Tyre / wheel recommendation please

[Noddycar]

Hi Morlock....

One thing I plan on doing is getting the suspension checked while I am tyre shopping.... The tyres need to go anyway (not much tread left), but I guess my main question is whether I should change down from my 16" mags, while I am doing the tyre change.

While I appreciate the feedback on tyre types (it is good to get feedback from people who are actually using a specific tyre), the whole wheel size debate is one that I feel is most important. If I will get no comfort change from the rims (unless my current rims are out of shape), then I would be best to change only the tyres. I don't mind how the car handles, as although it does have a tendency to track a little, the cornering is fantastic. What I am getting is a lot of road noise and quite a bit of feedback. I know this can be related to wheel balance, poor tyre wear and alignment, poor suspension. The whole alignment and balance issue should be sorted when the car goes in for new tyres.

What I guess I really needed answered was:
* 16" rims - keep or replace, if the current rims are in good order? Is it worth the expense of changing down to 14" or 15", if the current rims are OK? The consensus seems to be that a narrower rim will improve the ride, but will it actuallt affect ride comfort, or just handling?
* Tyres - what recommendations on model for best combination of ride and handling? I think I probably have enough recommendations to answer this, although all opinions are appreciated.

Sorry to make a simple question so complicated...

[Noddycar]

Following on from this, am I just best to stick with these rims and fit something like a PP2 with a different profile (eg. 205/50 or 205/55) instead of the 205/45? Would this increase ride comfort? I guess the other question is whether these will fit OK.....

[broady]

If you want your car to look like a 4WD and throw out the speedo, sure!

[Noddycar]

Ahhhh - now that is something I didn't even think about (effect on speedo - not the 4WD ). That is why I am on this forum - to learn from all the people who know the stuff that I would not even think of.....

Bigger wheel PLUS deeper profile = speeding tickets, because the speedo will read low. Thanks Broady - I must confess that I had not even thought of that.

OK - 14" it is! Decision is made. Hopefully I can find some genuine wheels, but if I can't, I will ask around for a good quality light rim to match. Now that I have some tyre suggestions, I need to ensure I get the correct size wheel (14 x ?) and the best tyre size match.

Thanks again everyone.

[Guran]

Check this: http://www.miata.net/faq/wheel_weights.html
(one more time for fatty )

You need 14X5.5 or 14x6. If you're buying no-name wheels, don't get anything that weighs more than the stock wheels (5-6kg each). Heavy wheels increase the unsprung mass, which deteriorates the handling.

[broady]

Not only that, but with wheels, it's rotational mass! Most of the weight is in the rim, so once you go to a bigger diameter wheel, you immediately have more rotational mass, even if the actual weight stays the same.

[Okibi]

I wouldn't spend any time looking at 14s, I'd go a 15" (MX5 centre has the yummy 6UL wheels cheap cheap), i'm pretty sure there's a much larger range (and availability) of 15" tyres over 14.

I have NB8A 15" wheels on both my NA6 and NB. (I did have a set of 17" rims for a stage but they didn't handle as well as the stock rims).

[Noddycar]

Wow. I've learnt more about wheels and tyros in the last week than I have in the last 20 years.... I am about to visit MX5 Plus, as I have a rare day off work. I've just spent an hour arguing with a car dealer about whether a minor leak in a head gasket is a warranty item.... Time for some retail therapy (hey, if my wife can do it, so can I).

Thanks heaps. It looks like there is some debate over 14/15" still, so I will ask the guys at MX5 Plus for their deciding vote

[Fatty]

pssst, here's a little tip for ya. nmx516 is selling a set of nb8a wheels for $300, and he's in brisbane

send him a private message (pm), he posted earlier in this thread.

[Noddycar]

Wink wink, nudge nudge . Thanks for the tip... Shall do!

[Wivvix]

Honestly, in terms of ride quality you won't notice any difference between 14 and 15".

I've been on 17s, 16s, 15s and 14s. 17s are horrible/anchors. 16s aren't as bad (lightweights) but looks funny on a stock NA. 15 is perfect, ride is comfy and handling is neutral, nimble and precise. 14s basically identical to 15s, slightly thicker sidewall but negligible impact on ride quality, tho tyre looks massive on 14" daisies.

I settled with 15s. If I was putting on tyres today i'd be going with Michelin PS3's. Avoid Pirelli's like the plague, and if you do try Yoko's (but I wouldn't advise it) get S drives at least.

Have a look here for stock wheel weights. Ideally whatever you replace with, you want it to be 13lb or lighter. I went with Enkei RPF1's 15x7, which weigh just under 10lb each. The 949 6UL wheels are very nice and light too. Have a look at them here.

[Noddycar]

Thanks Wivvix

I spoke to a gentleman at an MX5 specialist this afternoon, who told me that the NB series 15" alloys were prone to denting etc.... I have received a lot of conflicting information, but I am confident I will be fitting new 14 or 15" wheels (everyone seems to be pushing one of this sizes and you know your vehicles)... We do a lot of business through our local Goodyear dealer, so I called him and asked his opinion. He told me to bring the car in so he could check suspension and alignment etc, but when we discussed new wheels, he told me that the MX-5 had quite specific requirements to ensure a good ride. . They don't stock Michelin tyres, but he will bring them in for me. As PS3's seem to be the weapon of choice for many on this forum, that's what I will be asking for. He also suggested a light wheel and immediately started talking offset etc to suit the MX-5, so I am confident he is on the right track. He wants to check the suspension and steering first, then will discuss new wheels and tyres. He said 15" will give me a better range of rubber to choose from, as most of the better tyres are available in 15" versions. Basically, he confirmed everything that has been said here, so I thank you all for increasing my knowledge...

I have booked the car in for a check-up on Wednesday. I'll have a chat with my man at Goodyear, knowing that he has echoed the thoughts of people on this forum. It makes me a lot more comfortable leaving a lot of the decisions up to him...... When I have a decision and have fitted the new gear, I'll post the specs.

Thanks again. Now, to deal with that pesky leak at the back of the motor....

[Noddycar]

Well, finally got some new wheels and tyres and could not be happier.... Those that said it would feel like a new car were defnitely correct. I went with 15" rims and a slightly higher profile, which has improved the ride immensely without affecting cornering. Road noise has reduced immensely (still get the noise through the soft top ), so I am pleased with the result.

Thanks again for all the advice.

(pic attached of the new wheels)

[Guran]

Which tyres and size did you end up with?

Road noise wasn't something you mentioned earlier but this often has a lot to do with the tread pattern. For example, I once bought a set of Falken FK452 for our family car based on magazine reviews. They had nice grip alright, but they were intolerably noisy and I couldn't wait to replace them! There was an aweful harmonic hum at 40km/hr and again at 80km/hr which I did not hear with the OEM tyres (Pirelli P7) or the set I have now (Bridgestone RE001). They don't talk about this much in magazine tests of tyres.

[Noddycar]

Hi. I got YHI Demon 15 x 6.5 wheels, topped off with Goodyear 195/50/R15 Assurance tyres.... I was not so sure about the tyres, as they are marketed towards "family cars", but they handle surprisingly well. I really have not noticed any loss of handling around corners, but the ride is definitely a lot smoother and there is less road noise. The guy at Goodyear has been dealing with us for a long time and suggested these would go well on my MX-5 and he was right. Maybe a set of PS3's would have been better, but I doubt I could tell the difference. I still noticed even minor road variations a lot more than I do in my new car, but I suspect this is just a fact of life in a 17 year old sports car. It is certainly heaps better than before the wheel/tyre change and it is not trying to drive itself in a straight line all the time.