Pilot Sport 4 on Mk3 NC

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Discussion

5er

Original Poster:

4,432 posts

174 months

Tuesday 12th September 2017
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I'm looking into which tyres to buy and it's doing my head in.


I've just ordered some OZ wheels in 17x8 et45, and I'm wanting a set of 215/45r17s. The car will be fitted with Meister R coilovers and will have a fast road alignment.

I'm torn between fitting mid range tyres or top end ones. Cheaper = slightly less grip = more fun? Or better tyre = more grip = more fun?



Kumho PS71 seem to be well regarded, and they're certainly an option, but I've just been reading about instances of people having issues getting them balanced properly. Eagle F1 Assym 3 sit somewhere in the middle cost wise and are an option too, although I'm not really bothered about the cost.

Has anyone got PS4s on their Mk3? I'm wondering if they're worth the extra. Everyone seems to rave about them, but if they're too good, will the car be less enjoyable? Do I need to just stop messing about and pick something, cos it won't really matter that much?

kostas_miata

46 posts

79 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
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Interesting, as I'm going for the same set-up on my NC (Meister & PS4). Was thinking to go for a cheaper tyre alternative like a Federal 595 RSR, which is quite popular for mx5's but I'm not so keen on daily driving a "semi-slick" tyre.
PS4's are definitely on top of the range and unless you plan on doing more than 3-4 trackdays a year you should be fine.

Yes, the car is probably going to be less enjoyable in terms of playing around, as you're gonna have proper tyres. At the moment I'm running some horrible Toyo T1R's that came with the car and after a couple of track days, the car is a drift machine now..
Can't wait to put on some PS4's and see how the car behaves! smile

SmilerFTM

829 posts

149 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
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I've got PS3's and they are very good, they also seem to be lasting a damn sight longer than any of the cheaper good tyres I've had as well so while they may cost more initially, over a long period they'll be working out cheaper for me. I do have a heavy right foot but the Uniroyal Rainsport 3's I had were bald after a year and about 6k miles.

5er

Original Poster:

4,432 posts

174 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies chaps.

Having spent the morning reading through the various MX5 forums on every tyre related thread I could possibly find, I've gone with the consensus that these cars perform extremely well on Kumho Ecstas. Having chatted to a very knowledgeable man on MX5 tyres, I've just ordered a set of PS71. They seem to get superb reviews - they're the successor to the KU39, which were also very highly rated on the MX5, and the PS71 are supposed to be even better.

I'm booked I with Blink Motorsport at the end of the month for coilover fitment and alignment. Can't wait!

kostas_miata

46 posts

79 months

Wednesday 13th September 2017
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5er said:
I'm booked I with Blink Motorsport at the end of the month for coilover fitment and alignment. Can't wait!
Nice one! Are you getting the CRD or the CRD+? I haven't decided on the spring rates yet. Have had a ride with both of them but only on track and since I daily the car that's something to consider.

5er

Original Poster:

4,432 posts

174 months

Thursday 14th September 2017
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kostas_miata said:
Nice one! Are you getting the CRD or the CRD+? I haven't decided on the spring rates yet. Have had a ride with both of them but only on track and since I daily the car that's something to consider.
CRD are more road biased, which suits me fine since I'll probably only do two or three track days a year. I was all set to go for Ohlins DFV coilovers but Blink have advised me that driving the Ohlins and Meisters back to back on the road, the CRD are that good that you'd not be able to tell the difference in damping and ride quality.

mizx

1,569 posts

184 months

Tuesday 19th September 2017
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5er said:
Having spent the morning reading through the various MX5 forums on every tyre related thread I could possibly find, I've gone with the consensus that these cars perform extremely well on Kumho Ecstas. Having chatted to a very knowledgeable man on MX5 tyres, I've just ordered a set of PS71. They seem to get superb reviews - they're the successor to the KU39, which were also very highly rated on the MX5, and the PS71 are supposed to be even better.

I'm booked I with Blink Motorsport at the end of the month for coilover fitment and alignment. Can't wait!
Enjoy it!

Will be looking into those, are they new? I'd seen the KU39s around still, which I thought were getting on a bit by now, and wouldn't have considered those for that reason (my Contis arrived 5 years old). Tein coilovers on mine, I'm not paying £500+ for four corners 235/40 again so I was planning to move to 8" width and 215/45, liking the price of these PS71s biggrin

I've not researched in any real depth specific to MX5s, but had been looking at the RE002s.

5er

Original Poster:

4,432 posts

174 months

Thursday 21st September 2017
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mizx said:
njoy it!

Will be looking into those, are they new? I'd seen the KU39s around still, which I thought were getting on a bit by now, and wouldn't have considered those for that reason (my Contis arrived 5 years old). Tein coilovers on mine, I'm not paying £500+ for four corners 235/40 again so I was planning to move to 8" width and 215/45, liking the price of these PS71s biggrin

I've not researched in any real depth specific to MX5s, but had been looking at the RE002s.
Reasonably new, yeah. I basically read everything I could find on them, including a few MX5 specific articles, and spoke to Neil at MOT Motorsport.

My wheels and tyres arrived this week in those exact sizes, when I get back from Blink next week I'll let you know how I get on.

rockandrollmark

1,181 posts

222 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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FWIW i've recently had 4x PS71s fitted to my NC Sport by MOT Motorsport. good in the wet, great when it's dry and no issues with balancing. For £70 a corner (17R) they're pretty much spot on.

Accelebrate

5,244 posts

214 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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I'd stick to any decent mid-range tyre for the road. I've got some Yokohamas at the moment, they're good without being super sticky. I have a second set of wheels with Toyo R888Rs. Great for quick times on track, but the car loses any sense of playfulness on the road, and they drone a bit at speed.

5er

Original Poster:

4,432 posts

174 months

Friday 22nd September 2017
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Thanks chaps. Definitely happy with my choice. Can't wait to get it fettled now.

keefyp

2 posts

90 months

Tuesday 26th September 2017
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I have an NC with the BBR Super 200 conversion plus Koni suspension. It's been running on Kumho KU39s on Traklite rims. 215 45 R17 tyres.

Light road use and track days. The Kumhos have been outstanding. After 7 track days, they're down to about 2-3mm which I think is pretty good going (given the way that my son goes round corners.... )

5er

Original Poster:

4,432 posts

174 months

Tuesday 26th September 2017
quotequote all
keefyp said:
I have an NC with the BBR Super 200 conversion plus Koni suspension. It's been running on Kumho KU39s on Traklite rims. 215 45 R17 tyres.

Light road use and track days. The Kumhos have been outstanding. After 7 track days, they're down to about 2-3mm which I think is pretty good going (given the way that my son goes round corners.... )
Thanks for your input Keef.

Just tried emailing you regarding the Super 200 conversion but it seems you're set to not receive them. Would you mind popping me an email over?

Cheers.

wack

2,103 posts

205 months

Friday 6th October 2017
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I have a BBR200 NC , I put a set of Yokohama AD08R on it about 3 months ago and they've been great, loads of grip ,

adz9

136 posts

190 months

Friday 12th January 2018
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wack, are you happy with your BBR200? Its something I've been considering for a while now!

I had the exact same set up youre after OP. Meisters on an NC and I ran Federal RSR. Loved them on track and on the road. Only downside was the grumble noise they make on the motorway.