxuhp-207 245/45R18 | Lexani Lxuhp-207 285/40R18 |
| Notes | Coilovers: Godspeed mono max. Rubs on bumps. Full Pandem (Rocket Bunny) widebody kit. See more pics and details of this 2004 RX-8. | |
Most of you won’t be doing a full widebody kit, but just in case we threw this one in. Frankly, the specs here are just too crazy not to share: 18x11.5 -34 front and 18x13.5 -47 rear. This is made possible with a full Pandem widebody kit. The manufacturer doesn’t list how much wider this makes the car, but obviously, it's very very wide.
Maybe you’re considering widebody, but not to this extent. You’re going to put on +25 fender flares and call it a day. The great thing about 3P wheels, like these Heritage Hokkaido's, is you can get them in the exact specs you need for your application - and we can help you do that. Feel free to Contact Us and we can start putting together your dream wheels… like, today.
Wrap up
Arguably, wheels are one of the better investments for your RX-8. Unlike apex seals, they won’t just spontaneously self-destruct. All the money you pour into go-fast mods can’t be enjoyed if your car is hardparked in the garage. But wheels? You can enjoy the look of them while your car collects dust.
We showed you what fits; all the way from $250/piece Enkei’s, up to baller Advan GT’s and 3P Heritage Hokkaido’s. All the wheels featured here can be found in our shop, plus much much more. You can get the perfect wheels for your build, add mounted and balanced tires, and get them shipped to your door as a package - no tire shop needed.