A larger wheel?

MochaCaliGirl · 04-01-2007, 02:01 PM

So I am looking at all of these great pics and am thinking of getting new wheels and tires for my little car as a Christmas present. I want to put 17" wheels wrapped with 240/40R17 tires (they just look kewl.) I am concerned that this might effect the handling. Can anyone let me know if I need to have anything special done to the car to handle this upgrade? Thanks much!

canadam · 04-01-2007, 02:10 PM

It will impact handling if you do that. MR2s are designed to have staggered tire and wheel sizes. They should be wider in the back to get he best handling from your car. Many people decide to get the wheels off of a 2000+ model year MR2. They fit great, and are really an improvement looks-wise. Also, with a car like the '86 MR2, you might feel like your car got a little slower after putting on 17" wheels due to their size/weight.

MochaCaliGirl · 04-01-2007, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadam

It will impact handling if you do that. MR2s are designed to have staggered tire and wheel sizes. They should be wider in the back to get he best handling from your car. Many people decide to get the wheels off of a 2000+ model year MR2. They fit great, and are really an improvement looks-wise. Also, with a car like the '86 MR2, you might feel like your car got a little slower after putting on 17" wheels due to their size/weight.

I see...thanks for the information...I'll start looking for 200+ wheels...any suggestion on the tires or maybe I should just go with whater stock tires go with the wheels?

RePete · 04-01-2007, 07:59 PM

Actually, the MK1 shipped with the same wheels/tire sizes all around, perhaps Adam is referring to the second generation MR2.

On the first gen. you can stagger without a problem but the suspension geometry was designed for the same size wheel all around. I had 17s all around on my '89 SC and it improved the handling but the ride comfort went down. I'm assuming your quote of 240/40-17 is really 205/40-17. If you don't mind a harsher ride in comparison to stock wheels/tires than go for it. Pros and cons:

Good

- Crisper handling w/ 17s because of lower profile tire.
- Looks great (though many would agree that they look too big on an MK1).
- Very good tire selection.
- Very good wheel selection.

Not so good

- 17" wheels are almost always heavy than stock.
- More unsprung weight (like heavier wheels/brakes) can negatively affect your ride quality and braking.
- Tires are more expensive than smaller sizes.
- Buying lightweight 17" wheels are relatively expensive.
- 17" wheels are easier to curb because of the lower profile tires.

15" MKIII wheels look great on a Mark I MR2 but they're getting harder to find and the owners are charging a premium for them lately.

canadam · 04-01-2007, 08:40 PM

Good info Pete! The tires on my supercharged MKI were staggered, I assumed they all were!

Thanks for the post, very informative.

MochaCaliGirl · 04-02-2007, 07:08 AM

RePete..

WOW! Actually, what I know about tires isn't enough to wet a q-tip so I am happy for the help. Thanks for the correction of the tire size, as well as the comments about braking and ride comfort. Let me ask...it sounds as if 15" sounds like the way to go when talking about updating the wheels. Can't I just look around for after-market wheels that I like in the 15" size and put them on my car? Or is it difficult to find 15" wheels that match the bolt pattern of my 86?

wagonis · 04-02-2007, 08:11 AM

You shouldn't have a problem finding 15" wheels at all. The bolt pattern is not an oddball one, and usually universal mount wheels will fit right on. Go to http://www.tirerack.com and select your car, you can see what wheels are available AND how they will look on your car. It's just to give you an idea of what's out there, but of course there are other sources with bigger selections.

RePete · 04-02-2007, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MochaCaliGirl

Can't I just look around for after-market wheels that I like in the 15" size and put them on my car? Or is it difficult to find 15" wheels that match the bolt pattern of my 86?

Your bolt pattern is 4x100, that's very common (mainly because Hondas share it and that market is huge). If you find an attractive 15x6" to 15x7.5" wheel with an offset of ET35 to ET40ish then it will bolt right on and look great with no fitment issues.

For tires you can go either 205/50-15 (excellent grip and braking, nice ride comfort but may slow your acceleration a tad) or 195/50-15s (crisp steering input w/ a slightly harsher ride on account of the shorter tire sidewall).

MochaCaliGirl · 04-02-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonis

You shouldn't have a problem finding 15" wheels at all. The bolt pattern is not an oddball one, and usually universal mount wheels will fit right on. Go to http://www.tirerack.com and select your car, you can see what wheels are available AND how they will look on your car. It's just to give you an idea of what's out there, but of course there are other sources with bigger selections.

Oh my gosh! Thanks sooooooooo much for that link. I have an idea what I want and they have them! Soon as I get my engine taken care of....new wheels and tires!

canadam · 04-02-2007, 12:29 PM

Tire Rack will set you up with wheels that fit, but they might not be optimal. You need Repete for that

It's a really good too to check to see what looks nice on your car, and give an idea of what available. Good prices too!

04-01-2007, 02:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
MochaCaliGirl No Skills Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The United States of Texas Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	A larger wheel? So I am looking at all of these great pics and am thinking of getting new wheels and tires for my little car as a Christmas present. I want to put 17" wheels wrapped with 240/40R17 tires (they just look kewl.) I am concerned that this might effect the handling. Can anyone let me know if I need to have anything special done to the car to handle this upgrade? Thanks much!

04-01-2007, 02:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
canadam MidshipExpress Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 10,399 Thanks: 120 Thanked 142 Times in 121 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (34/100% )	It will impact handling if you do that. MR2s are designed to have staggered tire and wheel sizes. They should be wider in the back to get he best handling from your car. Many people decide to get the wheels off of a 2000+ model year MR2. They fit great, and are really an improvement looks-wise. Also, with a car like the '86 MR2, you might feel like your car got a little slower after putting on 17" wheels due to their size/weight. __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-01-2007, 07:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
RePete No Frills Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Western Canada Posts: 3,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 254 Times in 244 Posts Blog Entries: 4 iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Actually, the MK1 shipped with the same wheels/tire sizes all around, perhaps Adam is referring to the second generation MR2. On the first gen. you can stagger without a problem but the suspension geometry was designed for the same size wheel all around. I had 17s all around on my '89 SC and it improved the handling but the ride comfort went down. I'm assuming your quote of 240/40-17 is really 205/40-17. If you don't mind a harsher ride in comparison to stock wheels/tires than go for it. Pros and cons: Good - Crisper handling w/ 17s because of lower profile tire. - Looks great (though many would agree that they look too big on an MK1). - Very good tire selection. - Very good wheel selection. Not so good - 17" wheels are almost always heavy than stock. - More unsprung weight (like heavier wheels/brakes) can negatively affect your ride quality and braking. - Tires are more expensive than smaller sizes. - Buying lightweight 17" wheels are relatively expensive. - 17" wheels are easier to curb because of the lower profile tires. 15" MKIII wheels look great on a Mark I MR2 but they're getting harder to find and the owners are charging a premium for them lately.

04-01-2007, 08:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
canadam MidshipExpress Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 10,399 Thanks: 120 Thanked 142 Times in 121 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (34/100% )	Good info Pete! The tires on my supercharged MKI were staggered, I assumed they all were! Thanks for the post, very informative.

04-02-2007, 07:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
MochaCaliGirl No Skills Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The United States of Texas Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	RePete.. WOW! Actually, what I know about tires isn't enough to wet a q-tip so I am happy for the help. Thanks for the correction of the tire size, as well as the comments about braking and ride comfort. Let me ask...it sounds as if 15" sounds like the way to go when talking about updating the wheels. Can't I just look around for after-market wheels that I like in the 15" size and put them on my car? Or is it difficult to find 15" wheels that match the bolt pattern of my 86?

04-02-2007, 08:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
wagonis Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, FL Posts: 1,452 Thanks: 60 Thanked 35 Times in 35 Posts iTrader Rating: (17/100% )	You shouldn't have a problem finding 15" wheels at all. The bolt pattern is not an oddball one, and usually universal mount wheels will fit right on. Go to http://www.tirerack.com and select your car, you can see what wheels are available AND how they will look on your car. It's just to give you an idea of what's out there, but of course there are other sources with bigger selections.

04-02-2007, 12:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
canadam MidshipExpress Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 10,399 Thanks: 120 Thanked 142 Times in 121 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (34/100% )	Tire Rack will set you up with wheels that fit, but they might not be optimal. You need Repete for that It's a really good too to check to see what looks nice on your car, and give an idea of what available. Good prices too!