Tyres for a MK1?

[Birdster]

Hi,

I've had a Google, but threads seem to relate to 14" tyres that I can't find anymore. What's the current best tyre? F! Autocentres have Uniroyal Rain experts for £42 fully fitted. Or a drive to WIM and they have the Ze-914's in stock http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/contact-blackboot... (I believe these are the guys recommended quite a few times for £45 fitted each?

Thanks

[Trabi601]

Rain Experts are excellent on Mk1 MX5s. Had a couple of sets when I had mine.

Definitely recommended with winter looming. They even work well on slushy roads.

[paul99]

Can also recommend rain experts, great all rounders and fantastic in cold/wet.

[jimmytheone]

I've got toyo t1r's in 15", about £50?
probably not an ideal winter tyre,but my car is not a daily. cold wet weather is not their forte but it can be more fun

[AmiableChimp]

Vredestein Sportac 5s on my Eunos, running slightly bigger 195/60/14 and have no complaints.

[Birdster]

Thanks everyone. IT's running on old tyres with a suspect date code that make the handling 'lively' to say the least. Week 52, or year 02 I think that means.

[bmv6197]

Would second the recommendation of Vredestein Sporttrac 5s - really like them although mine's a summer weekend car so have no experience with them as a daily driver or through the winter months... Given the lack of choice in the standard 185/60 R14 size, you could also look to go up to 15s where your options suddenly multiply...

[Birdster]

I was thinking about that. I do like the original daisy wheels with the mariner blue, but perhaps an upgrade may be in order?

Would these be genuine? Never upgraded a car, or purchased alloys so wouldn't know where to look.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-BBS-alloys-4x100-vaux...

Or these for a more standard look?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mx5-Mk1-VR-Limited-Alloy...

[Evanivitch]

I have the Fallen 914 on mine, but only to replace 2 worns and complete a matching set. I don't think too much either way of them, but I haven't really pushed them.

[bmv6197]

Personally I would stick with the classic daisy-mariner-blue combo myself. While there aren't lots of tyre options, both the rainsports and sportrac5s are decent options for 40 squids per corner.

If you do go up to 15s, those enkeis from a Eunos VR Ltd would get my vote! Had them on the VR Ltd I sold a year ago and they looked fantastic (against the very dark green mica paintwork). Not sure how they'd go with mariner blue but given how rare they are, you could definitely sell them on (possibly for more than £140) if you didn't like them!

[Birdster]

They do look nice and would look perfect with a refurbishment.

Just to clarify those Uniroyals are Experts and not Sports. I've not see many people mention them, but I'm hoping they are not too poor a relation.

[Trabi601]

Experts are fine. I don't think Sports are available in 14" MX5 sizes.

A good few years back, I had a new set for a track day at Oulton Park. Which was called off at lunchtime because it started snowing.

I drove back from Oulton to Cardiff in the snow without any drama - overtaking everything in my path. Was one of my most memorable drives ever.

[Birdster]

Sounds like a good drive. This will be my first winter with the car and it's too easy to slide the rear. I imagine in winter weather it will be dangerous with old tyres.

Thank you for the replies.

F1 Autocentre in Brentwood have the tyres and the Hunter alignment machine.

I'm wondering if it's worth asking them to do the alignment, or one of the tyres shops mentioned on WIM websites? They seem to have a list of other satellite sites. I'm guessing these are people they have a relationship with?

[drgoatboy]

I've got falkens on mine. No complaints but it doesn't get driven in the rain much. Think they might be quite heavy though. Felt considerably heavier than he old tyres I took off.