Skinny tyres are the way forward!

[jon-]

My girlfriend has just bought an AX actually as a temporary car for a few months. I can't wait to give it ago

[otolith]

Mazda claim that one of the design principles behind the new MX5 was that it shouldn't have any more grip than the previous model, so they've clearly got the right idea. An MX5 is most fun in the wet.

[havoc]

JakeR said:

go on then... lets list some suitable cars for conversion to skinny tyred, fun-at-legal-speeds, cross-ply shod grin wagons...

I'll start with a BMW E30 318is. LSD iirc, cheap to buy, rwd, enough power for 'progress' and would be a giggle on skinny tyres I reckon...

MX5 1.8iS Mk1 for preference. Already pretty skinny, but a bit less grip would make it roundabout-inducingly fun!

[Chris71]

L100NYY said:

Chris you are absolutely right ol' chum. Classic cars with zero grip and tiddly brakes are what seperates the men from the boys!

With my 2002tii I am intentionally not going to go with huge sticky tyres and big brakes, I want it to be fun at sensible(ish) speeds and test my driving skills rather than set the fastest time from A-B.

The thrill of driving.

Oh I know I'm right, just pleasantly surprised to see most of PH agreeing with me

To be fair, I should also point out that given the money I would be the first person to buy a 200mph Aston that barely fits down an English b-road; for it's character, the sense of occasion and the occasional cross-continent blast. I'd enjoy owning them both, but I suspect something like the XI that keeps popping up on here would actually be a lot more fun to drive.

[Boobonman]

This thread came up on google, haven't been on here for years. Just fitted 175 section Michelin eco tyres on bmw mini steels to my Eunos

[caelite]

Boobonman said:

-SNIP, steelsareheavyyo.jpg-

This thread came up on google, haven't been on here for years. Just fitted 175 section Michelin eco tyres on bmw mini steels to my Eunos

But...unsprung mass... mx5... *twitches*

+ Holy thread resurrection.

[Boobonman]

They're so much lighter than the alloy wheels that came off

[caelite]

Boobonman said:

They're so much lighter than the alloy wheels that came off

You know what your almost right, stock MX5 wheels sit around 6-8kg per corner as a 15x6.5 depending on the model The 15x5.5 mini steels come in at 6.8kg. About the same as most of the MX5 stock alloys, and about the same as most moderately priced 15x7 alloys that folks put on, hell they weigh less than Rota's... which are popular... for some reason... I'm amazed that they can be so light being steels.

Might pick up a set for my own and put snow tyres on them, I usually run 195s on my summer alloys, gives the best selection of tyres at good prices in my opinion, but skinny is great for winter tyres.

[foxbody-87]

My mum's old Corsa B with steelies and no power steering was great fun to drive. It was also nice for fitting through gaps on country roads.
The Mrs briefly had a Corsa B and it was a horrible numb thing. Too bloated, too much power assist and rock hard suspension.