17" wheel for an NB?

Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres questions and answers

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Silvia
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17" wheel for an NB?

Postby Silvia » Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:13 pm

Is there a 17" wheel from another model that fits onto a NB 2002 for 45 series tyres without modification?
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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby nbse2 » Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:19 pm

From my experience I would probably avoid installing 17inch wheels on an NB especially if you end up installing 40 series profile tryres. They ride terribly on normal rode surfaces.

If you do decide to purchase 17 inch ensure that you buy the lightest wheels that you can afford with appropriate offset for the NB. (use the stats for the Mazdaspeed rims on the SE as a baseline)

There is plenty of technical guidance on rims on the forum.

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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby Silvia » Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:59 pm

I had noticed that the new Toybaru 86 has 215/45 17" with Michelins on it and it's said to have a very good ride......?
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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby sailaholic » Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:03 pm

more sidewall in a 215/45 than a 205/45. Suspension design is also different.

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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby Hjt » Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:27 pm

I had noticed that the new Toybaru 86 has 215/45 17" with Michelins on it and it's said to have a very good ride......?


It's also NOT a nb Mx5 :D

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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby Steampunk » Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:33 pm

Are you kidding?
http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=51038&start=60

Silvia wrote:I had noticed that the new Toybaru 86 has 215/45 17" with Michelins on it and it's said to have a very good ride......?


This is a brilliant inference, comparing a >10 year-old 2-seat convertible with state-of-the-art tech coupe.
Image

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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby Silvia » Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:28 am

So you're saying the new 2+2 sportscar is better than the MX5?
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Lokiel
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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby Lokiel » Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:37 am

Silvia wrote:Is there a 17" wheel from another model that fits onto a NB 2002 for 45 series tyres without modification?


The SE/MSM came out with factory 17" rims that weighed in at a hefty 8KGs each. Their low profile combined with the hard SE/MSM suspension meant that the ride was incredibly hard - if you hit a pothole you knew it and would swear that you'd just bent your rim.

Many SE/MSM owners here and in the US, including myself, have upgraded to lighter 15"rims and would never go back to the factory boat anchors.

17" rims on an NA/NB are purely for Wank value, they diminish your car's handling and the ride is atrocious - spend your money elsewhere.
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hks_kansei
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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby hks_kansei » Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:38 am

Silvia wrote:So you're saying the new 2+2 sportscar is better than the MX5?


No, it may be better at being comfortable and be better at being designed to use larger wheels.
They are 2 completely different cars and designs.

Roll Royce nowadays roll on 20 inch wheels and give an amazingly comfortable ride.
But if you put the same wheels onto an NB MX5 it would be hideous to drive.

Car designers make compromises, if there's less give in the tyre sidewall they can use a softer spring rate to make it more comfortable.
Conversely, they can use a stiffer spring rate with a high profile tyre and likely get the same ride comfort.


Suspension design, wheel size, tyre size, comfort, handling, etc are all linked.
If you change one thing, the others are often affected.



I know a guy who bought a new shirt, he's size S, he said it's really comfortable.
If I buy a size S shirt will it be as comfortable on me? (completely ignoring the fact that most of my shirts are L or XL and that we're completely different people)
Last edited by hks_kansei on Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby Hjt » Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:39 am

So you're saying the new 2+2 sportscar is better than the MX5?


Don't go off topic, lols.

You clearly cannot make your mind up between 15, 16 and 17 inch wheels. The information we give you (have previously given you) clearly wasn't sufficient enough to come to a decision, so why bother now?

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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby timk » Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:41 am

I never found 17" wheels to be that bad even on the 40 profile tyres. I have fairly soft springs though (6 & 5kg/mm front/rear).

Tyres I have tried are Toyo R28, Falken RT615, Federal 595RS and Toyo R888, all in 205/40R17.

15" wheels are more compliant due to bigger profiles I guess, but I'd still rock either.

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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby NitroDann » Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:59 am

Silvia.

Shhh.

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Lokiel
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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby Lokiel » Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:32 am

Hjt wrote:
:
You clearly cannot make your mind up between 15, 16 and 17 inch wheels. The information we give you (have previously given you) clearly wasn't sufficient enough to come to a decision, so why bother now?


I assume Silvia is one of those people that NEEDS to learn the "hard way", no matter what anyone says they just wont listen to sound advice.

Silvia, stop procrastinating, buy some 17" Racing Hart rims from an SE/MSM and experience their crappiness for yourself.
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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby Silvia » Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:53 am

Quite the opposite. To prevent "learning the hard way" , as many did I notice, I tend to ask advice from the learned ones here.....
Sadly some take offence when I don't rush out and act on their advice......then along comes contradictory advice, as above, and I know why it pays not to act too hastily...
Thankfully others , like Lockiel can usually be relied on for helpful responses that lend the forum some credibility.... :D
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Re: 17" wheel for an NB?

Postby project.r.racing » Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:49 am

17x7 with offset between 42 and 48 should fit without issue. tyre shops or online wheel/offset/tyre calculators will help you if prepare to get a measuring tape out.


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