New wheels on the MSM and cheese!

masraum · 07:07 PM

So, you may know that I recently bought an '04 Mazdaspeed Miata (turbo). They came with 17x7" cast wheels. The wheels were more of a marketing gimmick than a performance part.

Miata are not unlike Porsches, they prefer less unsprung weight. Many folks with MSM "upgrade" their cars to a light weight 15" wheel from the heavy 17" that they come with. I was no exception.

My new wheels are black Enkei 15x8" wheels, and I've got forged alloy lug nuts similar to what you'd find on a 911. I didn't weigh either set of wheels and tires, but the new set is noticeably lighter. I think the OEM wheels are 17-18# and the new wheels are 12.8#. It doesn't hurt that the new wheels look cool.

As far as the cheese goes. I was at the grocery store this weekend and grabbed a few different kinds of cheese. One of them was something called "Humboldt Fog". I'd never seen or heard of it, and I'm not usually a fan of goat milk cheese but wow, very, VERY tasty.

Humboldt Fog® | Cypress Grove Chevre

Quote:

Our signature offering, Humboldt Fog® is an elegant, soft, surface ripened cheese. The texture is creamy and luscious with a subtle tangy flavor.

I highly recommend giving it a shot if you like cheese. I think I'm going to order a pound.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Are you hinting at the cheesiness of the new ride?

Sorry I couldn't resist. Good looking car. Dad *almost* bought one. Looks fun at autocross.

masraum · 09-08-2010, 07:04 PM

Lots of fun. My previous miata was tons of fun, but needed a bit more oomph. The new one has plenty of oomph, and can be upgraded. Miata for me are like a Jr Porsche. I'm in miata until I can pay cash or mostly cash for my next Porsche.

ZOO · 09-09-2010, 01:34 AM

I love dark wheels on a Miata. Excellent choice of car, colour, and wheel.

Here's mine:

onewhippedpuppy · 09-09-2010, 03:23 AM

Good call. It's a shame that so many companies (and individuals) sacrifice performance on sports cars for the sake of looks. I'm not much on the wagon wheel look.....

EarlyPorsche · 09-09-2010, 04:52 AM

I always thought that the metal was lighter than the rubber. I wish you would have weighed them.

71T Targa · 09-09-2010, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

I always thought that the metal was lighter than the rubber. I wish you would have weighed them.

This comment perked my interest so I looked at the weight difference of BFG g-Force Sport's (one tire that had 205's in 15', 16', and 17's) as listed by Tire Rack

Size: 205/40/17
Weight: 21 lbs

Size: 205/45/16
Weight: 19 lbs

Size: 205/50/15
Weight: 21 lbs

So according to tirerack the tires are the same weight, and you save wheel weight.

masraum · 09-09-2010, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

This comment perked my interest so I looked at the weight difference of BFG g-Force Sport's (one tire that had 205's in 15', 16', and 17's) as listed by Tire Rack

Size: 205/40/17
Weight: 21 lbs

Size: 205/45/16
Weight: 19 lbs

Size: 205/50/15
Weight: 21 lbs

So according to tirerack the tires are the same weight, and you save wheel weight.

And in my case, I did go from a 205 40 17 to a 205 50 15.

Pazuzu · 09-09-2010, 07:45 AM

Steve, you might also consider (if you decide you like the 15 inch rims) the BBS factory mags from an 88-90 convertible RX-7. I bet they fit the MSM perfectly. They're 11 pounds each.

Yes. 11 pounds. You can balance one with a tire on your pinky.

5 lug, 15x6.5, Mazda pattern, 40 ET offset. They'll hold 215s nicely, or 205s perfectly.

Pazuzu · 09-09-2010, 07:47 AM

I guess you're 4 lug. Or is the MSM 5 lug?

gtc · gtc's Garage

Let the cheese warm up a bit more!

masraum · 09-09-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

I guess you're 4 lug. Or is the MSM 5 lug?

All miata (at least <2005) are 4 lug). There was an early miata (92, I think) that came out with a 10# 15" wheel but it was 15x6". I'd like a bit more tire, especially considering the turbo.

71T Targa · 09-09-2010, 09:41 AM

AFAIK the lightest wheel was the BBS wheel on the '92/'93 LE @10#'s, but it was 14x6.

The 15" BBS wheel from the '95M was 12#'s. But was still only 6".

Not my cup-o-tea:

masraum · 09-09-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

AFAIK the lightest wheel was the BBS wheel on the '92/'93 LE @10#'s, but it was 14x6.

The 15" BBS wheel from the '95M was 12#'s. But was still only 6".

Not my cup-o-tea:

I stand corrected, you are correct sir.

The first miata that caught my eye back in '93 or so. '92 "Black and Tan"

Tan leather interior, tan top, BBS wheels.