Looking for grippy 185 60 14 tyre recommendations

[lockey1995]

Hey all, looking at getting some new tyres for my 5 but really struggling what to go for it's a daily but also enjoy allot of spirited driving in it. Found out you can't get pilot sports in this size which was annoying.

Was thinking something like ad08rs but I'm guessing they'll be good in the dry but a total handful in the wet 🤣 I could be wrong.

If I went 15 it would be allot easier I know but the wheels I want from Yahoo jp are 14 x6 hyashi streets if you go to 15x7 the price difference is huge so want to stick to 14s.

Any options?

[CSNY]

I have an NA with Toyo Proxies CF2's. Very happy with them, especially at £65 a corner. However, I don't know what they're like in the wet as I never drive it in the wet (or salt etc)....

[Sad Weevil]

Vredestein Sportrac 5. Very good in this size, £56 a corner from Oponeo.

[lockey1995]

Thanks for the suggestions I've only just come back to this aha

[bmv6197]

Sad Weevil said:

Vredestein Sportrac 5. Very good in this size, £56 a corner from Oponeo.

+1

I’ve had Sportrac 5s on my NA for the past few years and they are very good. Predictable, quiet and wear well, and ok in the wet.

[RSTurboPaul]

I think Nankang NS-2R are available in that size?

Noisy as hell but super-grippy and not terrible in the wet/frost, although the grip/slip transition is quite abrupt in that latter situation lol

Quite square-shouldered, though, so perhaps not ideal in terms of a 'soft' limit of grip to play around with.


Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 *should* be available in that size from Longstone Tyres and others, but I understand they moved the manufacturing location?? and are still not yet up and running so no-one has stock.

[RSTurboPaul]

bmv6197 said:

Sad Weevil said:

Vredestein Sportrac 5. Very good in this size, £56 a corner from Oponeo.

+1

I’ve had Sportrac 5s on my NA for the past few years and they are very good. Predictable, quiet and wear well, and ok in the wet.

I think I read the sidewalls are quite soft on these?

[lockey1995]

RSTurboPaul said:

I think Nankang NS-2R are available in that size?

Noisy as hell but super-grippy and not terrible in the wet/frost, although the grip/slip transition is quite abrupt in that latter situation lol

Quite square-shouldered, though, so perhaps not ideal in terms of a 'soft' limit of grip to play around with.


Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 *should* be available in that size from Longstone Tyres and others, but I understand they moved the manufacturing location?? and are still not yet up and running so no-one has stock.

Yeah I looked into that lol I've heard very mixed reviews on them in the wet so I decided not to, I was also curious about the exaltos also but not heard too much about them.

[RSTurboPaul]

lockey1995 said:

Yeah I looked into that lol I've heard very mixed reviews on them in the wet so I decided not to, I was also curious about the exaltos also but not heard too much about them.

PE2s were factory fit on Clio 172s IIRC - they also seem to be about the only road-based 'performance' tyre now in 185/60/14! Well, when you can find them... lol

[Tim Cognito]

In case anyone else comes across this thread I also recommend the Sportrac 5s. Good grip, good comfort, I found the sidewalls/feel about right for a road mx5.