Wheels and tires ordered!

"Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg) 07/08/2016 at 12:31 • Filed to: MR2 Spyder, OZ, Pirelli

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There’s something strange about spending 15-20% of your car’s worth on wheels and tires.

As some of you might know, the 03+ MR2 Spyder runs ‘double staggered’ wheels, with 185/55 R15 in the front and 215/45 R16 in the back. Since it’s difficult to find decent matching tires in these sizes, and the OEM wheels are in dire need of a refurbishment, I decided to get a new set.

After some deliberation about going with cheap but heavy Rotas or Enkeis, I followed my gut and simply went for my favorite wheels: the OZ Alleggerita HLTs in 16" front and 17" rear. They weigh in at about 6.2-6.3 kg (13.7 lbs) each, which is actually about the same (front) and less (rear) than the smaller OEMs.

Tire choice was a bit better (still not optimal since I wanted to preserve the stagger), and I’m getting a full Italian combo with 195/45 R16 and 215/40 R17 Pirelli PZero Nero GTs.

For those left wondering, the OEM wheels will be repaired and put on winter wheel duty.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 07/08/2016 at 12:34

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The MRS is so underrated.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 07/08/2016 at 12:41

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Those wheels look sharp, nice choice.

Also, my folks used to have an 86 GMC S-15 pickup. It had been totaled on 3 different occasions, it was a beat rust bucket and probably only worth $500 at its best point. But my dad put a set of NOS ‘69 Chevelle Ralleye wheels on it. I think the trim rings alone were worth more than the truck.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/08/2016 at 12:50

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Thanks! And great story, a change of wheels is often a great and easy way to put some love in a car.

Nonster > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 07/08/2016 at 12:52

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NEEDS MOAR RUBBER!!! jk, those will look sweet

My buddy’s MR-S rocks a square set of 15x8 Enkei RPF1's with 225/45R15's. Its pretty damn quick at autocross

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/08/2016 at 12:53

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I really lucked out with it; I was looking for quite a wide range of roadsters, from the Smart Roadster to the Z4, and found an extremely good deal on my MR2. It’s so much fun, while at the same time being one of the most affordable to run.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 07/08/2016 at 12:55

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Jealous. Been wanting a set of the OZ Alleggritas since they’re the only aftermarket wheels that come in OEM sizes for my S2000.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 07/08/2016 at 12:58

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I have an AW11 tha I love to death, but if I were in a market for another one, I would definitely be tempted to go MRS. They’re cheaper than the MK1 and 2s because it’s “slow,” but everything else other than the 1zz and steering feel (AW11 is unpowered) is better. It’s lighter than the MK1s, dramatically lighter than the MK2s, a stiffer chassis than either, and 2ZZ swaps are a piece of cake.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Nonster 07/08/2016 at 13:00

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Fitting MOAR RUBBER would be challenging, and the local lawmakers don’t look kindly on widebody kits. *sad trombone*

Ooh, the elusive blue! It’s extremely agile I imagine; I considered going for a square set-up, but I’m still getting to know the car, and while ending up backwards in a hedge is probably the quickest way to do it, I’d rather take things slow.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/08/2016 at 13:08

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Love the AW11, but sadly they’re all rusty projects over here. No engine swaps either here (very strict modding laws), but I actually like the 1ZZ. It’s not very characterful (understatement of the year), but its tractability means it’s equally at home cruising as it is corner carving.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 07/08/2016 at 13:09

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Haha, I’ll be jealous of your S2000 then. ;)

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 07/08/2016 at 13:24

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Don’t feel strange, It’s not pimped out until wheels and tyres are worth 200% of the car

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 07/08/2016 at 13:38

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Awesome, those cars are awesome and so underrated. In my infinite garage with infinite $$$ I would definitely own a third gen too. Not that their expensive, but reality still keeps me from having too many cars!

Did you consider going with a square setup? Would help as far as rotating tires go. At least when I had my S2000 the rears would wear out so quickly - quite a few owners would switch to a square set up for practicality reasons - plus I’m sure there are work arounds with alignments and suspension to still retain/improve handling and balance.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 07/08/2016 at 16:53

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I considered going square, but I prefer how the larger rear wheel looks. There’s quite a bit more sheetmetal above the rear than in the front, so the wheel size stagger helps the proportions.
I will probably move closer to a square width setup later on, as I get to know the car better; 205s seem to offer the best tire selection.