Finally fitted new set of wheels on my NB

Technical Area Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
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Finally got my backside into gear and finished fitting the wheels that I’ve had in my garage for the last year.

I’d bought them for my last MX5, a mk2.5 Nevada, which one of our neighbours clearly took a dislike, to and tried to reverse through.

The wheels had been fitted just a week earlier and with a brand new set of Uniroyal rainsports, so I can’t say I was too impressed.

 

Either way, one had been buckled during the accident, so I recently sourced a replacement, had them all checked out, tyres swapped and they’re now on my Arizona.

The wheels are from a Mini (new style first generation).  15", and then same PCD.  Only issue is that the hub diameter is slightly larger than on an MX5, so needed to buy a set of spigot rings from Ebay.  £12 for 4 stainless steel rings and jobs a good un’.  Apart from the looks (which I prefer, reminds me more of 60s sportscars), they’re also very light, i.e. just 5.2kg each.  I know it’s possible to get slightly lighter OZ and similar, but they’re a LOT more expensive.

 

As of now, car is now nicely “personalised”.  i.e.

 - The wheels

 - The drivers seat has been given a foamectomy, dropping the height I sit at by around 2cm

 - Stainless steel cobalt exhaust, which is a nicely fruity, without being deafening

 - Stainless steel gearknob.  At the end of the day, the two most common things we touch whilst driving are the steering wheel and gearknob, so IMO, makes sense for then to have a good tactile feel to them

 - Decent mechless, bluetooth capable stereo

In addition, it was fully undersealed by MX5restorers a couple of months ago.

 

I have considered adding forced induction, but frankly, where I live (south London) it would cost a lot of bucks, might impact reliability and give it performance that I’d very very rarely have the opportunity to use.

The next “opportunity” is maybe to stick it on a set of MeisterR coilovers.  I’m thinking of the road biased version, as I’ve zero intention of taking my car on track.  On top of that, whilst it’s our 2nd car, it’s used pretty much daily.

 

 

 

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Personally, not my cuppa tea, but your car will be easily recognisable at any Club event, that’s for sure. Unusual, but different, is what everyone aims for, and you’ve certainly achieved that. Main point is ‘if you are happy’ - then why not.- Not intended as a criticism, better than multi-spoke wheels which are common, and for you - a good choice.

Sorry to hear about your ‘bad neighbour’ but I hope I hope it didn’t do much damage, none apparent anyway.

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You miserable old git Gerry:-) - Sorry Sukebe but I totally agree with him, not my rum and coke either but if this makes you happy who needs our approval.

All the best

Rob

      

 

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I really like your choice of wheels. They suit the colour of the car well in my opinion

But if you don’t mind me saying, Since you have chosen wheels that as you say (and I agree) have a 60s sports car look to them, it would improve the overall look of the car if you did a few other subtle mods to match that look. Perhaps some chrome wing mirrors/grill or other external parts and maybe a wooden steering wheel and other classic looking interior bits? Self adhesive front number plate maybe? 

Might not be to anyone elses taste but it’s what came to mind when I saw your pictures and I thought I’d share my ideas  cheers. Bill. 

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Thanks for the feedback chaps.  Clearly it’s a very personal decision and in this case, seemingly quite marmite.

 

Bill, have been giving thought to some other “personalisations”.  Not sure I want to do much more to the exterior as I’d like to keep the understated look.

The interior however is a slightly different matter.  Ref the steering wheel, I really like the feel of the standard leather one, and prefer it to one in our BMW.  What I did rather like was the chrome interior pack that can be sourced for a mk2.  Saw that recently in another mk2 and really liked it.  Would also match up with the gearknob.

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I like them.

But, I think…they need refurbed in a deep gunmetal finish.

A bit too bland against paint.

I think a well executed deep gunmetal would be epic. 

** Also**

Your fog light blank (nearside) presents an  opportunity to route  cold-air ram- trunking into the airbox.

It has been done. Every tiny bit adds up. 

 

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I like the idea of the air intake, would you have a link to a thread of someone who’s done it?

 

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Afraid not.

I just recall it was a Crystal Blue, a guy on here from foggy memory…good while ago.

At the end of the day it was a fiddle, but nicely finished off with some company’s air-intake stuclkinto the hole, and some flexible trunking. 

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My only concern with the idea is the potential for water ingress from a pipe that’s on the front of a car.  Maybe just a set of Zunsport grilles in place of the fog light blanks will be a good idea, if rather expensive.

Anyone seen alternatives to the Zunsport units?

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Well I like them - and the silver wheels/silver car combo too.

Reminds me of a '60’s-'70’s Alfa.

Just needs lowering a tad now 

 

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My late grandmother used to say "If you can’t say anything nice, it’s often better to say nothing"

The wheels look OK to me, btw!

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Perhaps…it was only a sunny day 3rd car for dry days.

There are other ways…introducing cold air through the nearside bulkhead below the screen for one.

 

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I did look at the idea of the CAI on the nearside.  Being a RHD car, mine has the wiper motor their and a bunch of fuel pipes, so I think it’s a bit of a no go.

 

I did however drill the airbox so it looks like swiss cheese on the opposite side to the engine, which is a cheap alternative to a typhoon, if not quite as effective.