When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
After about 15 years running aftermarket wheels I've gone back to the originals. Funny how you go thru stages of continuously wanting to "enhance" the look of your cars only to come full circle. At least that's true for me in this case, and with the FD sort of becoming a classic it just seemed right to revert to the original look. One thing I learned is the selection of performance tires in the OEM size is really limited. I went with the Conti Extreme Contact Sport and so far very impressed with them. Would have preferred the Michelin PS4S but not available. Quick shot of the new/old look of my baby, just turned 136K miles the other day.
Looks great! Somebody sold the original wheels from my FD before I got it, so I'll be looking for 17" wheels eventually.
I'm running Michelin Pilot Super Sports, 235/40R18 95Y and they drive really well on the street.
Thanks! Yeah, I have the Super Sports on my "17 inch wheels I just removed, they are great. The PS4S's superseded the Super Sports and are awesome, have them on my Cayman.
After about 15 years running aftermarket wheels I've gone back to the originals. Funny how you go thru stages of continuously wanting to "enhance" the look of your cars only to come full circle. At least that's true for me in this case, and with the FD sort of becoming a classic it just seemed right to revert to the original look. One thing I learned is the selection of performance tires in the OEM size is really limited. I went with the Conti Extreme Contact Sport and so far very impressed with them. Would have preferred the Michelin PS4S but not available. Quick shot of the new/old look of my baby, just turned 136K miles the other day.
I'm with ya! Your car looks great. Just curious - are you running the original tires? Asking because I see the old school wheel weights that were done at the factory. Don't often see those used these days
There is pretty much nothing lighter than stock FD wheels. RPF1s are heavier than the scalloped-spoke early wheels. Mazda were really fanatical about weight.
I'm with ya! Your car looks great. Just curious - are you running the original tires? Asking because I see the old school wheel weights that were done at the factory. Don't often see those used these days
My car is running Bridgestone Potenzas, not the original tires. No clue about the weights, they’ve been there since the car was purchased in mid 1995.
Pretty car @RX7gp
I ran the OEM wheels for years. Might still be on the car if good hi-performance summer tires in 245/45/16 hadn’t become obsolete and so hard to find. And I really didn’t want to go back to the stock 225/50’s. I understand 245/45’s have since made a little “come back”. And while I appreciate the OEM look, I kinda prefer my 17’s now... and a lot more tire choices.
Won’t apply to you if it’s a 95. But just in case some forgot, be sure to check for early OEM wheels....
The 225/50R16 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires (asymmetric, not directional) are very highly rated on Tire Rack, work quite well, ride better than most and are relatively inexpensive. That's what I'm running on my OE wheels. Link: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...FHI5&tab=Sizes
OEM was always the way to go. Especially with the original design. Although, I have incorporated a few things from the later model of FD's. Mainly the wheels since I wanted to run the BBK kit from Sakebomb. I was already running the 17's as it was (car is making more than original power so having the extra footprint helps immensely!) but now with the brakes, its the way it should've been all along.
Otherwise, if the car didn't already come with its original spoiler, I would consider putting on the later 99 version. However, the original spoiler adds an additional hole on either side of the hatch that won't be covered by the new spoiler stands from the 99. So the original spoiler remains..
There are other OEM pieces from different years of the vehicle, but my 94 remains about 85% original externally.
Pretty car @RX7gp
I ran the OEM wheels for years. Might still be on the car if good hi-performance summer tires in 245/45/16 hadn’t become obsolete and so hard to find. And I really didn’t want to go back to the stock 225/50’s. I understand 245/45’s have since made a little “come back”. And while I appreciate the OEM look, I kinda prefer my 17’s now... and a lot more tire choices.
Won’t apply to you if it’s a 95. But just in case some forgot, be sure to check for early OEM wheels....
Thanks Sgtblue. I'm sure I have the early wheels. New tires were indicated at 22lbs and I weighed the mounted tire/wheel at 38 lbs, so that would put the wheel at 16 lbs. I do recall there was a change made to the wheels at some point but mine have never shown any signs of cracking. I'll certainly keep an eye on them!
OEM was always the way to go. Especially with the original design. Although, I have incorporated a few things from the later model of FD's. Mainly the wheels since I wanted to run the BBK kit from Sakebomb. I was already running the 17's as it was (car is making more than original power so having the extra footprint helps immensely!) but now with the brakes, its the way it should've been all along.
Otherwise, if the car didn't already come with its original spoiler, I would consider putting on the later 99 version. However, the original spoiler adds an additional hole on either side of the hatch that won't be covered by the new spoiler stands from the 99. So the original spoiler remains..
There are other OEM pieces from different years of the vehicle, but my 94 remains about 85% original externally.
