mx5cartalk.com

Hello

Yeah. I'm a bit clueless with this stuff heh. Please don't laugh!

I've got a '89 MX5 which I adore. I've added quite a few accessories and things to smarten my little red gem up, but nothing overly major other than new shocks.

My question is basically this, I'd love to save up for and locate some fantastic looking 17' rims and tyres .. but that's about the extent of my knowledge.

Can anyone tell me what it is I need to ask for when going looking/shopping to make sure everything fits and won't end with me looking even more stupid? Can anyone recommend places to go in Melbourne, south east?

Thanks

Personally i'd recommend against 17\" wheels, i'd go 15\" or 16\" if you want something bigger to fill the wheel arch.

The stud pattern for the wheels are \"4x100\"
I think the offset is +45 (someone correct me if i'm wrong)

The hardest part will be finding aftermarket rims that are as light as or lighter than your stock wheels.

If you get heavier wheels you'll loose the fantastic handling your car has and find your wheels will be more inclined to tramline and bump steer.

You will really appreciate the input from some of the motorsport gurus at your local MX-5 club, they'll help you track down the right wheels.

I'm betting that most of the wheels available at your average everyday wheel/tyre store will be too heavy for the MX.

The PCD is 4x100 need this to bolt the wheel to the car...

I would also be reluctant to buy 17\" rims.... But if you twisted my arm and forced me to put 17\" on the car. There are some nice 17\" enkeis for sale in the forms. (I have no affiliation with the seller, but he has been trying to sell them for a while).

You have chosen to upsize so you now need lower profile tires... (less air slightly more bumpy ride)

Okibi wrote:Personally i'd recommend against 17" wheels, i'd go 15" or 16" if you want something bigger to fill the wheel arch.

Call me a goose and bitch slap me if Im wrong .... but if you put bigger wheels on but lower the profile of the tyre as you should then wont the "wheel arch gap" remain pretty much the same

probably talking more about the width & offest to fill out those arches to make it look smick rather that going the big wheels & small profile.

Okibi knows his stuff

Usually when you upgrade the rims to 17\" they weigh more.

More weight = less go cart like handling = less joy.

StanTheMan wrote:probably talking more about the width & offest to fill out those arches to make it look smick rather that going the big wheels & small profile.

Okibi knows his stuff

Nahhh talking visually.

The black tyre will be reduced (because the rims will be larger and the tyre narrower) making the the wheel look like it fits/fills the arch better.

My recomendation would be to stick with the OEM wheels. Firstly they suit the car better IMO and are the correct offset etc. In sure you've been read this thread http://www.mx5cartalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=29995.

Your (main) options are the 15' nb8a wheels, 16' nb8b wheels or 17' SE wheels. They regularly come up for sale on the forum 2nd hand, often with tyres too.

This guy has both a set of 16's and 17's. In Sydney though http://www.aus-cartalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=28960

Richee wrote:

Okibi wrote:Personally i'd recommend against 17" wheels, i'd go 15" or 16" if you want something bigger to fill the wheel arch.

Call me a goose and bitch slap me if Im wrong .... but if you put bigger wheels on but lower the profile of the tyre as you should then wont the "wheel arch gap" remain pretty much the same

Ya goose *BIATCH SLAP*
(sorry mate, couldn't resist)

You aren't wrong per se its just that the 17" combo WILL be slightly larger than the stock combo
stock=185/60 X 14 (22.7" diameter)
new= 204/40 X 17 (23.5" diameter)

so the 17 combo will appear slightly larger but it will also be accentuated by the stock ride height of the car.
If you do go 17's then I would suggest lowering your car to maximise the visual impact.
And it is visual impact you are after if you do go 17's

Most people here would strongly suggest against anything larger than 16's on a NA. And their logic is entirely valid.
However, I (and meanmx) think there is nothing that seriously wrong with 17's or even 18's if carried out sensibly (Dino's old car is a case in point).
I had 16's originally on my car and my new 17 combo feels/steers and rides much better.
Could be that my new wheels are lighter or perhaps a better tyre is fitted. dunno.
In any case, i think it looks sh*t hot-and thats what matters to me. I don't track event my car so I am not fazed by perceived issues.
DISADVANTAGES
1. Possibly illegal (3 inches over stock wheel diameter) you need to suss this out. could be an insurance sticking point too.
2. if offset is wrong may lead to excessive wear on bushes et al
3. may need lipping of front guard if you lower the car-no big deal but be aware of it.
4. will stuff up handling if you get a HEAVY (read chrome style) wheel.

anyway, these are my opinions. I say go for it. 17's look mad.

oh, this site http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html is the bomb for calculating wheel sizes.

oh, and did I mention 17's look awesome?? *flame suit on*

oh, and did I mention 17's look awesome?? *flame suit on*

A lot depends on the design of the wheel though. I have seen 17\" wheels that look like 16\" (or even 15\") and 16\" wheels that look like 17\". Generally an open type design with fewer, thinner spokes that go all the way to the edge of the rim will look bigger.

IMO wether you get 15\", 16\"or 17\"...make sure you get a lower offset rims IF you are going to lower your car. Not some crazy 0 offset, but my idea of great offset for 7\" wide rims is around +25 to +30.

Its a COW to discuss wether the increased track will enhance handling or not. I personally feel they do, but some people don't.

One thing for sure, if you have a look at a lowered MX5 with standard offset and compare them to the one with smaller offset...you can easily see which one looks better.

You might want to check the legalities of changing the offset. I'm pretty sure it's illegal in a FWD car but possible in a RWD car but only by a set amount.

Changing the offset will also change your scrub radius which is bad apparently.

But it looks better

fastfreddygassit wrote:

Richee wrote:

Okibi wrote:Personally i'd recommend against 17" wheels, i'd go 15" or 16" if you want something bigger to fill the wheel arch.

Call me a goose and bitch slap me if Im wrong .... but if you put bigger wheels on but lower the profile of the tyre as you should then wont the "wheel arch gap" remain pretty much the same

Ya goose *BIATCH SLAP*
(sorry mate, couldn't resist)

You aren't wrong per se its just that the 17" combo WILL be slightly larger than the stock combo
stock=185/60 X 14 (22.7" diameter)
new= 204/40 X 17 (23.5" diameter)

Thanks for that FFG ... I did say pretty much the same. As Okibi said its a visual thing.

FFG your car is very very nice and the wheels do look sh!t hot ... makes want an NA again . If you ever want to sell it and those stripes are straight let me know.

Richee wrote:Thanks for that FFG ... I did say pretty much the same. As Okibi said its a visual thing.

sorry dude but I couldn't resist the virtual slap offer.

Richee wrote:FFG your car is very very nice and the wheels do look sh!t hot ... makes want an NA again . If you ever want to sell it and those stripes are straight let me know.

again with the bent stripes.
They are NOT f%&king bent!!!

lmao

anyway, to answer shelleriffic's question.
I don't know anyone in Melb SE but you could speak to Jimmy at Bridgestone in Maribynong if you are down there next.
IIRC tyrepower are some of the cheapest tyre retailers around, so maybe give them a try.

What I do suggest is checking out the Tempe tyres website and possibly use that as a base/guide for wheel styles and prices.
Then see if your local retailer can match or better their prices (I think Tempe charge $70 to ship to Melbourne??).

shameless plug: you could check out the 17's I have for sale

http://www.aus-cartalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=381973#381973