MK3 wheels ?

[BLZ-8027]

I'm looking at changing the wheels on my new MK3 ,what have you guys got fitted,to give me some ideas?

[greglebon]

Can I first ask why you're changing the wheels..?
Are they corroded / flaking lacquer?
Or is it just for cosmetics...?

Reason I ask is that I've been down this road, and after a little research a few things became clear:

The OEM wheels only weigh around 6.5kg: almost all the Halfords / online alloy package-deal wheels weigh much more than this, so negatively impacting on handling....
So unless you're planning on spending big bucks on sub-5kg alloys (REAL performance wheels! ), and the tyres to match, I would proceed with caution...

I had BK299's on mine, and now have the OEM wheels back on after refurbishment, and you can FEEL the difference..... The BK's weighed around 9kg each, iirc...they LOOKED great, though..so if looks are the primary reason for changing, then feel free....!

Decent alloys are made from expensive alloys, so can be thinner, but still strong enough. They're also forged, rather than cast....
The cheap ones are made from weaker alloys, so have to be thicker in cross-section to have the same strength (its not THAT simple, but you get the gist?!)..so they invariably weigh much more..

Refurbing costs around £50 per wheel: good thing here is that you can have them any colour you like..!

You can do your own: will take around 3-4 days, but cost you only time / effort / paint....
You'll need Acid-etch primer, normal primer, your colour coat and lacquer.

Cost me around £40 all in...

IMHO, a much better result than the £500+ BK package, overall....

(oh, the benefit of hindsight.....! )

[BLZ-8027]

Purely cosmetic reasons ,the wheels have been painted black, and i dont think they suit the car ,but they might grow on me
i haven't got the car yet so cant comment on the handling

just after some feedback on what wheels can be fitted

[greglebon]

What colour is your car..?

Post-2003 roadsters have 15" front / 16" rears: you can fit this size to a pre 2003, too....(pre's have 15" all round, but the rears are 1/2" wider than the fronts.

A lot reckon that unless you run the correct (185 front / 205 rear) tyre stagger, you'll end up in a ditch, etc, etc, but this is unproven.... (obviously! )
But those are the sizes from the factory: having said that, a lot run various alternatives...195 / 225 is a popular one (not a factory equivalent, but seems ok... )

17" all round seem to be a no-no, especially if you have the same tyre width's fitted to all 4.....

Check out the MR2OC for different options:
http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9911

Something there will take your fancy.....

[BLZ-8027]

Thanks ,ive been looking for a post showing different wheel options,couldn't find one ,
car is red by the way

[vinp182]

http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9911

EDIT**** I Should have read all the other posts first lol

[CecilWard]

If you decide to get rid of your wheels, can I buy them off you? If in vg condition.

[rbuckingham]

if you do get bigger heavier wheels you will just have to say to the missues i need to get a turbo kit now so i can have more power to help move the extra weight of the wheels

[CecilWard]

if you do get bigger heavier wheels you will just have to say to the missues i need to get a turbo kit now so i can have more power to help move the extra weight of the wheels

too true

[RST]

I have 16" white rota slipstrerams on mine. Struggling with pics / links at the moment but with Toyo T1-R's and a good stagger fr-rear they've transformed my car. The original 15" alloys are very light -but there's not much to them, I was surprised just how light the rotas were compared to other alloys I've had.

...gen 3 3SGTE conversion might still be on the cards at some point though.

[D1SDM]

I had a pre-03 car and fitted 15" Rota Slipstreams which I was really happy with,nice and light and looked great too,Black wheels on a White car. I went for 6" fronts with 195/50 tyres and 6.5" rear with 205/50 tyres.

[BLZ-8027]

I had BK299's on mine,

So have i

[andyroo104]

Those wheels were originally owned by Greg.
Andy.

[BLZ-8027]

Those wheels were originally owned by Greg.
Andy.

Small world

[greglebon]

I had BK299's on mine,

So have i

Image Replaced With URL For Quote http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n281 ... CF2020.jpg

I still think those wheels look good.....!

[BLZ-8027]

I had BK299's on mine,

So have i

Image Replaced With URL For Quote http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n281 ... CF2020.jpg

I still think those wheels look good.....!

bu88er to clean though

[greglebon]

I found that too...until I discovered Wonderwheels.....

[BLZ-8027]

I found that too...until I discovered Wonderwheels.....

I thought that stuff was acid based ,and not recommended ?

[greglebon]

iirc, they do 2 different formulas?

But the stock one is ok for wheels with unbroken finish, its not recommended for use on old, knackered wheels.......

[BLZ-8027]

iirc, they do 2 different formulas?

But the stock one is ok for wheels with unbroken finish, its not recommended for use on old, knackered wheels.......

Ill look into it , i have some AutoGlym stuff ,which came as part of a kit ,doesn't seem to do much