14's or 15's on a mk1

[EventHorizon]

My tyres are knackered should i move up to 15inch wheels? I read somewhere it that improves the feel as you get less tyre roll with a lower profile tyre.
Or are mk1's better on their original 14inch rims.

Thanks

[neilj37]

i have 14inch on the moment but was going to fit 15inch as tyre choice is greater and tyres are cheaper

[MX-5 Lazza]

neilj37 said:

i have 14inch on the moment but was going to fit 15inch as tyre choice is greater and tyres are cheaper

[skinny]

i prefer the handling on 14's. however the tyre choice is better and cheaper on 15's. just get some light-ish wheels and you'll be fine.

[rotarymazda]

I went for 195/55 tyres on 14". Seems to cope with 200+bhp just fine.

[EventHorizon]

skinny said:

i prefer the handling on 14's. however the tyre choice is better and cheaper on 15's. just get some light-ish wheels and you'll be fine.

what was better on the 14's? I like the idea of keeping it looking original. (but do have access to some cheapy 15's)

Rotary - Thanks for letting us know about your uber power. Im sure its a lot of fun. Do you track it?

[skinny]

EventHorizon said:

what was better on the 14's? I like the idea of keeping it looking original. (but do have access to some cheapy 15's)

Rotary - Thanks for letting us know about your uber power. Im sure its a lot of fun. Do you track it?

it just felt a bit more nimble but at the same time a little more compliant. not that it's 'bad' on 15's - i run 15's now with no problem at all but i do have good tyres and light rims.

[Craikeybaby]

I had both 14s and light 15s on my mk1 and couldn't notice much difference.

[VladD]

Interestingly BBR puts 16" on their demonstrator/press car.



Looks quite good I think.

[dafeller]

skinny said:

it just felt a bit more nimble but at the same time a little more compliant. not that it's 'bad' on 15's - i run 15's now with no problem at all but i do have good tyres and light rims.

This may be down to tyres. I just put 15s on my Mk.1 and it feels both sharper and rides a bit better.

[renaultgeek]

VladD said:

Interestingly BBR puts 16" on their demonstrator/press car.



Looks quite good I think.

I think that car has a big brake upgrade.

[mneame]

neilj37 said:

i have 14inch on the moment but was going to fit 15inch as tyre choice is greater and tyres are cheaper

This. Plus it's not enough of a difference to alter the feel and handling an over amount.

[TameRacingDriver]

15s for show, 14s for go (I've had both).

[jfalesi]

I had both on my 2 mx5s, and I always preferred 15"

[CaptiV8ted]

I put 15s on mine and fitted them with 195/50/15 T1Rs. Tyres were about £42 a corner 18 months back.

[neilj37]

Having now run both 14" and 15" I prefer the 15" as there isn't as much flex in the tyre side wall so handling feels IMO a lot more responsive