What wheels sizes would be best?

Technical Area Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
2

Hello,

I am the recent owner of an 96 NA 1.8 which is a lovely clean and tidy Merlot. I am now currently looking to put my stamp on it. 

First thing that is needed is wheels (they are not so clean and tidy but hidious scraped things) but my overall (very long-term) plan is looking towards turbo so at some point before that I’ll be wanting bigger a brake kit. 

So, not wanting to spend money on lovely wheels to then buy big calipers and find one doesn’t fit the other, what wheel sizes would be best? 

I’m eyeing up the wilwood 4 pot front calipers so any reviews on them would also be helpful or any other direction for better stopping power (rear brake setup included)? 

I will also be looking for coilovers to stop it looking so much like a little boat but not wanting to have to hack the arches apart to fit wheels as all four arches are clean.

A lot of this has probably been asked before but I’m new to the mx5 world after being surrounded by Nissan for years so have no clue where to start. 

Thanks, 

Sam

 

3

Hi Sam

In my opinion the best wheel size for the MK1 is 15 inch with a 50 profile tyre.

The wilwood brake system seems to work very well but in your position I would go for the MK2.5 big brakes as fitted to the SVT sport.

These can be bought relatively cheaply along with the servo which you can fit as well if you want although most just fit the calipers, carriers, discs and pads to the MK1.

I believe some 15 inch wheels will fit over the big brakes but if you went this route worth making absolutely sure.

You could fit the 16 inch SVT sport style wheels to the MK1 but I would say that may be over the top. 

 

4

Thanks, I’ll have a look into that set up

 

I was thinking 15’s would be best it is only a little car after all

What is the standard width of the mk1 wheels? And what can it get away with without hitting anything? 

5

This is an old thread but seems to make sense.

With standard power(130 bhp) and not rolling or extending arches, spacers etc you have to go some to beat 195 x 50 x 15 for practicality. 

6

Thanks. 

What offset of wheel and j rating are standard? What size (small or large) can you get you get away with?

Ideally looking for 15" wheels and currently looking for the suspension set up. Brakes will probably be a while away but not wanting to regret the wheels if I do go bigger brakes. 

Thanks again.