Hi
I'm currently on standard 16's, but am hoping in the next year or so (yes i know a long time ) to upgrade the wheels...

I'm always reading these posts about wheels and what not, and it seems that the general opinion is that larger wheels upset the balance of the car.

If i were to upgrade, I would probably want to go to 17 or 18's as i think the 16's just look tiny in the S with such a large side wall, but of course that's my personal opinion..

My question is however, would upgrading to a wheel and tyre with the same overall wheel size still effect the handling? ie; let's say that the overall size of the 16's with tyre on is 19" (im just making that up - i've not actually measured it ) - would getting a 17 or 18" wheel with a smaller profile that is still equal to the size of the 16's with tyres make any difference to the feel of the car?

While we're at it - what sort of effect would i expect to feel and by how much? It would be interesting to know as my dad is looking to upgrade his MX-5 15's to something a bit bigger too, and naturally, don't want him to get something that destroys what these car's were build for

I'm doing Motorway driving everyday, and I'm not expecting to track the car very often, if ever - I just don't have the skill for that! lol

If I were to go for some wheels, I would probably go for something like these:
http://www.tsw-wheels.co.uk/?section=15&wheel_id=58

Saw these on an S the other day and looked stunning - and they do them in black which would be a nice option for my red S

So sorry for the noobish questions, any clarifications please?
jamie

 

Read the faq in my sig

There is a link to a good wheel fitment guide in there.

 

Be VERY careful what you buy, the S is notoriously hard to get good wheels for.

 

So is the MX-5.

The early ones similarly used a lightweight tyre and a 15" wheel in a +45 offset and were notoriously affected by offset.

Of course the inadequate felt bigger wheels would impress the girls, only to ruin the handling balance (the car is so underpowered, the point is how sweetly it slides, just like the S2000!) and also ruined the wheelbearings dampers and (with the assistance of coilovers) the torsional rigidity of the bodyshell too.

The S2000 is merely a bigger MX-5 in so many respects.

So a modest increase in rim width, keep the stagger & the offset & choose some LIGHTWEIGHT wheels, and you won't go far wrong.

 

My 18" OZ Superleggaras will be up for sale soon. Good fitment, comparatively light weight, and IMHO they suit the car.

 

There rather nice, how much?

 

Not sure yet - planning on having them refurbed and fitting two new front tyres first. The costs will affect my selling price IYSWIM. Probably put them up for 900 'ish.