XL/reinforced tyres on lightweight sports car?

[Craikeybaby]

I need some tyres for my MR2 Roadster, most tyres available in the stock sizes (185/55/15 and 215/45/16) seem to be XL/extra load/reinforced rated, which seems unnecessary for such a light car.

Unfortunately these days performance tyres seem to start at 17” or 18”.

[Kawasicki]

XL doesn’t define how heavily built a tyre is. It just means the tyre can safely carry a certain load at certain speeds with a certain tyre pressure.

If a tyre company doesn’t have a problem passing that test with a tyre as it is, then often they will just stick that designation on the sidewall anyway, without changing anything else in the tyre.

It also saves the tyre company from having to stock two different tyres in rare/unusual sizes.

I really wouldn’t let it put me off a tyre.

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks, that is useful to know.

[Merry]

I could be spouting absolute nonsense here but I'm sure I've read somewhere about it being prefable to put something with a stiffer sidewall on a mid engined vehicle.

Could that rating actually be the official requirement for the car despite its weight?

Feel free to call me out on it if its a load of balls.

[Kawasicki]

Merry said:

I could be spouting absolute nonsense here but I'm sure I've read somewhere about it being prefable to put something with a stiffer sidewall on a mid engined vehicle.

Could that rating actually be the official requirement for the car despite its weight?

Feel free to call me out on it if its a load of balls.

Stiffer sidewalls on the rear of a mid engined car is a good idea, definitely not nonsense.

XL doesn’t mean stiffer sidewalls though. Look at your owners manual, or maybe just your tyre pressure label. Keep it simple. If you can only get an XL version, don’t worry about it. I would recommend buying decent tyres for mid engined cars if you intend to drive it hard.

[Craikeybaby]

Yes, stiffer sidewalls are better for the MR2, but the reinforced tyres are reinforced on the tread, rather than the sidewalls.

Yokohama AD08RS seem to be the go to tyre - available in correct size/ratings and has stiff sidewalls, but as I am more likely to drive in cold conditions than on track I was looking for other options that may suit my requirements better.