OEM was always the way to go. Especially with the original design. Although, I have incorporated a few things from the later model of FD's. Mainly the wheels since I wanted to run the BBK kit from Sakebomb. I was already running the 17's as it was (car is making more than original power so having the extra footprint helps immensely!) but now with the brakes, its the way it should've been all along.
Otherwise, if the car didn't already come with its original spoiler, I would consider putting on the later 99 version. However, the original spoiler adds an additional hole on either side of the hatch that won't be covered by the new spoiler stands from the 99. So the original spoiler remains..
There are other OEM pieces from different years of the vehicle, but my 94 remains about 85% original externally.
Thanks Sgtblue. I'm sure I have the early wheels. New tires were indicated at 22lbs and I weighed the mounted tire/wheel at 38 lbs, so that would put the wheel at 16 lbs. I do recall there was a change made to the wheels at some point but mine have never shown any signs of cracking. I'll certainly keep an eye on them!
Ah, thanks. Didn't realize they were that light. Well then mine are not the early version. The backs of the spokes on mine are hollow, which I thought was another indicator of the early version...
My car came with the early version and one did develop a crack where the spoke met the hub...on street tires in my autocross days. I bought a set of later ones and never had any issues. The difference in weight is negligible. Spokes on both are hollowed, but the strengthened ones are thicker walled. The way I remember to recognize the strengthened ones is to look for the “bell” shape in the hub casting.
If you calculate the original OEM size to the newly updated sizes Mazda decided to use, for whatever reason, their setup makes the front taller than the rears... really strange. So I went the other way. It's close to a square setup, but not quite.
I run 245/40/17's up front on the original 99 spec 17x8 wheels and the oem spec 255/40/17 for the rears running on the 17x8.5 oem wheel.
If I had a clearer pic of the rear, you'd be able to see the oem mazdaspeed diffuser I run as well... I love the OEM stuff. Really compliments the car nicely.
I'm on a set of slim pickings plus sizing 245/45/16' in Toyo T1R's. They feel great with the Ohlins.
I've always loved and been a fan of a nice classic & timeless 5 spoke wheel design. The older BMW 5 series split spoke wheels comes to mind as well. I do have a set of quality aftermarket wheels that I contemplate putting on but never in a hurry.
I'm on a set of slim pickings plus sizing 245/45/16' in Toyo T1R's. They feel great with the Ohlins.
I've always loved and been a fan of a nice classic & timeless 5 spoke wheel design. The older BMW 5 series split spoke wheels comes to mind as well. I do have a set of quality aftermarket wheels that I contemplate putting on but never in a hurry.
You see, fancy night shots like this I don't have any of..
This is the only pic I have in her latest state. She will remain like this for the foreseeable future. I've been on the fence about switching out my ground control coilovers with Koni shocks to the Ohlins FP spec. It'll be 1 of those "nice to have" items. Otherwise, she's perfect the way she is...
You see, fancy night shots like this I don't have any of..
Yep, 5 spokers for the win!
Love the BBK behind it ! I have the same to throw on hence my other set of wheels.
My buddy from Texas was in town and wanted to see some NYC night lights. Trust me, I was a throw in and never really do photo shoots other can the usual cell pics LOL. He's got all white cars (Vette Viper Supra etc) so the VR opened up his eyes at night
I'm thinking of tinting the glass for aesthetics but I do like the fishbowl look. Decisions...
I'm on a set of slim pickings plus sizing 245/45/16' in Toyo T1R's. They feel great with the Ohlins.
I've always loved and been a fan of a nice classic & timeless 5 spoke wheel design. The older BMW 5 series split spoke wheels comes to mind as well. I do have a set of quality aftermarket wheels that I contemplate putting on but never in a hurry.
I had the same setup wheels you had but was losing grip as the years went (and new turbo setup), how much power are you running? We should meet up some time since you're local, I need to check out your Ohlins...
Love the BBK behind it ! I have the same to throw on hence my other set of wheels.
My buddy from Texas was in town and wanted to see some NYC night lights. Trust me, I was a throw in and never really do photo shoots other can the usual cell pics LOL. He's got all white cars (Vette Viper Supra etc) so the VR opened up his eyes at night
I'm thinking of tinting the glass for aesthetics but I do like the fishbowl look. Decisions...
The AP Racing BBK is fantastic! I love them! You won't regret it.
White cars are nice. But they don't really pop when you add some light. They're just a nice colour to have. A pain to keep clean though...
I know in these shots it appears I have tinted glass, but I don't. lol It's actually the front windshield sunblocker I have on. From this angle it looks like I'm running limo tint all around! LOL
I've never had any tint on any of my vehicles. I do a fair amount of driving both in the day and nite. Having tint on windows is a real PITA at nite. It's not too bad if it's from the factory, but the aftermarket stuff always bounces the lights from other vehicles weird.
