Hi I am currently refreshing my 1995 NA 1.8. The engine will be upgraded.
However although I have decided (more or less) to purchase Rota RB 15 inch wheels with an offset about 30. However I am not sure about the width of the wheel that I fit, should it be 7 inch or 8 inch. From what I have read here it seems that many people have selected 8 inch and others have recommended 7 inch. The car will be fitted with coilovers and thus slightly lower (with slightly rolled rear arches) with full geometric set up. I will not be driving the car on tracks nor particularly fast, I just would like it to keep its core good handling and ease of driving. I do understand that choice of tyres is critical, and thus any suggestions great…I will be chatting to Nick separately re tyres but would welcome yr observations.
In essence I want a car that retains its core competence in ease of driving and nimbleness ( I do have power steering) and not have the characteristics of tramlining nor crashing on postholes etc. Normally I may err on the side of caution but the wheels that I am looking at ie my first preference are only available at 8 inch width. I am happy to go for 7 inch wheels but kinda prefer 8 inch as they appear to fill wheel arches better as well as my preferred model only comes with 8 inch widths.
…I would really like to hear from your experience of using both 8 and 7 inch wheels…as I said I do understand that tyres are an extremely important factor.
A rough idea is that the width on the rim ,INTERNALLY, ie from inside of outer rim --to inside of outer rim.The outer rims themselves and not included in widths generally.So a wheel that measures say 7inches outside to outside will usually only take tyre say 6inches ,(to allow for both edges)One of the tyre companies on here will explain better .Obviously then you can fit streteched or extra wide tyres if you want to suit you particular wants
Thanka for yr reply, much appreciated. What I would really like to know is if 8 inch wheels will ruin the NA ride and nimbleness, or is it best to stick to 8 inch?
You need to decide what you want from your car first. You are saying you are going to upgrade the engine, which I assume means more power, that you are going to lower the car and even roll the rear arches, and that you want to preserve the handling and nimbleness of the car, but then you state that you won’t be driving “particularly fast.”
While there is a huge difference to when someone states on a forum that “they drive really fast” which usually means that that they are a knob, to someone who whats to enjoy the dynamics of the car, down to someone who wants a car for people to look at. So you need to answer those questions to yourself. You are far less likely to notice any difference if you fall into the first or last of those.
7 or 8" you will be fitting 195 50 15" tyres because 205 is too much for the car and it will feel dull and heavy and you would very likely need to roll the front arches too or the tyres will catch and pull them.
So given that, 8" wheels are heavier than 7". As we know from life, heavier things are harder to move than lighter ones and so it sis the same for the suspension. However, the likely difference in weight, if you can get the same style wheels will be very little.
It is very easy to over think these things. Just buy the wheels you want and enjoy them.
I have Rota RB 15x7 on mine and it drives just like it did with the stock Daisy 14x5.1/2 except slightly harder ride which I guess is because of the lower profile tyre.
Thanks these are the wheels of my choice, but they no longer seem to sell these chrome RB wheels in 7 inch size, only 8 inch…7 inch which is what I would like to get. The 7 inch are only sold in gunmetal with chrome rim. Hence my question.
My 2.5 Sport came with it’s original 16’s but I run slightly higher profile 195 50 15 Rainsports on ROH 15 x 7 wheels.
195 is the minimum recommended for a 7" wheel.
This was after advice from “those in the know”. Better more controllable grip on track and a more forgiving of the potholes on our country lanes. Win win.
Not sure that my ability can prove the former but I can definitely vouch for the better quieter ride on rough roads.
Yep thanks, the RB’s ones I want are the all silver ones, they remind me of the old mini lites…but weirdly they dont do them in 15 x 7 however they do that size in the gunmental and silver rims
