Spec E30 wheels from 949 Racing.

[Brian D]

Just got an Email from 949 Racing, they have a new wheel offering for E30's.

No affiliation, just a heads up for good wheels from a good guy.

[DSP74]

Just got done browsing one of the Miata forums....Can't wait to get my 15x9's....And start fitting 275's on the car

[z31maniac]

^Really, guys are running 275's on 9" wide wheels? Seems like you'd be stuffing them on there with lots of sidewall bulge.

I'll eventually be running 235's on 8" wide wheels, and really wish I would be running 8.5" wheels. I personally wouldn't want to run anything wider than 245's on 9" wheels, but that's me.

[NOMAD]

Whatever the rubber you want, those seem like great wheels. Very light.
Can't wait to get a set in the future.

[DSP74]

^Really, guys are running 275's on 9" wide wheels? Seems like you'd be stuffing them on there with lots of sidewall bulge.

I'll eventually be running 235's on 8" wide wheels, and really wish I would be running 8.5" wheels. I personally wouldn't want to run anything wider than 245's on 9" wheels, but that's me.

9" is the narrow end of the spec that Hoosiers lists in the recommended wheel specs. I know in the past a 3200lb ESP car won a national championship on 275's with 9" wheels. (this may have no bearing on anyones decision-just part of my though process)

And beyond that every tire is different. Looking at those tires mounted on a 9" wheel on the 949 website, I'm more than comfortable going that route. Especially considering the price.......When surfing a miata board last night, I found a picture of a Focus on 275's mounted on a 8.5" wheel and even it didn't look to bad. (not the way I would go though)

[joshh]

From seeing the pictures in comparison to the price, I'd go with that set up as well. At $179.00 each compared to 4-5 hundred per wheels, you bet that's probably the way I'm going as well.

[Pac0]

275 is perfect for a 9.5" wheel, 255's for a 9" I believe.

[PiercedE30]

Yea, my BFG KDW's in 225/45 look at a little "stretched" on an 8" wheel. I would love to be able to throw a 245/40 or a 235/40 on my wheels.

[Jean]

Just to confirm, as some of you guys have done your research it looks like, what offset should I be looking for to make sure there is enough clearance on the inner side (strut tube, rear body) to make sure 245s will fit? I plan on pulling the fenders front/right so outside clearance shouldn't be too difficult to clear but the inner clearance worries me....

tia!

[DSP74]

From seeing the pictures in comparison to the price, I'd go with that set up as well. At $179.00 each compared to 4-5 hundred per wheels, you bet that's probably the way I'm going as well.

The 285's obviously work too, just look at AlexS and his results. But the wheels are big money. And I think the "little" 15" tires will be plenty considering how much I expect my car in full blown S/P trim to weigh.

[E30 Racer]

When surfing a miata board last night, I found a picture of a Focus on 275's mounted on a 8.5" wheel and even it didn't look to bad. (not the way I would go though)

That's pretty narrow to reap the benefits of the 275, IMO. Consider that up until recently, the fast FSP guy were using 225/45-13s mounted to 13x9s....

I've mounted the 275/35-15 onto 15x8s, and the effective width was not much greater than that of my 225/55-15 radial rains. Very disappointing. My times were pretty much in line with those attainable with 245/45-16s with that setup, BTW. Things are better with the much wider width.

Unfortunately, the only way to objectively ascertain whether the 9" width is actually enough for a 2500-2700 lb E30 would be back-to-back tests. Unfortunately, that is rarely feasible (unless you're as insane as Alex S...). Honestly, I think my car was fastest with 285/30-18s, even though my setup weighed nearly 25 lbs *per corner* more than my current setup.

[E30 Racer]

Just to confirm, as some of you guys have done your research it looks like, what offset should I be looking for to make sure there is enough clearance on the inner side (strut tube, rear body) to make sure 245s will fit? I plan on pulling the fenders front/right so outside clearance shouldn't be too difficult to clear but the inner clearance worries me....

tia!

That will depend on what diameter wheel you intend to use.

[Jean]

That will depend on what diameter wheel you intend to use.

Would like to stay in the 15-16" range.

[Jordan325iC]

I am confused. These wheels are listed as 15x7, but this whole thread is about tire sizes for 8"-9" wheels. Am I missing something?

[joshh]

I am confused. These wheels are listed as 15x7, but this whole thread is about tire sizes for 8"-9" wheels. Am I missing something?

They (he) makes 3-4 different widths in the same design of wheel.