Mixing tyre makes and wheel sizes

[Quintaint]

I use a MR2 on track with standard staggered wheels and Toyo T1R's. The time has come for new tyres so for more choice I'm upgrading to 16" wheels with 205/45/16 fronts and 225/45/16 rears. This gives me a choice of Yokohama AD08R's, Toyo R888R's or Nankang AR-1's. However if I were to mix makes I'd get an additional choice of Kumho V70A, Federal 595 RS-R, Toyo R1-R,Nankang NS-2R on the front and Yokohama A052 or Dunlop DZ03G on the rear.

Has anyone tried mixed makes with any success? Also what about using different wheel sizes? With 17's on the rear I'd need 225/40/17 or 235/40/17.

[Krikkit]

If it's for track use I'd go for AD08's every time.

[mpit]

Just stick with the same tyres front and rear.

All you're going to do is end up with inconsistent handling - the fact you'll have more grip on one end than the other aside, they'll go off at different rates, work differently with different temperatures and conditions etc.

[IdiotRace]

I run 205/50/16 F and 225/50/16 R AD08R's on my MR2, you can also get R1R's in this size. If you can fit a 245/45/16 on the rear you have R888R's as an option. However my rear arches have been rolled for extra clearance.

Going for a bigger sized wheel in the rear is also an option if you want to run stuff that doesnt come in 16 inch rear size.

[AdamGRocco]

mpit said:

Just stick with the same tyres front and rear.

All you're going to do is end up with inconsistent handling - the fact you'll have more grip on one end than the other aside, they'll go off at different rates, work differently with different temperatures and conditions etc.

In some cases I'd agree, other times it can be a good way to modify the characteristics of a cars handling, or tweak them to circumstances. I personally like a car to be tail happy, however, for someone newer to trackday driving, a more neutral or understeery feel might work better.

[AdamGRocco]

Quintaint said:

Also what about using different wheel sizes? With 17's on the rear I'd need 225/40/17 or 235/40/17.

Some cars come out the factory with different sized wheels (front to rear), larger wheels means you have more un-sprung weight and can have negative results on handling, however, you can fit larger brakes under them. Also depending on how common a tyre size is can have a huge result in cost of tyres, and availability of more brands.
Some newer cars stability and traction control systems throw a fit also, if you have different sizes front to rear.

[Quintaint]

Thanks Guys. I'm probably going for AD08R's on 16" Work Meisters. If Mrs Q will let me...