Max size of wheels

[meanmx]

Well greg it sounds like you want some serious responses.

All I have to say is that if you enjoy actually driving your mx5, then you're better off reconsidering 17's, 18's at the absolute most.
In my opinion 17's totally screw with the handling on an NA, 18s would be abominable, 19s would be ridiculous but fine for a show car, but the impracticality of having painted on tyres on street roads, well you'd be replacing the wheels in 6mo-1yr if it's a daily driver.

What wheel size are you running at the moment? 17s look nice but yeh, they make the car behave much more clumsy, sorta like walking around in clogs...

Makes me believe you haven't actually dríven a 5 on 17's. A few people who actually have will tell you that reasonably light weight 17" wheels are not so bad handling wise. In fact I can't say that I have been on many club runs where I have been out cornered by someone with the same skill level which according to everyone must happen because I have 17's. Now chromies are a different matter completely. Tried chromies for a bit and couldn't wait to get rid of them.

Now to the original posters questions-the largest I have seen on an NA is 18's and that was only one I have ever seen. I think you are going to have a hard time trying to find an answer to this question as they don't seem to go any larger than 16" here. I can't see a reason why 19's wont fit with the right offset but I don't think you will be able to get the car very low over them. If you do them please send me a pic as I have often contemplated doing this. And you're right, there is a lack of forebearence on this forum for different styles but they are nice guys and generally mean well as long as you don't push the boundaries. I mean why else would someone buy an MX5 apart from handling, couldn't be because it is a good looking convertable could it????

Ben

[Matty]

I'm guessing that most people around here haven't been around long enough to know/have met Greg. He's quite familiar with MX-5s and their handling, and has turned in some fairly handy lap times too. And he's been nice enough to clearly state his goals (ie, street, looks).

Honestly I don't know if the tyres will fit. 215 as a width is fine (guys in the US are running 225s and 245s without much issue - but the offset has to be just right...)

But the overall diameter in combination with that might be an issue, particularly on an NA (NBs have a bit more clearance). Just because you can lower the coilovers doesn't help if the tyre is rubbing the guard.

[bigdog]

Ok, this is what the tire size calculator tells us:

Current Tire New Tire Difference
Diameter inches (mm) 23.26 (590.9) 24.08 (611.6) 0.82 (20.7) 3.5%
Width inches (mm) 8.07 (205) 8.46 (215) 0.39 (10) 4.8%
Circumference inches (mm) 73.09 (1856.37) 75.65 (1921.4) 2.56 (65.03) 3.5%
Sidewall Height inches (mm) 3.63 (92.25) 2.54 (64.5) -1.09 (-27.75) -30%
Revolutions per mile (km) 866.93 (538.36) 837.59 (520.14) -29.34 (-18.22) -3.4%

So it looks dooable to my inexperienced eye. I would cut a plywood disc the right diameter and bolt it up on the front and check your clearances. As you've said you're not concerned with handling, just looks and basic driveability this would be the easiest way to assess the situation.

[Wivvix]

Makes me believe you haven't actually dríven a 5 on 17's. A few people who actually have will tell you that reasonably light weight 17" wheels are not so bad handling wise. In fact I can't say that I have been on many club runs where I have been out cornered by someone with the same skill level which according to everyone must happen because I have 17's. Now chromies are a different matter completely. Tried chromies for a bit and couldn't wait to get rid of them. And you're right, there is a lack of forebearence on this forum for different styles.

Breaking News: Recent study suggests people have differing opinions!

I've dríven NA's on 14s, 15s, 16s, and 17s. I also own full sets of 14's, 15's and 17's which i've swapped several times over the past 6 months. It's a matter of personal taste, and how you expect the car to drive/feel especially through corners and such. I didn't say anywhere that driving with a particular size wheel/tyre would have the effect of reducing cornering capability, I just said I personally don't like how the NA feels on 17s. It doesn't feel as poised as on 185/195's.

Greg isn't talking about 17" though anyway, he's talking about 19". Sure it might be physically possible to fit 19's, but to someone who appreciates the handling of an mx5 on 14's or 15's, its going to drive and feel VERY different on 19s. The wheels might look good to his eye but unless he's got some high end suspension kit, it'll be a pretty harsh ride.

Lack of forbearance for different styles? That's rich considering you're pretty intolerant yourself of differing, yet valid opinions.

[Mr_Q]

Lets face it, the MX5 at the best of times is not a good looking sports car

Are you sure it's an MX5 you're talking about here?

As for the rims - you should be able to squeeze 19" rims in there, but it really won't be a car you'll want to drive much. "Uncomfortable" will take on a whole new meaning.

[Fatty]

without knowing your background or experience, we can only offer as much information as possible to try and help you make a good, informed decision.

you may not like some of the answers, or the humour that goes along with it, but hey at least we're trying to be helpful.

sounds like you've got a pretty nice race car there, sorry for going OT but you got any pics of it? sounds like a beast.

