18'' rims on a MX5

Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres questions and answers

Moderators: timk, Stu, zombie, Andrew, -alex, miata

phatR
Driver
Posts: 38
Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:37 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Perth, WA

18'' rims on a MX5

Postby phatR » Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:48 am

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

User avatar
JBT
Speed Racer
Posts: 7946
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NC
Location: Brisbane

Postby JBT » Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:05 am

Apart from legality issues, you'll probably ruin the car's dynamics with all the extra mass and licorice strip tyres.
Image

manga_blue
Forum Guru
Posts: 4897
Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:27 pm
Vehicle: NA8
Location: Moruya, NSW

Postby manga_blue » Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:45 am

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.
’95 NA8

User avatar
AB7
Racing Driver
Posts: 637
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:42 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Melbourne

Postby AB7 » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:17 pm

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.

User avatar
ducktape69
Racing Driver
Posts: 997
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:57 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Sydney....Westside

Postby ducktape69 » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:38 pm

if they come in 4x100...those 18x7.5 should fit without any rolling needed... is ur car lowered at all?
BLECK 2002 Mazda MX5 NB8B. Custom Heatshielded CAI . KYB AGX's + King Springs. 17\" Bleck Rims. Custom BASSSS Install.

User avatar
Benny
Speed Racer
Posts: 2607
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NB SP
Location: Gorgeous Sydney
Contact:

Postby Benny » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:53 pm

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.
Image
ALWAYS RUNNING, SP with Bilstein Coil Overs and Doof Doof sound. Member of the Fat Bastards Racing Team

User avatar
Garry
Speed Racer
Posts: 3481
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NB SP
Location: God's Country
Contact:

Postby Garry » Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:05 pm

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:
Shiney black one with added red bits. Member of the fart club. Now with extra doof and Sunlong. - deceased and gone to heaven

User avatar
JBT
Speed Racer
Posts: 7946
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NC
Location: Brisbane

Postby JBT » Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:02 pm

I'm not so sure......... :roll:
Image

User avatar
16bit
Speed Racer
Posts: 2346
Joined: Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:51 pm
Vehicle: NB8A - Supercharged
Location: Brisbane Southside

Postby 16bit » Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:13 pm

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.

phatR
Driver
Posts: 38
Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:37 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Perth, WA

Re:

Postby phatR » Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:30 pm

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

User avatar
16bit
Speed Racer
Posts: 2346
Joined: Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:51 pm
Vehicle: NB8A - Supercharged
Location: Brisbane Southside

Postby 16bit » Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:05 pm

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.

phatR
Driver
Posts: 38
Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:37 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Perth, WA

Re:

Postby phatR » Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:28 pm

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

User avatar
Andy Wana
Fast Driver
Posts: 362
Joined: Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:16 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Sydney, Australia

Postby Andy Wana » Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:18 pm

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 ♥ asymmetry

Caedrus

Postby Caedrus » Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:48 pm

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.

GP
Racing Driver
Posts: 1025
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:42 am
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Brisbane

Postby GP » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:13 pm

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.
Graham


Return to “MX5 Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 335 guests