Tyre Ratings....... help!

[Mazdagirl]

I need a new front tyre.
Do I have to get a pair?
What rating do I need? The backs are 205 45 R16 and the front are 205 45 Z16

I drive my little MX5 quite hard and have a tendancy to corner fast
There are so many makes and models available so I have no idea which are any good.
I don't want budget tyres and I don't want part worn tyres(tsk to the person who recommended them), I want good grippy ones

[Mazdagirl]

What about these? Are these any good?
Michelin 20545R16 83V P/EXALTO 2

Michelin 20545R16 83V P/SPORT 3

[StottyZr]

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyres_For/Mazda/MX5.h...

That could help. Don't worry you only need to replace a single tyre at a time

I think the Michelins come quite high up on the ratings. Probably worth buying.

[GreigM]

You don't have to replace in pairs, however you should match the exact make and model as on the other front wheel - and you should only really replace 1 at a time if it was due to a puncture and the tyres were relatively new...otherwise the imbalance in grip can make the car unstable, particularly under braking. If the existing tyre is say 50% worn, a similarly part-worn tyre may be a better option than a brand new tyre.

[Mazdagirl]

Not sure what make they are but they were both replaced at the same time last year. The kwik-fit man told me they were good for gripping the road.

Given they are both a year old and only 1 has worn low on the outer edge should I still replace just the one? What if I can't get another one like the one I have?

[Aizle]

Uniroyal rainsport or Toyo T1-R seem to be the tyre of choice.

I personally use www.blackcircles.com.

[Mazdagirl]

Aizle said:

Uniroyal rainsport or Toyo T1-R seem to be the tyre of choice.

I personally use www.blackcircles.com.

Thanks. I was trying to get my head arouond blackcircles but couldn't work out how to get a price for some tyres. Was trying to find the BF Goodrich but they all seem to be for off roading :-/

[Aizle]

http://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres/search

Put in the tyre specs and sizes you had at the start.

205
45
R16
V
Fitted or delivered price
Postcode

Shows up uniroyal rainsports which are getting rave reviews at the minute.

[Mazdagirl]

Have ordered Toyo T1R x 2

Thanks for the link and the info

[MX-5 Lazza]

Kwik Fit. That explains a lot. None of your tyres have the right speed rating. They should be V rated. The R rated tyres are for a car with a maximum speed that does not exceed 106mph. The Z rated tyres are for a car with a maximum speed that does not exceed 190mph!!!

If one tyre is wearing on the inside edge then you also need to have the geo sorted. Kwik Fit can't do this. I'm sure someone here will tell you somewhere local that can do this for you. Don't let Kwik Fit sell you an "Alignment" as it won't fix anything.

Kwik Fit will also only sell you whatever crap tyre they currently have deals on and they will change you more than you need to be paying for the pleasure. Remember, most of their customers have boring cars and just ask for the cheapest tyre they have that will fit.

You can replace a single tyre ok but you should try to keep the same tyres across an axle. If the good tyre is more than half worn they it's probably better to replace the pair anyway.

Also, make sure the best tyres are fitted to the rear. Based purely on the speed rating of your current tyres the fronts (Z rated) are probably better tyres than the rears (R rated).

[SimonV8ster]

Fortunatley Kwik Fit won't fit tyres you bring to them , only if you buy them of them so you're OK now - no need to go there !!

[MX-5 Lazza]

SimonV8ster said:

Fortunatley Kwik Fit won't fit tyres you bring to them , only if you buy them of them so you're OK now - no need to go there ever again!!

Fixed for you

[MX-5 Lazza]

Mazdagirl said:

Have ordered Toyo T1R x 2

Thanks for the link and the info

A decent garage will do this for you anyway without you even asking but make sure these new tyres go on the rear