Yokohama Advan AD08
Discussion
Will these kill me on my MX5 during our UK winters?
I was loyal to the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's, absolutely fantastic tyre in both dry and wet, sadly they are not longer available as the replacement model tyre no longer comes in 195/50/15 which is the standard tyre size of the MX5 mk2 1.8S.
A lot of people have told me that the Toyo TR1 was a worthy replacement, and almost half the price, so I gave them a go and have found them to be awful in comparison to the Eagle F1, completely changing my driving style, and resulting in me not being able to enjoy my car like I used to be able to on the F1's. I am sure the TR1 is better than most budget tyres but it really isn't as good as people are saying on owner forums and the like in my experience (this is all imo, a lot of people really do love the TR1 but I do wonder what they are comparing them to)
I have no idea what tyre to try next and want to get the most from my car this summer.
I like the look of the Yokohama Advan AD08's and whilst they are almost twice the price of most tyres at around £90 a corner, their performance in the dry is approaching non road legal track day tyre levels. However some people say in the Wet they are useless, despite them having a B grade rating on the EU tyre test. Anyone have any experience with them on MX5's?
I was loyal to the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's, absolutely fantastic tyre in both dry and wet, sadly they are not longer available as the replacement model tyre no longer comes in 195/50/15 which is the standard tyre size of the MX5 mk2 1.8S.
A lot of people have told me that the Toyo TR1 was a worthy replacement, and almost half the price, so I gave them a go and have found them to be awful in comparison to the Eagle F1, completely changing my driving style, and resulting in me not being able to enjoy my car like I used to be able to on the F1's. I am sure the TR1 is better than most budget tyres but it really isn't as good as people are saying on owner forums and the like in my experience (this is all imo, a lot of people really do love the TR1 but I do wonder what they are comparing them to)
I have no idea what tyre to try next and want to get the most from my car this summer.
I like the look of the Yokohama Advan AD08's and whilst they are almost twice the price of most tyres at around £90 a corner, their performance in the dry is approaching non road legal track day tyre levels. However some people say in the Wet they are useless, despite them having a B grade rating on the EU tyre test. Anyone have any experience with them on MX5's?
No idea about the Advans.
I've had used plenty of the Toyo tyres, they are ok on the road on the lightest cars, but when you push they get a bit funn.y
My new car has Yokohama Paradas on, and I've found these much improved - stiffer, sharper respons. No idea about wet yet but I dont expect them to be great.
As an 'all weather' alternative to the Toyo, the Uniroyal Rainsport is well regarded now I think.
I personally wouldnt go for Advans on a car that will be used through winter/all weather (unless you get proper winter tyres fitted in November, which i WOULD reccomend).
I've had used plenty of the Toyo tyres, they are ok on the road on the lightest cars, but when you push they get a bit funn.y
My new car has Yokohama Paradas on, and I've found these much improved - stiffer, sharper respons. No idea about wet yet but I dont expect them to be great.
As an 'all weather' alternative to the Toyo, the Uniroyal Rainsport is well regarded now I think.
I personally wouldnt go for Advans on a car that will be used through winter/all weather (unless you get proper winter tyres fitted in November, which i WOULD reccomend).
I use AD08s on my MX5 for autosolos. They are excellent in terms of grip and the car handles really well on them. For hard use or on track, I think they re great. I haven't tried them in the wet though. Price wise, they ain't cheap mind.
BUT...... I would not use them as my everyday tires as they are sooooo loud. The road noise at 80 mph is much much louder than other tires. I don't think I could live with the noise as my everyday tires.
I run ditchfinders on the MX 5 when not on track, I find that this gives the car a much looser feel and makes it exciting to drive. I like being able to slide the back end around at lower speeds rather than have ultimate grip on the road.
If I had to choose better road tires, I would be looking at the Paradas, they are a lot cheaper than the Ad08s and won't be anywhere near as loud with a good balance of grip and wet weather performance.
Bob
BUT...... I would not use them as my everyday tires as they are sooooo loud. The road noise at 80 mph is much much louder than other tires. I don't think I could live with the noise as my everyday tires.
I run ditchfinders on the MX 5 when not on track, I find that this gives the car a much looser feel and makes it exciting to drive. I like being able to slide the back end around at lower speeds rather than have ultimate grip on the road.
If I had to choose better road tires, I would be looking at the Paradas, they are a lot cheaper than the Ad08s and won't be anywhere near as loud with a good balance of grip and wet weather performance.
Bob
Just to mix it up: I run paradas at the moment and although they are good in the dry, they crap in the wet. I found the toyo's much better in the wet and as an general all-rounder although need a bit more air in them to firm the sidewalls up.
I was going to look at either falkens or federal as my next set of shoes I reckon.
I was going to look at either falkens or federal as my next set of shoes I reckon.
Dump said:
.......i have these on my mk1 mx5 (185 60 14) and they do NOT grip.............paramount to 70's movies american police car.
You are welcome to take fora test drive, or another note i think goodyear ultragrip 8's are very good
J
You have AD08s in 185/60/14?You are welcome to take fora test drive, or another note i think goodyear ultragrip 8's are very good
J
I don't think you do...
OP, I had these on my Civic, absolutely superb tyres and pretty reasonable in the wet, but nowhere near F1 levels, although that should be expected.
I've never tried then on an MX5 but they used to be standard fitment on Lotus Elise and they are known for being very good on dry roads and not lethal in the wet. Nobody would call them wet weather tyres though and they will be useless in winter when the roads drop below around 6C. They are close to being road-legal track-day specials.
I would say they would be good on a "toy" car that only really get used in good weather but not for a daily driver.
I would say they would be good on a "toy" car that only really get used in good weather but not for a daily driver.
I'm on my second set of AD08s. They are certainly in a different league to the T1Rs I had previously! 
On track they are great, highly recommended. Nice stiff sidewalls and able to last a good session without overheating and melting Toyo style.
On the road they are also good, although perhaps a little too much grip to enjoy the car fully at road speeds. I've never had a problem with them in the wet, but then my Roadster isn't a daily and I'm sure there are plenty of tyres that would perform better in that respect especially in winter.
I never really noticed the noise on the road; in a small 90s roadster with a lot of the sound deadening removed it's not an issue
On track they are great, highly recommended. Nice stiff sidewalls and able to last a good session without overheating and melting Toyo style.
On the road they are also good, although perhaps a little too much grip to enjoy the car fully at road speeds. I've never had a problem with them in the wet, but then my Roadster isn't a daily and I'm sure there are plenty of tyres that would perform better in that respect especially in winter.
I never really noticed the noise on the road; in a small 90s roadster with a lot of the sound deadening removed it's not an issue
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