Who's running 14s, what tyres do you have?

[Eighteeteewhy]

I've managed to pick up a set of the original 14s for my car, not the daisys but the Enkis(sp)

What tyres did these have as standard or is there a better tyre that is preferable?

I believe they were 195-60/14, is it worth sticking to this size or going wider/lower profile?

Thanks

@

[MX-5 Lazza]

I believe standard 14" size is 185/60/14.

[rotarymazda]

I have 195/55/14 on mine (Toyo T1R).

Same rolling radius so no speedo issues.

[Pete Franklin]

Tyres are a pain in this wheel size I used to be able to get goodyear eagle f1 in this size but not any more. none of the decent tyre manufacturers seem to make this size now and the remaining good tyres are stupidly expensive.

As Rotary says the 195 55 14 toyos are a decent bet but pricy in this size or maybe 185 60 14 falken ZE 912? They are a pretty good tyre from experience and are half the price.

[RichTBiscuit]

I have 185/60/14 Michelin energy savers.

Brilliant tyres - you go everywhere sideways

[St. Anger]

185/60 on the front and 195/60 on the back. Very planted, but the speedo is slightly out.

[DocJock]

Kumho make a good 14 tyre.

[vrsmxtb]

Yoho A460, or something like that, was the tyre desgned for the orginal MX5 n 185/60/14 sze. Camskill seem to have some in stock, but pricey.

Other decent ones worth considering from the research I've done are Dunlop SP Fast Response, Falken ZE912, Uniroyal RainExperts.

I'm trying Dunlops on mine in a month or so as it's a good weather car.

[GC8]

St. Anger said:

185/60 on the front and 195/60 on the back. Very planted, but the speedo is slightly out.

Why? This encourages understeer - all youre doing is spoiling the vehicles handling.

[St. Anger]

GC8 said:

St. Anger said:

185/60 on the front and 195/60 on the back. Very planted, but the speedo is slightly out.

Why? This encourages understeer - all youre doing is spoiling the vehicles handling.

Genuine mistake. I left my mother to take the car for two new rears while I was at Uni one day. Left her with strict instructions, matching tread patterns in the correct size (185/60/R14).

At least she got the matching patterns bit right.

I must disagree with the spoiling the handling part though, it feels a bit more balanced than it did before although it is admittedly a bit more difficult to get the back end out. When provoked enough, it will step out, and when it does I find it very progressive and less "bitey".

[GC8]

I see.

I think that the improvement is strictly subjective though...

[St. Anger]

Indeed, the rears won't last very long anyway!

[Eighteeteewhy]

Thanks for the help guys, I think I'm going for the Dunlop SP Sport. I spoke to my tyre guy and he can do them for just over £50 a corner.

[MX-5 Lazza]

If they are anything like the Dunlop Sport SP2000 that my Mk1 originally came with then avoid. They are atrocious tyres!

[Eighteeteewhy]

I meant Dunlop SP Fast Response, they seem highly rated?

[skinny]

i always meant to try them, before i got the michelin pilot exalto 2 instead. i still reckon they're worth a go

[VladD]

There's an interesting calculator here

[vrsmxtb]

Eighteeteewhy said:

I meant Dunlop SP Fast Response, they seem highly rated?

They just came 2nd in one of the big German tyre tests, although in a bigger wheel size test.

[MX-5 Lazza]

vrsmxtb said:

Eighteeteewhy said:

I meant Dunlop SP Fast Response, they seem highly rated?

They just came 2nd in one of the big German tyre tests, although in a bigger wheel size test.

And probably in a bigger & heavier car. They usually use something FWD too. Not saying they aren't good tyres, just that tyre comparisons/reviews in magazines need to be read with the test car in mind.

[vrsmxtb]

MX-5 Lazza said:

And probably in a bigger & heavier car. They usually use something FWD too. Not saying they aren't good tyres, just that tyre comparisons/reviews in magazines need to be read with the test car in mind.

True, but surely a basic indication of general performance. I guess 5's benefit from softer tyres, being quite light and agile?

OP, whatever you get, don't get Sime Monza's unless you want to swap ends, sorry... practice oversteer.... in the wet!