[Hellmun]

I'm currently trying 225/50/15's on the track. They're dunlop D01J's and they're on +36 offset wheels. With camber and the guards rolled they fit. Those are 1.2 inches taller than standard and I got them to fit on an NB8B. Those should be much worse than what your suggesting and it didn't cause much trouble to get them to fit.

[16bit]

i have a set of 225 50 15s aswell. I have cut guards though so should not be that much of a drama. either way its you car do as you wish I still stand by that its a bad idea.

[Matty]

Lets face it, the MX5 at the best of times is not a good looking sports car...

Not with a Veilside kit, anyway!

You might find some answers on miataforum, but I suspect you'll have to wade through a lot of the same "OMG too heavy/handling/too big/won't someone please think of the children!" type responses.

[wun911]

Soz I dont know how you got the numbers but can some one tell me the standard size of SE with the 17" rims??

[meanmx]

I didn't say anywhere that driving with a particular size wheel/tyre would have the effect of reducing cornering capability

In my opinion 17's totally screw with the handling on an NA

hmmmmm

Lack of forbearance for different styles? That's rich considering you're pretty intolerant yourself of differing, yet valid opinions.

That's funny considering I have one of the most individual cars in this place. Besides which you aren't offering a different opinion you are just regurgitating the same thing I have heard from a million other people on here over the last 2 1/2 years when talk turns to larger than 16" on an NA. I wasn't personally having a go at you anyway about lack of forbearance, just the general forum theme. Sorry if you took it that way. Personally I can't wait to see 19's on an NA but that's the autosalon side of me coming out

Ben

[Fatty]

i know this is one of those topics that gets meanmx hot under the collar, as he's had more than his fair share of comments about his larger wheels.

i have dríven fatfreddy's car on 17's and i must admit i was surprised at how well it handled. i guess it comes down to the weight of the wheels, everyone assumes big wheels are going to be very heavy but that's not always the case. also, his car has power steering. with my car, wth no power steering, even my 16's were too heavy for day to day driving. and they were pretty light (for their size) too. in my case the oem na8 clubman 14's have proven to be the best rim for my car, after trying about 5 different options.

anyway it's not my intention to start the debate up again... this post is more along the lines of... can't we all just get along?

for example, meanmx's car is just about polar opposite to what i have done to my car. we both have done a lot of mods to our cars, but just with a different goal in mind. it doesn't change the fact that he is one of the guys i have the most respect for, and the most admiration for his car.

and i know he was scratching his head and thinking "wtf?" when i fitted the manual window winders to my car, but he respects my goals , even tho they are different to his own. we seem to have a mutual respect even tho our cars are so completely different.

so greg, please stick around. we all have different goals with our cars but at the end of the day we're all just trying to help each other out.

ok, group hug everyone, ok?

[bensale]

EDIT: Great post fatty, considered not posting this after reading. Although I think you are a bit of a wuss bitching about 16's for daily driving

As the rolling diameter of the wheel is similar to what other people are running I would doubt that you'ld have too many issues fitting them, as people have said you may have to roll the guards. If you can mock it up would be a good move.

I've read posts where people have said na6's on 16's handle like rubbish, are slow, don't do it, etc. And really in my opinion its not a huge difference as long as the wheels are still relitivly light, in my opinion you retain most of the handing brilliance of the car, just loosing a bit of feedback and response. 19's on the other hand may not be quite so good in this regard, but as handling its not your reason for having the car, why worry.

If they fit and you can put up with the ride quality and the handling aspects of them. The only issue I see is the legality, I thought you weren't meant to go up more than 2', although I may be wrong. I look forward to seeing what they look like, love it or loath them, it'll definetly be different..

Although I disagree and think that the mx5 looks fantastic, on 14's or otherwise.

[wun911]

I think some of the volk 18" probably weigh the same as the heavy OEM 16".
Then wrap your volk 18" with some 30 profile rubber, less peripheral rotational mass.

[bigdog]

Soz I dont know how you got the numbers but can some one tell me the standard size of SE with the 17" rims??

SE 17" 205/40x17 tyres = 595.63mm diameter - so only 16.5mm difference to the 19's Greg is proposing.

One thing to beware of Greg - different brands can differ in height quite a bit despite being nominally 30 profile (hoosier race tyres are notorious for this. Their 60 profile is generally close to 45 profile on other brands). Always check the manufacturer's spec sheet before purchase when size is critical.

And well said Fatty... we're here to help each other regardless of our tastes. Those who have been around here for a while can remember lots of 'out there' mods which were not to the taste of many, but in the end it's your car to do with as you wish. I think that the only time we have the 'right' to be really critical of a proposal is when mods threaten the basic safety of the driver/passenger, and I can't remember anyone suggesting something downright dangerous in the time I've been around (except maybe the Gold Coast's wingzzz sauce )