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18'' rims on a MX5

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:48 am
by phatR
Hey guys

Im pretty much a newbie to this forum and this is my first topic but from what a have read it seems like a fun active forum

anyway... just wondering has anyone put 18\"\" rims on a NB and whether you have to roll the guards for clearance

I only ask because I like the 5zigen 5ZRs but they only start from 18s and go up

heres a link of the rims

http://www.5zigen.com.au/hyper%20wheels.htm

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:05 am
by JBT
Apart from legality issues, you'll probably ruin the car's dynamics with all the extra mass and licorice strip tyres.

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:45 am
by manga_blue
MX5s really do not like weight in the wheels and tyres. Large or heavy wheels affect ride, handling, acceleration and braking performance. Most of the guys here who are serious about performance shop for lightweight 15\" wheels (or 16\" if they can ever find tyres at a reasonable price). You can put 18s on if you like but just be aware first that there are some real penalties.

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:17 pm
by AB7
I doubt you can get 4x100 pcd on those 5Zigen.
They are more likely to be designed for 5 studs vehicle.

I'd say 17\" is max for MX5.

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:38 pm
by ducktape69
if they come in 4x100...those 18x7.5 should fit without any rolling needed... is ur car lowered at all?

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:53 pm
by Benny
Welcome to the forum.
Once you've started, you'll be coming back often!

Nice looking wheels, but more than likely you'll have more problems than you bargained for.
Apart from the performance issues they may bring, you will also have legal issues to contend with.

If you are set on getting those rims, I know that Tempe Tyres have some very similar looking rims in 16\" and 17\" diameters and these may be better suited to the car.

For an NB, 17\" is really the largest diameter that is reasonable for weight and size and even then, try and get a light weight wheel as heavy wheels really do affect MX-5's.

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:05 pm
by Garry
Apart from legality issues, you'll probably ruin the car's dynamics with all the extra mass and licorice strip tyres.


But you'll look fabulous doing it! :P :mrgreen:

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:02 pm
by JBT
I'm not so sure......... :roll:

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:13 pm
by 16bit
why don't you look at these rims - they come in 17 inch and the correct pcd and offset

http://www.perfectrun.com.au/performanc ... Cface1.htm

this is a very cheap price too. I got a cost of 3k from the Rays dealer in NZ - this will set you back a little of 2k delivered.

also the are 2 piece forged - not 1 piece like the 18 inch ones you are looking at.

I have been told they weight between 7 and 8 kgs which is pretty good for a 17 x 7 rim.

Re:

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:30 pm
by phatR
ducktape69 wrote:if they come in 4x100...those 18x7.5 should fit without any rolling needed... is ur car lowered at all?


I just bought my baby so shes stock at the moment so not lowered

Cos I'm from Perth, 5zigen Australia referred me to this company Styled 2 Race as they are the WA agents or something for 5zigen... 5zigen also do exhausts for the mx5 aswell

so I looked these guys up and they said that the 5ZRs do come in 4/100

and the rims arent as heavy as first though I picked up other 5zigen rims which were 19s and they didnt feel that heavy

as far as getting rims from tepre tyres, id rather pass... id rather get quality rims rather than china copies...

getting over the net... well if there is a dent or scratch when it arrives im not sure how willing or supportive they will be to replace the damage rims

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:05 pm
by 16bit
they are based in brisbane so ok for me but not for you i spose. i am pretty sure that the postage comes with insurance. would be a hefty fall to dent a forged rim. considering the 5zigen rims will probably come from japan its much of muchness.

Re:

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:28 pm
by phatR
16bit wrote:they are based in brisbane


who is based in brisbane???

tempe tyres and perfect run are both in NSW

it even says on their websites

a friend of mine recent went to Sydney for a holiday and went to have a look at perfect run... he came back freaked out about perfect runs dodginess

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:18 pm
by Andy Wana
Stick with 14\" or 15\", your tyres will end up a lot cheaper too.
Big wheels don't suit the 5 at all. It'll be sluggish and ruins the car's dynamics too.

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:48 pm
by Caedrus
I have owned an NA with 17\" wheels.

The traction from the nasty tyres I got with them was terrible.
I felt like a was driving a HiLux.
The essential feeling of controlling the car was gone.

Of course, I felt that they looked spectacular.

Essentially:

From inside the car, they suck ass like a nuclear powered ass sucking machine.
From outside, they're fantastic.

Best of Luck.

C.

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:13 pm
by GP
Stick with 14\" or 15\", your tyres will end up a lot cheaper too.
Big wheels don't suit the 5 at all. It'll be sluggish and ruins the car's dynamics too.

I agree, O Rings for tyres look terrible.