What tyres on a 2.5 Sport (205/55/16)
Discussion
I used to use F1 GSD3 too but they aren't available now. I'm currently using T1R and they are as good as the F1s on dry roads and not far off on wet roads. The advantage they have is that they are softer so work well on a light car. GSD3 are quite stiff in the sidewalls and relatively hard rubber so don't work as well in the wet as they do in heavier cars. The old Bridgestone S02 were superb and when they were replaced with the newer improved S03 they didn't work as well on MX5s for the same reason, not enough weight and better in heavier cars. Shame really as I'd have a set of S02 today if that was possible!
I had a set of Michelin Pilot Sports on my MK2 (with 2.5 wheels so same size) and loved them.
Grip was great and when the rear end did break away it felt very progressive and never just snapped, unlike the way it behaved with the Uniroyals it came with.
Never tracked my car so no idea how they'd behave on a track.
Grip was great and when the rear end did break away it felt very progressive and never just snapped, unlike the way it behaved with the Uniroyals it came with.
Never tracked my car so no idea how they'd behave on a track.
MegaMinion said:
I'm about to put Michelin Pilot Sports on mine, after having P-Zero Neros on the front and Accellera Alphas on the back. The Pirellis were ok but lacked progression and the Accelleras are evil ditch finders and should never be fitted to anything ever!
So why did you have them on the rear? Always put the best tyres on the rear. The general rule is to always put the newest tyres on the rear but that assumes all the tyres are the same tyre. If you have a pair of good tyres and a pair of ditch finders put the s
t on the front.MX-5 Lazza said:
So why did you have them on the rear? Always put the best tyres on the rear. The general rule is to always put the newest tyres on the rear but that assumes all the tyres are the same tyre. If you have a pair of good tyres and a pair of ditch finders put the st on the front.
They were on the front when I got it, but the under steer was unbelievably bad in the wet even at low speeds but they were acceptable on the back. In hindsight I would have just changed them as soon as I discovered they we bad but they were brand new tyres and I was feeling tight.t on the front.MX-5 Lazza said:
So why did you have them on the rear? Always put the best tyres on the rear. The general rule is to always put the newest tyres on the rear but that assumes all the tyres are the same tyre. If you have a pair of good tyres and a pair of ditch finders put the st on the front.
why wouldn't you put better tyres on the front? The front does the sttering and more of the braking. not arguing, just curious.t on the front.This is a discussion that comes up a lot on a lot of car forums, not just MX5 forums. It's not related to car drive/engine layout. Basically, older/more worn tyres are more prone to blow-outs and aquaplaning. Understeer is easy for pretty much anyone to handle as the natural reaction to it will help to save it. Oversteer takes a lot of experience & training to be able to handle in an emergency.
All tyre dealers have it as a general rule that if they are asked to fit a pair of tyres to a car they will make sure the old pair are moved to the front. Google it - there are loads of sites giving the same advice.
All tyre dealers have it as a general rule that if they are asked to fit a pair of tyres to a car they will make sure the old pair are moved to the front. Google it - there are loads of sites giving the same advice.
When I bought my 2003 sport it had Goodyear GSD3 all round - great I thought.
......they must have been made of wood however - understeer, understeer, understeer, wild oversteer all in the same corner. Good fun when you expecting it but brown pants time otherwise.
The I lobbed a set of Michelin PS3 on - much, much better but did lose grip massively towards the end of their life.
Now on Goodyear Asymetric 2. The feel a little softer than the PS3 but both dry and wet grip has improved. More predictable in the wet. Will probably get another set but with a higher speed/load rating for increased side wall stiffness if available.
......they must have been made of wood however - understeer, understeer, understeer, wild oversteer all in the same corner. Good fun when you expecting it but brown pants time otherwise.
The I lobbed a set of Michelin PS3 on - much, much better but did lose grip massively towards the end of their life.
Now on Goodyear Asymetric 2. The feel a little softer than the PS3 but both dry and wet grip has improved. More predictable in the wet. Will probably get another set but with a higher speed/load rating for increased side wall stiffness if available.
I have YOKO's on mine...wot they came with they are great on normal driving, and whilst on a track day at Keevil last week were great on heavy braking and turning....with gas on full coming out of the bends.....they were also very good in the wet after we had a 10 min heavy down pour.
I think for normal driving there is too much talk on this tyre/that tyre....at the end of the day those tyres were good, I didn't spin as I kept it under control, after some professional instruction, my driving out of the bends improved my grip by a massive amount reducing my understeer by a massive amount......it ain't just the rubber....it's the way you use it!
I will stick with them when they get replaced (very soon as close to limit after the track day) Totally agree the new tyres must go on the back, best grip will be same tyres all around, for an even footprint
Tyres should also really be replaced when down to 2/3mm to help reduce aquaplane problems in the wet/standing water
I think for normal driving there is too much talk on this tyre/that tyre....at the end of the day those tyres were good, I didn't spin as I kept it under control, after some professional instruction, my driving out of the bends improved my grip by a massive amount reducing my understeer by a massive amount......it ain't just the rubber....it's the way you use it!
I will stick with them when they get replaced (very soon as close to limit after the track day) Totally agree the new tyres must go on the back, best grip will be same tyres all around, for an even footprint
Tyres should also really be replaced when down to 2/3mm to help reduce aquaplane problems in the wet/standing water
Regarding new on the front or rear - some time ago Top Gear did something sensible and useful by running back to back (or should it be front?) tests on a wet surface.
The clear winner by a long way was having the new tyres on the rear.
The rear broke away well after the worn ones in the wet.
Cheers, Pewe.
The clear winner by a long way was having the new tyres on the rear.
The rear broke away well after the worn ones in the wet.
Cheers, Pewe.
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