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Hay guys im pretty excited about being a new member to this group i have recently bought a 05 SE turbo mx5 and need wheel and tyre advise im looking at getting a 17x8 rim on the rear and 17x7 on the front to replace the stock 17"s what sort of offset could i go for? Im also running yellow speed coil-overs can you help me out? maybe even suggest where is the best place to get rims?

thanks Sam

First up, DON'T run different tyre widths front and rear:

1. The car wasn't designed for that
2. It will be hard to on-sell them once you realise that setup rubbish, no-one wants a staggered setup and its hard to sell "2 sets of 2 rims", you're relying on someone wanting to buy 2 rims to replace their damaged rims.


Second, DON'T replace the OEM 17" Racing Hart boat anchors with another set of 17" boat anchors:

1. 17" rims are heavy, this affects acceleration, requires harder braking, makes turning harder (probably not an issue with power steering) - you want to keep the car as light as possible, minimise unsprung weight (I'd like to kick the Mazda marketing guys in the crotch for subjecting us to the 17" rims) (see http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/index.php/topic,29258.0.html)
2. 17" tyres are expensive and tyre choice is limited
3. 17" rims make the car ride like shite and every pothole feels like you've damaged your rim
4. 16" rims tend to look better on NBs but tyre choice is limited and more expensive than 15" tyres
5. light 15" rims are the best. there's more tyre choice and they're cheaper

See http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16546.0.html for a thread on MSM/SE rims to give you some ideas

For 949 6ULs, unless you can find them 2nd hand here in Australia, you'll need to import them: http://949racing.com/15-wheels.aspx
For Konig rims, see http://www.mx5parts.com.au/product-category/model/nb/wheels-nb

If you MUST have 17" rims, just keep the OEM boat anchors, then all you'll be wasting money on is expensive tyres.

PS: Please add your location to your profile - locals will be able to provide more local help and possibly allow you to drive their cars for comparison, or lend you a set or rims/tyres to try.

You can run staggered rims. It can look better but will effect the handling (not ruin) by making the car more inclined to under steer as a general rule.

Staggered rims will cost you more in tires because you can't rotate front to rear with out complete removing the tire and refitting it to the other rim ($$). If you also run directional tires this will lock you from cheap rotations to even out tire wear.

I have staggered rims but only offset not width, bought them second hand as a set. The fit is perfect for the car from a looks point and handling is still good.


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Welcome & congrats, & don't forget to add yourself to the SE owners list:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=41980&start=240

15x8 with offset from ~+25 to ~+35.

Run 205/50/15s.

Win at life.

Baller option is 15x9 with a similar offset but tyres are hard to find in 225/45/15.

PM me, im selling 3 different sets atm:

17x7's

and 15x7's

Job done!
http://www.autotechnik.com.au/index.php ... uct_id=326

Thanks guys you have all been so helpfull im going to give 15x8s a go
Found some i like

Thanks Sam

What offset?

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SamIfe wrote:Thanks guys you have all been so helpfull im going to give 15x8s a go
Found some i like

Thanks Sam

Care to share?

If they're not any of the ones mentioned above, you should get some advice from forum members regarding them since they may not be suitable.

Rims and tyres are expensive so it's prudent to avoid the wrong ones.

im realy considering the Advanti Racing Storm S1 15x7 +35offset or the Konig Dial 15x8 +25 offset i want black but not sure if they will do it ill have to call them up at mx5parts.com

Both decent options for the SE.

If you're going to track the car then I would go with the 15x8s. They will be faster on the same (205/50) tyre and also give you the option of running 225/45s. I wouldn't go narrower than 205 on an 8 inch rim for track use. Lots of good track tyre options in 205 but track tyres in 225 are hard to come by and very expensive.

You are limited to 195 or 205 with the 15x7s, however there are heaps of track tyre options at reasonable prices in those sizes.

If it's just for looks then it's worth bearing in mind that the 15x8s also have an offset that will place them further outboard, so will sit significantly wider than the 15x7s.

Note that the spokes on the Dial-Ins protrude quite significantly as well, a lot more so than the Advantis.

You *might* have some clearance issues with a 15x8 +25 if you're at stock height and aren't running some neg camber. If you're decently low with -1.5 or more neg camber then you should be fine.

You can plug the numbers for each wheel/tyre combo in here http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp to get a better idea of how they compare and how they might fill out the guards (or not).

Actually the Advantis are also available in 15x8 +25, why not get those? They are all things considered a better wheel than the Konig. http://www.mx5parts.com.au/product/advanti-racing-storm-s1-15x8-set-4-pcd-4x100-hyper-silver

I have got it about an inch lower than stock on yellow speed coilovers and rolled rear gards