Wheels again

EXI Turbo · #1 1st June 2007, 11:19

Hi, I have read a number of threads that seem to contradict. What size wheels should I go for ?

I am not planning on making any body modifications. I have tried to buy 6X15 195/50/15 with an ET45 offset as suggested by one of the threads but could not find any. I was offered 6.5x15 does this make any difference as the tyre size is still the same ? or ET40 rather than ET45 ?

Thanks

craig · #2 1st June 2007, 17:47

You can get oz in 6 x15 with offset 43

If you are retaining the standard body yes it does matter whether they are 6 or 6.5 as this is the width of the wheel and 6.5 might stick out slightly....

Really the marlin body is designed for max 15" 185 tyre which is very frustrating

as this is totally inadequate for the type r engine!!

I have been in an honda elise on full chat and that scrabbled in the dry in 3rd gear with 225 rear tyres so techncally our cars being slightly lighter will struggle even more

SDMC001 · #3 1st June 2007, 18:09

Going back to the early days Dylon found he needed to 45 offset, I have used the standard wheels from a rover and they are 185 55 15, with 45 offset. I believe the 195 may be a little too wide, but limpabit may be better to guide you there. i will be taking my car our soon so will be better qualified to give a report on the 185`s.

Steve

limpabit · #4 2nd June 2007, 07:13

Hi Guys.

I will be in a better position to comment afer the car has been to the SVA on 7/6/07. I'm using the standard Turbo wheels which are 6x15 et45 with 195 rubber. Others have passed with these wheels. But it looks very close if not a failure on mine.

It is going to be very frustrating buying wheels as this is not a regular wheel size for alloys.

BaldyBonce · #5 2nd June 2007, 20:02

Hi folks

If it's any help, I'm attaching pictures of the wheels/tyres on the ex-factory demonstrator. The tyres are 195/50 x 15. The wheels are made by 100+. Not having purchased them I can't say with any certainty what spec they are, though if anyone can tell me what you want measured I'll have a go tomorrow. The wheels appear to be 7" wide (flange to flange).

I assume it was wearing these when it went for SVA (certainly pre-SVA photos show it with them on), and they would certainly pass the Police test - no visible tread pattern when viewed vertically from above. Whether the SVA is the same I can't comment.

If I were building now I would consider 16" rather than 15"s, if only to redress the gearing which is now too short. The speedo appears to be 20% optimistic - how it passed SVA with that I don't know. Maybe there *were* different wheels on. No doubt Mark/Terry could shed some light.

HTH.

BaldyBonce · #6 2nd June 2007, 20:04

But it only allows one photo per message.

BaldyBonce · #7 2nd June 2007, 20:05

Front from above - wheels not quite straight.

BaldyBonce · #8 2nd June 2007, 20:06

Rear from above

BaldyBonce · #9 2nd June 2007, 20:07

And from behind

limpabit · #10 3rd June 2007, 07:41

Hi mate.

Thanks for the photos. They look the same as mine the distance they stick out.

The wheel size is usually stamped on the inner rim so the wheel would need to come off to check. Mine has 6X15 ... 45 stamped in the alloy.

EXI Turbo · #11 3rd June 2007, 11:11

Thanks for the info . I did find a couple of OZ wheels that come in 6 X 15 et45, not much choice though. I also looked at the 100+ wheels but all seem to be 6.5 x15.

I may be a bit thick but can't understand why if 195/50/15 are OK (probably !) why does it matter if the wheels are 6 or 6.5 or even 7, surely it is the width of the tyre that causes the issue and not the wheel ?

limpabit · #12 3rd June 2007, 16:40

I thought they look at the wheel hub as well. Looking down on the wheel arch to see if any of the wheel protrudes. Also the wider the rim, the more the tyre at the base expands to keep in the lip of the rim. The tyre tread itself won't expand.

craig · #13 3rd June 2007, 19:30

As above (what John said) the tyre is stretched to the width of the rim, mine are 7" wide with 195 tyres so at the rim the tyre is 1" wider than the 6" rims

EXI Turbo · #14 4th June 2007, 07:02

I presume the 195 is the width of the tyre in mm, therefore a 195 is over 7.5 inches so it will allways stick out more than the wheel whether it is a 6, 6.5 or a 7. But I guess as you go for a larger wheel you may need to increase the offset and there will be even less choice of wheels.