mx5cartalk.com

Hey, I have a 97 NA8 and want to put some new wheels and tyres on to replace the stock 14" ones.

I am thinking 15 x 6.5 or 15 x 7 (subject to finding something I like)

I have read quite a few threads about going too wide impacting the handling, and that weight is a factor.

So my question is just what is the weight range - light, typical, heavy.

I am looking at OZ Racing Ultra Leggera Matt Black 15 x 7 wheels which weigh in at 4.99kg each.

Thoughts?

Goodwin sums it up nicely

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... d=XRvuvmMv

Thanks kazama,
Based on that website a recommended package is the "Advanti Racing Storm S1 15x7 Black MOUNTED AND BALANCED with NITTO NEOGEN 205/50/15". Since I posted I wandered up to the local Melbourne Bob Jane shop and the guy actually recommended this combination. He reckoned about $1200 all up.

That said, the www.good-win-racing.com website lists the Advanti Storm I at 10 lbs (4.5kg) per wheel; whereas the guy in Bob Jane was sure that the Advanti Storm weighed about 7kg. What The?

Maybe Bob Jane means with tires?

Im not sure on the weight of the wheel only but Iv been told from a forum member that the Advanti storm with tyres weighed the same or a little bit less then 6UL's with tyres. Both 15" So the Adanti's would be pretty light.

15x7 at less than 4.5kg...that is really light - approaching forged wheel territory. I'd say that is optimistic.

As for the Bob Jane estimation of 7kg, I doubt that includes tyres as that would mean the 205/50 15 tyre is 2.5kg...quite sure they are not that light.

But hey, weight of the wheel aside, tyre width will have a bigger impact. I de-powered my NB and when I then swapped from 205 to 195 tyres, the steering feel was significantly lighter and moe "chuckable". I just fitted 225s and can only assume they are going to be a bitch...haven't gone for a drive yet.

So I did the car jockey thing and got the MX5 out.

Surprisingly, with the 225s...it's not much "heavier" in steering feel at low speeds. Surprising because the Kumho KU36s at 205s felt much heavier. The 225s are Hankook RS3s. Not sure if that made a difference.

I also changed the wheels, going from 15x6.5 (at 5.5kg) to 15x8 Buddy Clubs, so I did expect a heavier feel at low speeds. Remember that my NB has power steering removed.

I have emailed Advanti to see what they say about weight of the 15 x 7 Storm S1, plus offset as well.

I found an interesting resource on Google Books people might find useful
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=RjNNPe60DrUC&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=mazda+mx5+miata+14%22+factor+wheel+weight&source=bl&ots=D3sSxUAJ1c&sig=9LvBgyfzgVN7svgM3iNr-oP-BYo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mCGAU4TXI8WqkwWn3YCgBA&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

Got a reply from Avanti.
"The weight of the 15x7 wheel is approx. 9.9 lbs. The offset available in that size is 35 – no other offsets available."

The advanti storm 1 and 2 are the cheapest/lightest wheels for the mx5. The stated weights are accurate. My dad and friends run them on their mx5s in the WA club sprint series and I've seen them take some sideways impacts into kerbs and gutters without a failure. If I wanted a 4th set of wheels or needed 1/10th of a second off my lap times I'd be all over a set.

Surprisingly unsprung wheel weight actually doesn't make as much difference as you think:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/B ... F/grm1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/B ... F/grm2.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/B ... F/grm3.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/B ... F/grm4.jpg

See my earlier comments except I did the reverse.

I've also spoken to a German tuner of performance Italian cars (hmmm...) and they made the same comment - wheel weights don't make as much difference as people like to think. The important difference is where the weight is on a wheel.