MX5 as therapy

ozimax · Postby **ozimax** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:08 pm

Lokiel wrote:... seriously though, please borrow a set of 15" rims for a test drive to experience the difference for yourself, you may think the car handles/drives great now but it's massively better with appropriately-sized rims/tyres, especially if your road surfaces are anything other than perfectly smooth.

The man of mystery has appeared on my thread. I am honoured.

Seriously, yes, I will try and get some 15s. The bloke who sold me the car said as much before he even handed over the keys. I'm not sure what happened to the original wheels? Anyway, it is on the to-do list, which leads to another question: If decent OEM wheels cannot be found in reasonable time, what 15" aftermarket wheels would you recommend for the NA? I suppose the sky is the limit, without ,of course, breaking a skinny budget.

I have enjoyed reading through some of your modifying Gina thread. Incredible work. Serious modding for me is changing the windscreen wiper blades. Each to his own!

Regards,

Ozi

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:30 pm

Having a set of original wheels even if not on the car is probably a good thing to do. The best thing to do is drive the car regularly and work out if things need to be changed. I have a sporty but legal exhaust and yet a number of mates run standard exhausts.

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 2:20 pm

ozimax wrote:.......which leads to another question: If decent OEM wheels cannot be found in reasonable time, what 15" aftermarket wheels would you recommend for the NA? I suppose the sky is the limit, without ,of course, breaking a skinny budget.

Up on eBay now (not sure if the sale has finished or not) but these might be suitable for your needs....

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=64971

ozimax · Postby **ozimax** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 3:36 pm

Nevyn72 wrote:
ozimax wrote:.......which leads to another question: If decent OEM wheels cannot be found in reasonable time, what 15" aftermarket wheels would you recommend for the NA? I suppose the sky is the limit, without ,of course, breaking a skinny budget.

Up on eBay now (not sure if the sale has finished or not) but these might be suitable for your needs....

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=64971

Many thanks. Will have a gander.

speed · Postby **speed** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:50 pm

My car had 17s when purchased. Now rolling on 15s. Purchased some new ssw wheels and tyres for $1,000 they are light weight and you notice an increase in acceleration and they provide more comfort too

2nd hand NA/nb wheels can be picked up for a few hundred in the classified section

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:56 pm

Hi Ozi,
It has started already

. There is a set of 16" NB wheels and tyres in the classifieds ATM. When you change your wheels be mindful that you will need a front and rear alignment.
Greg.

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 7:17 pm

NB8A wheels are great - light weight (very important), strong, and plenty of quality tyres made in that size.

The NB8B wheels are a pretty good wheel, but limited selection of quality tyres for that size.

If you're looking to buy new, Enkei RPF1's are the benchmark wheel to aim for - light weight, strong, and correct offsets available.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 8:05 pm

There is no problem with tyres for 16in wheels to suit NB P2. It almost looks like a solution to a problem that does not exist. An MX5 can be dríven and enjoyed which Ozi seems to have noticed. What is also a test is to see if the enthusiasm actually lasts for the longer term.

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 8:45 pm

NB8B tyres are 205/45/16. The fact is, this size is not made in near as many models of tyre as many other sizes, particularly for performance oriented tyres. And when you do find some good tyres in that size, they are more costly than a 195/50/15 (NB8A size) of the same model and spec of tyre would be.

I've bought a few sets of 205/45/16 Michelin PP2/3's over the years, usually at about $300 per tyre. The 195/50/15 of these has always been at least $100 less per tyre.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:13 pm

There are similar issues with some of the 17" tyres, particularly regarding run flat tyres (horrible things).
Greg.

ozimax · Postby **ozimax** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 9:07 am

Thank you all for the advice. I'm just getting some moolah together and then I'll look at some 15s. New would be nice but I think a decent set of OEM rims would be fine too. I'll keep you posted.

ozimax · Postby **ozimax** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:52 am

As a follow up, I've come across a set of Mazda NB 15" wheels and tyres (195s) in Sydney. They should fit the bill. Unfortunately I just had a hernia op 36 hrs ago and I'm not doing too well ATM. If they're still there in another week I might run down to Sydney and collect them. Fingers crossed.

fastfreddygassit · Postby **fastfreddygassit** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 10:57 am

best of luck, from all of us here, with your post-op recovery :beer:

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 10:59 am

Little steps Ozi, a week is not going to long enough.
Take care and best.
Greg.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:46 am

NB8 15" are a good option - perhaps worth you organising with E-go transport to ship them to your door, or to their closest depot to you (25% discount), as it would probably be around the same as your fuel costs, or perhaps even cheaper. Wishing you a speedy recovery!