Wheel dilemma

[SimonSaid]

So, my 1990 UK MX5 has a very original look. Most of it has been resprayed relatively recently and the roof is nearly new - it looks very polished as a whole. Bit the original wheels are pitted and corroded, and impossible to get clean. They really let down the car's appearance.

I've been offered some very cheap Rota RB Drift wheels (15 inch). Will these ruin the original look of the car and make it look too mod/Barryboy, or is this minilite-style design just right for an original '5?

If anyone has pics of these wheels (silver colour) fitted to a non-lowered MX5 (all the pics I can find are on lowered cars!) it'd be really helpful to see.

Thanks!

[designforlife]

Mx5s are very mod-friendly, and you'd have to go quite a way to "barry" one (think chrome,flip paint, giant spoilers and veilside bodykits).

Nice aftermarket alloys will only compliment the car, as long as you pick the right ones

Rota RBs suit them well, but new wheels will draw attention to the stock arch gap, so you may want to follow with some lower springs/coilovers.

[SimonSaid]

Thanks for the super-fast replies on this one!

From my understanding, wheel refurbs generally cost around £60 per corner, so I make that £240 for the lot. I've been offered the Rotas for a tenner more than that, albeit with a small amount of kerb damage to the outer lip. But they're £530 on Rota's website, and these ones come with (part-worn) rubber.

I've seen the wheels for sale IRL and inspected them, the actual body of the wheels is fine, just some clumsy rim damage. Why do people try to get so close to the kerb in such a narrow car!? I really don't get it.

I guess this really comes down to what looks better, refurbed original 14s or Rota 15s. It's fairly broad consensus that 15s are needed to fill the arches properly, but there is only an inch in it. Hmm...

[SimonSaid]

Ah-ha - that'd be good, the ride on mine is pretty abysmal. I know polybushing would probably help more with that, but the cost is pretty scary.

[SimonSaid]

Really - interesting. I've had similarly divided opinions about the effects of suspension/chassis/strut braces affecting ride quality, and wheel size. It's so hard to know what will really make the best performance/comfort compromise IRL, but I certainly don't want a 'track day special' for the road that sounds like it's disassembling itself every time you hit a pothole (or, as this is London, read 'transplanted lunar crater').

EFA

[MX-5 Lazza]

Chassis bracing can only help. A stiffer chassis allows the suspension to do it's job properly without the chassis flexing and ruining the ride.
14" wheels will generally "ride" better but 15" gives a better choice of quality tyres, look better (to most people) and many say it handles better 9though that might be due to the better choice of tyres).
15" is usually considered the best trade-off between ride, handling, looks, tyre choice & tyre cost.

On Mk2+ it's less of a problem due to the stiffer chassis and suspension tweaks so 17" aren't a problem as long as they aren't too heavy.

Polybushing usually uses stiffer bushes that standard so that will have an affect on ride. I'd expect it to feel sharper but rougher...

[KevSeymour]

I like the Rota RB's a lot (had every intention of getting them for mine, but changed my mind at the last minute). I'm not sure i'd fit them to car i didn't intend to lower though, it would just look wrong i think - the polished lip is going to make them standout and really draw attention to the ride height.

You can get away with OE 15's on un-lowered cars, the designs are usually much more subtle. In your case i'd suggest a set of Mk2's like Paddy N Murphy posted above.

[vrsmxtb]

Rota RB's would look fantastic, although I find 14" wheels suit the Mk1 better unless it has been lowered a bit.

Here's mine on RS Wats, of which the Rotas are basically a copy with standard ride height. I'm biased but I think they look great without any lowering:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=114...

Edited by vrsmxtb on Wednesday 16th May 17:39

[Digby]

I have RB's, but I just couldn't stand the 4x4 look so have dropped it a sensible 35mm approx.

Not silver, but here is a pic on a non lowered car.

[Evangelion]

Mine is on RB's and has been lowered slightly.

Am at work now but will post a pic when I get home.

[SimonSaid]

Agreed about the 4x4 look, does seem to be high. Looks like I may just get the stock wheels refurbed at this rate.

How are you guys doing the lowering? New springs and shocks, or is there a simpler bodge?

[KevSeymour]

Most go for coilovers, there's a massive range available for the MX5, you can literally spend anything from £150 to £1500 on a set.

[Marvindodgers]

I've heard only good things about these guys. Roughly £130 to refurbish a set of alloy wheels.

http://www.wheelrefurbishing.com/

[hornetrider]

Digby said:

I have RB's, but I just couldn't stand the 4x4 look so have dropped it a sensible 35mm approx.

Not silver, but here is a pic on a non lowered car.

They look the dogs fking bks - not barry at all.

[SimonSaid]

Marvindodgers said:

I've heard only good things about these guys. Roughly £130 to refurbish a set of alloy wheels.

http://www.wheelrefurbishing.com/

Thanks so much - that's perfect, much cheaper than I expected, and really not far from me at all. I think I'll pop there on the weekend.

Thanks to everyone for the advice here - clearly I'd have to lower, and that makes the whole proposition a lot more expensive, not something I can really justify right now. So refurbing it is.

[Digby]

Don't be put off by standard shocks and lowered springs (even better if you can do it yourself) as you can pick a set up for reasonable money.
I had two MX5's for a bit.My black one is running KYB shocks and Eibach springs and the other was on standard shocks and lowered the same amount as the black one on lowering springs.Real world difference in terms of handling and chuckability, was very little.Or, you could always spend £40 to £50 and clamp the springs you have

[Eighteeteewhy]

14s v 15s

I've recently picked up a set of fully refurbed original 14s for mine. I'll be trying them as soon as the rubber on my 15s is too low(not long)
It'll be interesting to see how much difference there is. If any.

[Digby]

14 v 15..I would say it depends how fussy you are.It was and probably still is a big debate in kit car circles when I had the Westfield.Fact is, I have been in some with 17's and they felt great, then some with 13's and they felt great.Driven an MX5 with 14's, 15's & 16's and still lobbed them about just the same.I think the weight of the wheel plays a bigger part as mine felt a tad more "sprightly' on lighter 14's, but it certainly hasn't taken any of the fun away with heavier 15's.

[The Geographer]

I just came home with 4 MK2.5 Nevada wheels, so my original 14" wheels are now up for sale (you will find it on ebay if interested). In my experiences:

14": Almost impossible to scratch/curb; noticeably better acceleration (gears it down), good tires for very cheap for this size, comfortable, light
16": Looks better, more grip, well that's it..

These are my 14"s £150 for all four with tires:

Edited by The Geographer on Thursday 17th May 20:45

Edited by The Geographer on Thursday 17th May 20:46

[Evangelion]

Piccy as promised: