winpatpar@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
> Hi, I apologize for the length of this message but I wanted to get all
> my thoughts in one post.
>
>
> I have a '90 Yellow Miata with 95,000 miles and going strong here in
> the Northeast US.
>
> The Mazda Alloy Wheels that came with the car have gotten cruddy over
> the years. Here is the sad part. I never realized they are painted and
> I used some very abrasive scrubbing pads to get the gunk off. Now I
> have penetrated the paint because it a dark black crud and normal
> automotive products have little effect cleaning them up. I also need
> new tires.
>
> OPTION 1 - Keep the wheels and recondition them.
>
> I have been quoted $150 to recondition each wheel back to near new
> condition. If I do that, I would just get 185/60R-14 tires and I'd be
> happy, but out $600 for the wheels. My good note is that the car would
> look like the day I picked it up.
I would not do that. You can find used sets of OEM wheels cheap, often
with very few miles on them, and this gives you a chance to go up to 15
inch wheel, which is the minimum I would choose simply because of tire
choices.
Even if you want to keep the original look, I saw a set of 7-spoke Miata
14" alloys in beautiful condition for sale for $100.00 total on
Craigslist last month.
> OPTION 2 - Keep the wheels and clean them.
>
> Maybe there is some interim cleaning method that will mask the
> underlying problem but make them look good through the summer. Perhaps
> a power tool and some coating over the surface. I would still get
> 185/60R-14 tires and I'd be happy, but save on getting new or
> reconditioned wheels.
You could bead-blast and then paint them. Gotta be careful with the
center caps, they can get brittle after 18 years.
> OPTION 3 - Get new Wheels and Tires from Tire Rack.
>
> They recommended KOSEI because its Japanese and light and looks good
> on the Miata. I have been looking at the KOSEI K1 RACING, KOSEI K3 and
> KOSEI K1 TS. Unfortunately, the K1 RACING does not come in 14x6, like
> the other two wheels. This might be too dramatic a change to the
> original handling parameters that I have come to love.
>
> If I go with a new wheel and tire combo, all mounted and balanced from
> Tire Rack, should I stick closest to the original size wheel and tire?
That is up to you. My Miata came with the same size wheels that you have
and is now running 16X7's. Larger wheels equal more tire choices, more
expensive
tires, bigger brake clearance for upgraded brakes, and for any given
wheel, any
additional size also equals more weight.
> CURRENT MAZDA ALLOY WHEEL:
>
> MAZDA ALLOY 14"x5.5" - Offset 45 - 12.3 lbs.
>
> ___________________________________________________________
>
> RECOMMENDED NEW WHEELS:
>
> KOSEI K1 RACING ALLOY - 15"x7" - Offset 38 - 13.5 lbs. Requires a
> bigger tire than I use.
>
> KOSEI K3 ALLOY - 14"x6" - Offset 38 - 9.3 lbs.
>
> KOSEI K3 ALLOY - 14"x6" - Offset 38 - 10.6 lbs.
>
>
>
> NOTE: I have no idea what OFFSET means or the different wheel weights
> compared to my 12.3 lb Mazda Alloys.
This explains offset very well.
http://www.miata.net/garage/offset.htm
45mm is optimum for your car, and as long as you stay within 14 to 17
pounds, that is great, but lighter is always better as long as the wheel
stays strong.
I would either find some OEM wheels for sale, or go with one of the Tire
Rack wheel/tire packages.
There was a discussion on this topic here recently.
Pat
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