Quick question about wheels / tyres..

[Matt UK]

Can someone remind me..

What is the 'proper offest' I should be looking for on a set of 15x7 and 15x6.5 alloys?

Also, I presume that 195/50 tyres are fine on both widths?

[OnlyMX5ives]

Mk1 45
Mk2 40

Realistically most aftermarket alloys are 35 and they are fine IMO.

I have driven cars with far lower offsets and they aren't too bad BUT avoid heavy wheels the Rota Cup for example ruin the ride.

[Matt UK]

Thanks.

Car is used on track and whilst I'd like it looking nice, I don't want to comprimise the handling.
I do like the look of the Rota RBs.
Would 15x7 ET 35 sit too far out? Ruin the handling? Are they too heavy?

If I don't go with the RBs, Circuit 8s look a good wheel.

[GravelBen]

I could feel the difference between ET45 and ET35 on my old one - a little bit more tramlining and a noticeable change in scrub as you got close to full lock. It was never an issue though - they were nice light Enkei 15"s too so weight wasn't a problem.

Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 1st June 01:21

[tuttle]

Matt UK said:

Car is used on track and whilst I'd like it looking nice, I don't want to comprimise the handling.
I do like the look of the Rota RBs.
Would 15x7 ET 35 sit too far out? Ruin the handling? Are they too heavy?

If I don't go with the RBs, Circuit 8s look a good wheel.

If its any help at all:

I swap between 14"watanabe with off set of 36 & 15"BBS with offset 45. With the wats turn in is noticeably sharper & because they are very light car "feels" a little sharper (IIRC Rota RBs are quite heavy for track IMHO). The BBS look lovely, are a bit heavier & seem to ride better for normal road driving.

[Matt UK]

OK, I'm getting a bit confused now

I've read that the Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 (Race version) 15x7j PCD 4x100 is an astonishing light wheel - and this sight shows that they are 6.9kgs
http://www.mazdaontrack.co.uk/team-dynamics-pro-ra...

And the Rota RB is a heavy wheel - and this sight shows that it's 6.2kgs
http://www.potn.co.uk/rota-rb-15-x-7quot-gunmetal-...

Help required please

[worldwidewebs]

Matt UK said:

Thanks.

Car is used on track and whilst I'd like it looking nice, I don't want to comprimise the handling.
I do like the look of the Rota RBs.
Would 15x7 ET 35 sit too far out? Ruin the handling? Are they too heavy?

If I don't go with the RBs, Circuit 8s look a good wheel.

I run Team Dynamics Pro Race 2 15x7 ET25 - the same as a lot of the Max5 racers. No problems at all

[v8will]

OZ Ultraleggera 7x15 ET37 - 4.9KG

Enkei RPF1's are nice but quite pricey, Team dynamics are OK, cheap and a little heavier but certainly preferable to Rota wheels

[MX-5 Lazza]

Don't get too hung up on wheel weight. It's quite important not to go too heavy but it's not really that important to go as light as possible.

[Matt UK]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Don't get too hung up on wheel weight. It's quite important not to go too heavy but it's not really that important to go as light as possible.

True enough, but even getting reliable data to make an informed decision is not easy

[Digby]

Just put some heavier rota RB's on mine.They replaced the lighter JSPL's and lighter standard wheels and I have to be honest, it feels just the same to me.It still corners and grips like it has magnatraction.If there are any subtle differences, it would appear that driver input can dial them out with no real problem.

Edited by Digby on Wednesday 2nd June 19:39