Summer Tyres

[raf_gti]

My tyres will need replacing next year so I thought I'd best plan ahead and do my tyre research now.

I've had Michelin Exalto PE2s on a trio of hot hatches and they excelled on all cars, however this time they will be going on a Mk3 MX-5 so I'm not sure if a tyre that apparently excels for hot hatches will be suited to a RWD sportscar.

As a guide the PE2s are about £120, even at Costco and the traditional 'value' sports tyre, the Toyo T1-R is about £65.

I do ~15k a year, a lot on B-roads so longevity has to be a factor as well as being a quality tyre.

I thought this thread would make a change from all the 'what winter tyre for my mapped 335d?' type threads..

[Smike]

I'm not convinced about these summer tyres to be honest. I use winters all round and I've never had a problem getting up hills in EXTREME HOT WEATHER AND SUNSHINE. People should learn to drive




FWIW I think the T1Rs seem to suit light cars like the MX5

Edited by Smike on Tuesday 7th December 21:00

Edited by Smike on Tuesday 7th December 21:14

[roverspeed]

T1R's have a soft sidewall, I have them on my MK1 MX5, but they compliment the very stiff suspension setup.

The soft sidewall makes traction break away very gradual, however they are slightly squirmy but I soon got used to it and the outright grip in the dry is very good, and quite good in the wet.

I think Mk3's are still pretty light cars, so could be fine there too, but I think yours will probably have a much bigger footprint thn my 195/50R15 on 7 inch wide wheels.

Edited by roverspeed on Tuesday 7th December 21:07

[hardcorehobbit]

There was a rwd tyre test in EVO earlier in the year.

If I recall correctly, they used a mk3 MX5 for the testing.. so should be right up your street.

Check on the web, or I'll have a looksie through my collection later.

[John D.]

FWIW PE2s can be had for much less than £120 in 195 or 205/45/16 size if you shop around online. At least you could a year or so ago. Best I managed was £80 fitted. Good tyres.

Smike said:

I'm not convinced about these summer tyres to be honest. I use winters all round and I've never had a problem getting up hills in EXTREME HOT WEATHER AND SUNSHINE. People should learn to drive

Had to be done.

[Zippee]

I'm currently running BF Goodrich G-Force profilers on my T350 and they're great. Loads of grip and they seem to give plenty of feedback. Wish I'd discovered them sooner TBH.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

Zippee said:

I'm currently running BF Goodrich G-Force profilers on my T350 and they're great. Loads of grip and they seem to give plenty of feedback. Wish I'd discovered them sooner TBH.

I am currently running these on the ST and must say I am impressed good feel/grip in dry or wet conditions and handled the white stuff quite well too.

[HellDiver]

Thought about Bridgestone RE050A? I've had them on a few cars, and they were excellent. Even lasted 10k on the front of a 200hp/310lb-ft diesel Astra.

Am thinking about getting them for the Mondeo, I need a couple of summers too, to replace two mismatched ones I ended up with.

[Ullevi]

hardcorehobbit said:

There was a rwd tyre test in EVO earlier in the year.

If I recall correctly, they used a mk3 MX5 for the testing.. so should be right up your street.

Check on the web, or I'll have a looksie through my collection later.

Yes, you're right.

Tested on an MX-5 as well, so pretty tailor-made for OP.

Can be seen on tyrereviews.co.uk:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2010-EVO-Tyre...

Continental Contisportcontact 3 won the test but some interesting alternatives look a decent choice as well.

Edited by Ullevi on Wednesday 8th December 11:31

[ironictwist]

I'm using T1-R's on my Mk1 '5 too...Superb tyres. Go for them.

Mine's still running them at the mo - Shortly being changed to winters...I could keep the T1's on as they've been great so far in handling the conditions but I prefer the confidence that winters give.

Anyway, they're AWESOME in summer & really suit the MX5's well especially in the handling stakes. I used the same tyres on the PHN Alpine Tour I went on earlier in the year & found them exceptional throughout the whole trip giving a nice progressive "break away" on demand & grippy when I needed them to be.

Oh ps - I've been running them on my '5 since I bought it in March...I've covered 26,000 miles in that period. They're now down to the wear markers, everything from B-roads (70 mile commute) to alpine passes, & motorways (now an 80 mile commute). Couldnt fault them.

Edited by ironictwist on Wednesday 8th December 11:40

[raf_gti]

HellDiver said:

Thought about Bridgestone RE050A? I've had them on a few cars, and they were excellent. Even lasted 10k on the front of a 200hp/310lb-ft diesel Astra.

Am thinking about getting them for the Mondeo, I need a couple of summers too, to replace two mismatched ones I ended up with.

They are actually on the car at the moment, they seem pretty good but havn't really had a chance to push them yet, they don't seem quite as compliant as the PE2s I've had in the past though.

Very interesting tyre review, there really wasn't much between any of them.

[TheLurker]

Have you told the insurance company? Your cover will be invalidated otherwise. Didnt you know?



I like T1R's personaly as a fairly cheap tyre. Grip not as good as F1's, but for the price still very good. Also last well.

[OnTheRoof96]

Only thing I'd add is that CSC3s wear extremely well, in addition to being a very good all-round performer. An ideal choice for lots of B-road mile munching, imo.