Which wheel size/width and brand do I buy for my NA?

[booki89]

Hey all,

Currently hunting around for some nice deep dish wheels, but having never bought wheels before for a car, I am not really up to speed on what I should be looking for.

Was planning on going 15", from what I have read this is the ideal size for the NA MX-5?

What is the ideal width? 7.5,8,8.5,9?
Is there a preferred offset? some wheels I have taken a liking too are +25 offset from memory.

What would be the biggest tyre/wheel combo I can go without having to roll guards? I will have coilovers in if that makes a difference?

I don't want to go unnecessarily big just for that "stance" look (even though it looks awesome), the main purpose for wheels and tyres is to compliment the car and give me additional handling, not for looks.

Also does brand matter?

Am I better off importing tyres? In a perfect world, I would have this wheel and tyre combo for daily driving and track use. But if i need to retain my stock wheels for daily use only, it may be something I will have to consider.

[speed freak]

15x7 or 15x8 would be good. x8 you may need to roll gaurds though, not entirely sure.

If you want dish the Rota Grid Classic is a really nice wheel. Plenty more out there though, just search some brand names and have a look around.

Enkei, Konig, Rota, Rays, Work just to name a few lol

[sailaholic]

If you want handling you don't really want dish. So handling 15x8 +36 ish with 225/50 or 225/45. That won't require a guard roll either.


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[booki89]

Can you go into more detail why having that chrome lip (thats what i meant by dish), is detrimental to handling?

Recommend any places to buy wheels/tyres from?

[M1474]

Because your suspension geometry is designed to work with a high offset wheel.

Browse the forum and gumtree for used goodness.

[sailaholic]

Dish is generally referred to as having a decent lip.

Wide lips are created by less positive offsets (than factory). So +25 has more lip then +36.

Less positive offset increases the scrub radius (generally a poor change) changing how the car behaves, it also increase the track which can be beneficial. Explaining it all is a) beyond my ability b) complex enough to warrant books on suspension design.

More positive offset also generally allows for wider tires as your not running the rim as close to the guard.

Some wheels designs give more lip then others for the same offset. In this case effect on handling is the same.

The other key thing is wheel weight. Lighter but strong wheels are better for handling due to unsprung mass

Stock wheels are reasonably light for their size so you have to be careful not to go backwards. Small increases are great but if you love the wheels (like I do mine) then you can deal with it. Many wheels on the market are significantly heavier though.

Just so this isn't feeling like its coming from a hater. I run 15x7 watanabies +23 on the front and +17 rear. They aren't light (like a enki rpf1 or 6ul or some Konig) but not that much heavier then stock either. I know they aren't the wheels that will make the car handle the best but they are exactly what I wanted before I even bought my car. So I accept the compromise.

I made the above advice based on your desire for best handling rims.




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[booki89]

If you want handling you don't really want dish. So handling 15x8 +36 ish with 225/50 or 225/45. That won't require a guard roll either.


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Wow, you can squeeze a 225 on there without a guard roll? Hmmm, I guess a +25mm offset would need one?

Thanks alot for the info so far fellas!

Really helps alot to try and make a informed decision, other then just deciding on what looks good

[sailaholic]

Yup 15x8 +36 can run a 225/45 with out a roll. I believe 225/50 fits as well as manga blue runs them (but on a 7" rim due to class rules).

All depends on your ride height to of course but I assume your not planning on running the chassis rails on the ground.


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[booki89]

Yup 15x8 +36 can run a 225/45 with out a roll. I believe 225/50 fits as well as manga blue runs them (but on a 7" rim due to class rules).

All depends on your ride height to of course but I assume your not planning on running the chassis rails on the ground.


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Maybe if im feeling silly ha ha ha. But unlikely.

Hmmm, I may need to look into class rules, I plan on going into the mx5 vic club sprint championships. As that may effect my purchase.

[sailaholic]

Defiantly look at class rules then.


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[Magpie]

17" x 10" with stretched 195 tires

Or 15x7 +38 offset with 205's

[rascal]

Hmmm, I may need to look into class rules, I plan on going into the mx5 vic club sprint championships. As that may effect my purchase.

Vic Club rules can be found here (http://mx5vic.org.au/motorsport/championship-rules/)

To summarize,
- Standard NA class, max rim width is 7", max tyre is 195. No R specs allowed. (list of tyres can be found following link above)
- Clubman Class, max rim width is 7.5", max tyre is 205. No R specs allowed
- All higher classes have no width limits other than top of rim must fit under wheel arch as viewed from above.

[trader]

Okay now what would be the legal max width on an NA? 15 inch is probably the max dia?

[booki89]

Pretty sure you can go up 2" up on what ever the car was designed with

[booerns]

NSW says 1" up from stock dependant on wheel track increase too.

FYI I run 15x8+25 with 205/50R15 with rolled guards and not a single bit of scrub

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