Wheel Size

GP · Postby GP » Tue Aug 23, 2011 3:35 pm

I know this quetion has been asked before but cannot find what I'm looking for in the search.
I've nearly finished painting the 5 and I feel that it's going to be let down by the wheels.
What is the max legal size I can go to on my NA6, 6.5" or 7"?
How much can I increase the tyre diameter, 1"?
I would like to put some 205's on it

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 3:47 pm

Put on 15x7 with 205's on it, pretty sure it's legal. But keep in mind that nobody ever gets booked on wheel width, cops only seem to go for diameter unless you have poke or stance.
It's one of those things that are illegal but you'd be very unlucky if someone ever pulled you up. But think about it, worst case scenario they will just defect you, they can't fine you.
All that means is put some stock wheels on and drive to the nearest traffic authority and get it cleared, takes about 10mins and costs you nothing. Then go home and put your good wheels back on!

GP · Postby GP » Tue Aug 23, 2011 4:17 pm

Thanks Nanotech, The 15 x 7's sound good. The next thing is offset, Would I be looking for +25?

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 4:36 pm

MX-5 suspension geometry is designed for high-offset wheels. Personally I'd be looking for something in about +35 and lightweight, like Enkei RPF1's or 949 6UL's.

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:12 pm

True but if you're looking for something prettier and willing to trade of the almost negligible difference in handling, then +20 would sit good.
Google 15x7 +20 Miata and you could come up with a few results of fitment.

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:07 pm

I’d say it’s true that practically nobody ever gets booked for it and that the worst you can get from the police/rta is a defect, however your insurance can choose not to pay if you have an illegal/unroadworthy vehicle. Again it’s probably not something to worry about as it probably wouldn’t happen, but it is certainly something to be aware of. Check with your state body as to what constitutes legal.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:20 pm

Few good posts by Charlie Brown & others in this recent thread:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=47936

drkkos · Postby **drkkos** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:06 pm

These are mainly stanced mx5's, but will give you an idea of fitment
http://www.rimtuck.com/thumbnails.php?v ... del=Miata&

Depends what you want and what look, if you want to fill the guards I'm pretty sure 15x7 with 25 offset should be fine.
I have test fitted 16x8 with +20/25 and I would of needed to roll my guard.
Now don't forget it also depends on tyres too and how much tyre you are going to run.

As said above, you wont get defected unless you have poke outta the guard or ridiculous camber.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:04 am

GP wrote:I know this quetion has been asked before but cannot find what I'm looking for in the search.
I've nearly finished painting the 5 and I feel that it's going to be let down by the wheels.
What is the max legal size I can go to on my NA6, 6.5" or 7"?
How much can I increase the tyre diameter, 1"?
I would like to put some 205's on it

In QLD you can put any diameter and width wheel on it you like. The tyres do though have upper limits that are allowable.
Tyre diameter can only increase by 15mm, and tyre width can only increase by 33%.

But a 205/50R15 on a 15x7 or x8 will do fine.

GP · Postby GP » Wed Aug 24, 2011 12:28 pm

I really appreciate the help guys as I'm a newby when it comes to mag wheels. As for the Offset, Does a +20 have a deeper dish than a +35?
As for which wheels I'm in love with these things probably in the gunmetal with polished rim but at 14lb's they may be a bit heavy?
http://www.rotawheels.com/wheels.asp?wheelid=34

GP · Postby GP » Wed Aug 24, 2011 12:29 pm

GP wrote:I really appreciate the help guys as I'm a newby when it comes to mag wheels. As for the Offset, Does a +20 have a deeper dish than a +35?
As for which wheels I'm in love with these things probably in the gunmetal with polished rim but at 14lb's they may be a bit heavy?
http://www.rotawheels.com/wheels.asp?wheelid=34

BTW my car is a stock red NA6

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 1:19 pm

Yes, the lower the offset, the deeper the dish. Plenty of NA's running Rota RB's, a quick Google for "NA miata rota rb" brought up a world of images. Have a search around and you'll find some varied opinions of their reputation. I've never known anyone to have a problem with them, and I'm guessing most who comment haven't either, but said comments are out there.

drkkos · Postby **drkkos** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 1:45 pm

Jeo wrote:Yes, the lower the offset, the deeper the dish. Plenty of NA's running Rota RB's, a quick Google for "NA miata rota rb" brought up a world of images. Have a search around and you'll find some varied opinions of their reputation. I've never known anyone to have a problem with them, and I'm guessing most who comment haven't either, but said comments are out there.

Two things, jdm/e repz and the fact that previous years have shown the lack of quality in the rim.

But these days they seem to be good

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:30 pm

Jeo wrote:I'm guessing most who comment haven't either.

See if I were a betting man I'd say that you too fell into that category drkkos?

Yes there are photos of busted Rota's around the interwebs, but I'll guarantee you that you can find pictures of bbs/work/watatnabe wheels in a similar state.

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:46 pm

Jeo wrote:
Jeo wrote:I'm guessing most who comment haven't either.

See if I were a betting man I'd say that you too fell into that category drkkos?

Yes there are photos of busted Rota's around the interwebs, but I'll guarantee you that you can find pictures of bbs/work/watatnabe wheels in a similar state.

+1 to Jeo here. I used to believe the same thing about Rota until I found an equal amount of busted JDM rims. All comes down to the situations and how people drive them.
If you're traveling 70km into a gutter, it doesn't matter what wheel you're driving on.