NEED ADVICE: Choosing aftermarket rims

[Boags]

(given that the car is setup for 15” originally).

Forget the change from 15" to 16". You can change the wheels and still have the same rolling diameter (or a very similar one) if you choose the right tyre width and offset.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Play with the calculator a bit and you'll be able to understand it better.

It sounds to me like you want a good looking rim that won't adversely affect the handling and will have a good range of tyres available. Without wanting to sound like Mr Morlock... The factory rims fit that description. Why not keep them? Paint them if you are looking for a bit of a change.

Whatever you decide; good luck, I hope it works out.

[SPy vs. SPy]

A picture is worth a thousand words, one with a calculator is worth another thousand

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

If you have a look at a few tyre web sites they will actually give you the physical dimensions of the tyre vs. whats on the sidewall, two different tyres will be physically different to each other in size about 98% of the time.

Also there's approx 6mm of wear (or 12mm across the diameter) on each and every tyre so the speedo is going to be inaccurate at some time or from the very first day the tyres are fitted.

Most cars speedos read fast by a few % regardless.

p.s. good on ya Bogus . . .

[wun911]

im also looking for a set of enkei rpf1 in 16" with correct offset and width...

[toymx5]

All of the wheels I posted pictures of are available from Jax Quickfit, they have stores everywhere, see the link below for a store near you.

http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/ByMap/tyr ... ey-NSW.htm

By the way, my speedo on my NB8A is spot on with the 205/45 16's.


Wun91, they have Enkei wheels too !

[BadBong]

Thanks guys, I might go there to have a look this weekend.

Now I'm not sure whether it's just the band-wagon effect but I've always had it in my mind that chain stores like these will have higher prices than other stores (i.e. Tempe).

Is that true?

If so, anyone knows any other good single stores in Syd (pref North) that has a good range of rims on show?

[Quicksilver]

Hi !

I've got a NB8a as well and have looked at every possible mag wheel out there, I'd definitely go the 16 x 7 and 205/45 tyre as well. For tyres I'd look at the Firestone Firehawks, I've had them on my last two cars including my NB8A in 205/45 and I think they're a great street tyre, especially in the wet plus they're only about $150. Also they have nice smooth sidewalls and look great with tyre shine !

Here's a couple of examples of wheels you may like !

speedy_edge 16 x 7.jpg

Anybody know anything about this Speedy Edge rim? Weight? Quality of finish? Cost?

[Jeo]

Speedy wheels are nothing special. I've got some on my NA at the moment and had some on my previous car too (both weren't that particular model). Never had any problems with them, just saw them as another cheap generic wheel.

[toymx5]

Hey Quicksilver,

Speedy Wheels are a quality wheel at a reasonable price, if you check their website you'll see they have a lifetime structural warranty and 5 year finish warranty. Unless you are going to race your car at a high level then weight is not a real issue, so many people on this forum are obsessed with wheel weights down to the last gram, it's rediculous. My old NA had Momo's which are probably the heaviest wheel around yet it handled incredibly and was the quickest of 8 MX-5's around Calder.

I'm not ure about the price of the Speedy's but I'm sure they'll be reasonable. If you like the look of them you should check them out, I think they'd look great !!

TOYMX-5

[BadBong]

Thanks Boags, unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of the looks on the stock rims and i really want a set of dark gery / dark bronze / black rims to coordinate the car (black top, gold body and black side skirts....)

I might start another topic just on suggestions of shops to go shop for Rims... seems like that's the logical next step given that i've now decided on going with 16" with Mazda tyre configuration (NB8B's).

Just one more thing... what happens if i put on some wheels that are +38 offset?...

[RG.net]

Thanks Boags, unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of the looks on the stock rims and i really want a set of dark gery / dark bronze / black rims to coordinate the car (black top, gold body and black side skirts....)

I might start another topic just on suggestions of shops to go shop for Rims... seems like that's the logical next step given that i've now decided on going with 16" with Mazda tyre configuration (NB8B's).

Just one more thing... what happens if i put on some wheels that are +38 offset?...

Stock offset is 40ish, so the lower you go (+38) the further out it comes from the hub and the closer it comes to the guard.

You could always paint the stock wheels black.

[toymx5]

BadBong,

+38 is fine, my NB8A is lowered 40 mm and I have 16 x 7 1/2 wheels that are +38 with 205/45/16 tyres and there's no clearance problems at all.

[RG.net]

BadBong,

+38 is fine, my NB8A is lowered 40 mm and I have 16 x 7 1/2 wheels that are +38 with 205/45/16 tyres and there's no clearance problems at all.

And on that note, you wont have clearance problems until you get into the low 20 high teens mark.

[BadBong]

Stock offset is 40ish, so the lower you go (+38) the further out it comes from the hub and the closer it comes to the guard.

You could always paint the stock wheels black.

??? I'd thought that the lower the offset the closer the rim would be to touching the 'inside' of the arc? (i.e. further away from the street side)...

*now i'm confused...

how would a +38 feel differently to +40 in real life scenarios? (not on the track)

[sliq]

Stock offset is 40ish, so the lower you go (+38) the further out it comes from the hub and the closer it comes to the guard.

You could always paint the stock wheels black.

??? I'd thought that the lower the offset the closer the rim would be to touching the 'inside' of the arc? (i.e. further away from the street side)...

*now i'm confused...

how would a +38 feel differently to +40 in real life scenarios? (not on the track)

the LOWER the offset... the more it would comes AWAY from the wheel hub..

38 and 40 is negligible

[Jeo]

how would a +38 feel differently to +40 in real life scenarios? (not on the track)

You'd notice a bigger difference if you had a passenger on board