Wheels - Beginner question

[Benjamonk]

I'm going to look at a Mk1 MX5 tomorrow - It has 16" wheels apparently. Firstly, they are truly horrible so will need to be replaced ASAP.

Secondly, I fear 16" wheels are really too big and will compromise the 5's handling to some degree?

A) Do people agree with me on that

and

B) How do I go about selecting new wheels. I've read 14" or 15" wheels are much more suited to the MX5. My problem is I don't understand all this stuff about offsets etc.... How do I figure out the correct wheels to buy?

I may at some point widen the track, fit some wider arches (just for a laugh) do I need consider this in my wheel choice right now?

Thanks for any replies.

B

[Evangelion]

MX-5 wheels need to be 4 x 100 stud pattern with 38mm (some tolerance permitted here) offset. Bore size I am fairly sure is 54.1mm although I have seen it quoted as 64.1 in some places. (A larger bore size is permitted on the wheel as you can use spigot rings to reduce it, but if it's too small the wheel won't go on, and enlarging it would probably be too costly.)

16 inch wheels would allow you to use lower profile tyres - have a look on the net and you'll find loads of fitment guides, diameter calculators and the like.

ETA - here for example:

http://www.alloywheels.com/search.asp?numrecordpos... et35,4x100 et37,4x100 et38,4x100 et40,4x100 et42,4x100 et45,4x100/54-1 et45&strSort=Low&Make=Mazda&Model=MX5 4 Stud

Edited by Evangelion on Friday 26th February 19:54

[Furyblade_Lee]

HANDLING: Just remember like any car, especially lightweight ones, if you are going to the expense of NEW wheels then consider how heavy they are. Unsprung weight (the wheel and hub) needs to be kept as light as possible so the suspension can react as fast as possible. Some aftermarket wheels are truly shocking in their weight, likewise some motorsport-derived 16" or even 17" wheels are lighter than stock 14"s even when tyres are fitted. I am no expert on MX5s but having driven lightweight kitcars back-to-back with between 14 and 17" wheels the difference is amazing in how the car reacts to bumps and tramlining ect. I would imagine on a lightweight MK1 anything bigger than a 15" and too wide will ruin the handling and balance. They will look good though!

[MX7]

I had 17" with 205/40 tyres. It gave a very poor ride, and now that I've got 15", I don't think that the 17"s improved the handling.

I'd go for 15". My impression that the tyre choice is greater, and cheaper. The ride is also much better with 195/50/15s.

[skinny]

i think 14's are ideal for a mk1 unfortunately, the tyres are expensive and the range limited in this size. they also lack a little response of the lower profile tyres unless you're talking toyo R888 or something.

so i'd go 15. best compromise of lowest cost, good looks, tyre availability, and handling.

[Benjamonk]

Thanks for the advice chaps.

I actually didn't like the car with 16" wheels as it turned out.... So I bought a very tidy 1.8 Eunos Roadster in black, which has 14" BBS wheels. They're in REALLY nice condition so i'll keep them and the new-ish tires for a while I think. When I need new tires i'll get some 15" rota rb's maybe...

Can't wait to pick it up next week now!