Miata owners: Wheel/Tire selection

"Bytemite" (bytemite) 08/19/2015 at 14:40 • Filed to: None

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One of the first things I want to upgrade on my Miata has been the tires. The only street performance option I have for the OEM 14” is Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec. That is it. If I upgrade to the Enkei RPF1s, there are no performance tires at all.

How are other Miata owners getting to a good selection of tires? List some wheel spec/tire combinations please.

Justin Hughes > Bytemite 08/19/2015 at 14:44

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Upgrade to 15s. Or maybe 16s by now - it’s been a few years since I’ve shopped for 14” performance tires for a Miata. but even then, there was almost nothing in 14”.

Still, the Star Specs are pretty good if you have to stick with 14”.

Bytemite > Justin Hughes 08/19/2015 at 14:48

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Yeah I actually like the Dunlop Direzza. But I would just like for it to be competing with something. And I’d rather stick with 14”s for the weight.

dogisbadob > Bytemite 08/19/2015 at 15:02

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ooo a Maxima! Awesome sports car

dogisbadob > Bytemite 08/19/2015 at 15:02

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If your Miata is white, get white wheels.

Bytemite > dogisbadob 08/19/2015 at 15:06

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Lol not my car. But mine is blue...should I still get white wheels?

dogisbadob > Bytemite 08/19/2015 at 15:26

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White cars with white wheels are awesome. For a blue car, get gold wheels :)

Bytemite > dogisbadob 08/19/2015 at 15:33

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What am I, a subaru?!

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Bytemite 08/19/2015 at 15:45

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You can get Yokohama S-Drives for the 14x5.5 stock wheels, too.

I tried for some time to keep the 14”s because I wanted that stock aesthetic, but I recently got some 15x7s and the tire selection is much bigger.

Flyin’ Miata will basically consult with you for free on the phone and place the Tire Rack order for you, while you just pay the normal Tire Rack price. I suppose FM gets a cut for such referrals. It gave me a lot of confidence that what I was buying was good on a Miata.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Bytemite 08/19/2015 at 16:02

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15s or 16s. I had to jump to 15s on the 02. Hope those stick around for a while. I just bought the Dunlop Direzzas

Bytemite > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 08/19/2015 at 16:23

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Wouldnt 15x7 ruin the miataness? Those are heavier and much wider rubbers. Is it harder to loosen the rear end and does it still feel light on its feet?

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Bytemite 08/19/2015 at 16:33

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It’s actually lighter overall. The wheels I got are 10lbs. and the shorter sidewalls make up for some of the extra width. I didn’t lose any Miata-ness, except that it’s harder to nudge a quick powerslide now because I have more grip.

The problem now is how small my brakes look. ;-)

Kyle S. > Bytemite 08/19/2015 at 18:27

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14” RPF1s. 195/60/14 Falken Azenis RT-615K. The 14” RPF1s come in +28 or +19 offset. Get the +28 offset if street car, +19 if race car.

Bytemite > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 08/19/2015 at 18:30

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Oh my god. I didn’t notice until you pointed it out. Your brakes look like the brakes on a donk.

But I mean a 15” compared to the same wheels’ 14” is going to be heavier. Pretty sure tire sidewall is lighter than the larger circumference rim and longer spokes. Like the 14” RPF1 is only 8.3 lb.

Bytemite > Kyle S. 08/19/2015 at 18:33

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I’m guessing +28 will make the wheels fit much more in line with the fenders. How do the +19 look? Like stance?

Kyle S. > Bytemite 08/19/2015 at 18:39

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+28 looks very nice and flush with the fenders on a stock/slightly lowered suspension. +19 with lots of drop and negative camber will look more stance-nation.