What is the perfect Miata wheel? | Garage Rescue Miata | Mazda Miata | Project Car Updates

We remember when Ronal Bear wheels were available new back in the '90s, but at this week’s Orlando Roadsters meet we saw something new yet retro: three-piece Bear wheels. In gold. Or is it bronze? Either way, it looked cool.

Did someone cut up an original set? We didn’t get a chance to chat with the owner, but we’re guessing they’re from Felgenwerks.

While our 1992 Mazda Miata now wears the Kosei K1 Racing–same as it did 20-plus years ago–several other wheels have been fitted over the years:

Comments

Javelin (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/27/21 12:15 p.m.

I need a set of those.

tb GRM+ Memberand Dork
10/27/21 12:34 p.m.

I think those are awesome, but they are worth a lot more than the rest of miata in total. The style boost isn't worth the budget hit, sadly...

AClockworkGarage Dork
10/27/21 2:41 p.m.

Those are dumb as hell.

jerel77494 New Reader
10/27/21 3:00 p.m.

Favorites are Enkei RPF1 and 949 Racing's 6URL.

I like the Mazdaspeed wheels, but they're fragile.

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) HalfDork
10/27/21 3:13 p.m.

Yeah, that's gonna be a no from me dawg.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/28/21 8:39 a.m.

If that dude didn't leave near us (hate to steal someone's look), I'd totally buy a set.

wspohn SuperDork
10/28/21 11:21 a.m.

Neatest wheels on a Miata would be these (you'd get to let your inner Ben Hur out):

MadScientistMatt UltimaDork
10/28/21 11:40 a.m.

jerel77494 said:
Favorites are Enkei RPF1 and 949 Racing's 6URL.

I'm with you there. Can't go wrong with either of these on a Miata.

dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/28/21 12:54 p.m.

My wife wanted a set of these for her H2 when they came out.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/28/21 1:19 p.m.

In reply to wspohn :

With or without the knock-offs, yes, those would look fantastic.

dclafleur Reader
10/28/21 1:21 p.m.

I wonder if I can get those in a 6 lug.

ShawnG UltimaDork
10/28/21 2:01 p.m.

David S. Wallens said:
In reply to wspohn :

With or without the knock-offs, yes, those would look fantastic.

Knockoffs are stupid when you can see the lug nuts.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/28/21 2:04 p.m.

In reply to ShawnG :

Perhaps I should have said spinners.

Cactus HalfDork
10/28/21 2:13 p.m.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Ronal bears forged?

84FSP UltraDork
10/28/21 2:43 p.m.

I think they were a basic cast heavy ish Ronal standard wheel. They are swmi interesting but are now worth a fortune after being 3-400 a set forever.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/28/21 2:47 p.m.

In reply to 84FSP :

I remember the same. According to this chart on Miata.net, the 14-inch version weighed 18 pounds, 4 ounces.

fornetti14 GRM+ Memberand Dork
10/29/21 5:43 p.m.

I love the look of the SSR wheels on my car. I'm switching to the old Kosei K1-TS wheels next summer, just to try something different (with 200tw tires)

A major reason I bought the car was for A) Flyin Miata turbo already installed and B) loved the look of the rare mint 15" SSR's.

93gsxturbo UltraDork
10/30/21 8:26 a.m.

1 Piece masquerading as 3 piece are the dumb. Friends dont let friends roll on replicas.

rslifkin UberDork
10/30/21 10:03 a.m.

David S. Wallens said:
In reply to 84FSP :

I remember the same. According to this chart on Miata.net, the 14-inch version weighed 18 pounds, 4 ounces.

Over 18 lbs for a 14x6 wheel? That's up there on the heavy end of bad factory wheels territory. In my mind, that puts them right next to steelies on my "wheels I won't use for anything" list.

chandler UltimaDork
10/30/21 11:18 a.m.

93gsxturbo said:
1 Piece masquerading as 3 piece are the dumb. Friends dont let friends roll on replicas.

There are a number of companies turning one piece wheels into 3 piece, threepiece.us has been doing it for awhile but the quality concerns me. Some of those aren't designed for that.

wspohn SuperDork
10/30/21 11:41 a.m.

Thee 15" wheels from my old Lambo would look good on a Miata (would be a tad expensive, though).

They use the same spline drive as most wire wheel British cars so you could adapt Triumph knock off adaptors. Problem is that they are 7" - put one on my MGC just for fun - obviously a case for fender flairs! They'd give a Miata a real Lotus 26R look. They were available in repro aluminum alloy instead of the original magnesium, a few years ago.

These wheels for MGB/C etc. would also work on spline drive:

noddaz GRM+ Memberand UberDork
10/31/21 2:03 p.m.

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
10/31/21 3:08 p.m.

SSR in silver...

or white, although I sure wouldn't recommend white for a daily.

buzzboy SuperDork
10/31/21 4:14 p.m.

I don't care what car/truck/suv we're talking about because the one true wheel to rule them all is Gold Mesh Wheels.

dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/31/21 4:30 p.m.

In reply to buzzboy :

BBS for the win on any car!!! The M6 from the late 80s had them with those weird metric tires. Love the look of them!!

russde Reader
10/31/21 7:23 p.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

No No No...

And No...just NO

93EXCivic MegaDork
11/1/21 8:36 a.m.

chandler said:
93gsxturbo said:
1 Piece masquerading as 3 piece are the dumb. Friends dont let friends roll on replicas.

There are a number of companies turning one piece wheels into 3 piece, threepiece.us has been doing it for awhile but the quality concerns me. Some of those aren't designed for that.

I have only heard bad things about threepiece.us.