Question on Wheels with very low offset...

Rob E · Postby **Rob E** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:20 pm

Hello all,

I am interested to know the effect of wheels with very low offset (ET 14) on an MX5. Obviously there are fitment issues, neccesitating rolling of guards and restricting the width of wheel used somewhat, however supposing you can get them to fit would the extra track provided by these wheels have a noticeable, positive effect on handling or otherwise?

Appreciate your thoughts on this guys

Cheers
Rob

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:52 pm

It will affect your scrub radiussss which is evil apparently.

Rob E · Postby **Rob E** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:38 pm

Ah ha, found on Miata.net

By setting the wheels outward, the stance of the car becomes wider and stability is increased. In some applications, the benefits of this stability are greater than the drawbacks of the scrub radius change and the driver may make this compromise.

So, the question is does anyone have any experience with this?

mossy · Postby **mossy** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:46 pm

Ask green_comet, he has those wheels.

Babalouie · Postby **Babalouie** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 7:16 pm

I got +14 offset wheels, and I would say that the effects are not that dramatic.

The steering is a bit lighter around the middle (it's non-PS) and on turn in, it doesn't seem as sharp, so you need a smidge more lock. However, once you get to mid corner there seems to be more grip.

In terms of things like straight line stability and tramlining, I would say there is no difference.

Rob E · Postby **Rob E** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:10 pm

Babalouie wrote:I got +14 offset wheels, and I would say that the effects are not that dramatic.

The steering is a bit lighter around the middle (it's non-PS) and on turn in, it doesn't seem as sharp, so you need a smidge more lock. However, once you get to mid corner there seems to be more grip.

In terms of things like straight line stability and tramlining, I would say there is no difference.

Thanks Kev

Babalouie · Postby **Babalouie** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:10 pm

Rob E wrote:
Babalouie wrote:I got +14 offset wheels, and I would say that the effects are not that dramatic.

The steering is a bit lighter around the middle (it's non-PS) and on turn in, it doesn't seem as sharp, so you need a smidge more lock. However, once you get to mid corner there seems to be more grip.

In terms of things like straight line stability and tramlining, I would say there is no difference.

Thanks Kev

You're welcome to come have a go and see for yourself if you like

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 3:45 pm

I got 14\"watanabes.. with a +14 offset only scrub when cornering hard with buimps.... but my car is lowered though.

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 11:00 am

15x7 +17, should be on soon, getting tyres for them early this week. I'll give a good report on what differences I notice

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:07 am

Got them on this afternoon, havent had a chance to take it for a proper drive. Steering is heavier at low speeds (not a problem, just noticably heavier) and once its moving it feels a bit nervous in a straight line