mx5cartalk.com

Hey Guys,

Just picked up and auto NC for my wife and it needs tyres.... 205 45 17s...

What would anyone that has one recommend?

Not so interested in it being a race car, but more so safe- and mainly safe in wet conditions.

Cheers
Alex

595 RSRs?

Dann

heard bad things about the wet performance...
few mates run them as front drift car tyres and 1 mate on a monaro streeter but changed them quickly......
cheers

heard bad things about the wet performance...
few mates run them as front drift car tyres and 1 mate on a monaro streeter but changed them quickly......
cheers

KU31's are very good tyres in the wet and priced well. They're better in all conditions than any other similarly priced tyre I've used.

A price step up & people say good thongs about the re002 in the wet but I've not owned a set. I would assume something like a Michelin PS3 would also be good but pricey.

The best I've used in the wet are the Dunlop Z1 Starspecs, especially when new, but it's silly to suggest them for your wife's daily so I would look at the KU31s.

Your best tyres for your purpose will be Michelin PS3. Not cheap but they're easily to best everyday street tyre for your sizing in terms of dry & wet grip and lifetime. Kho KU31s are a cheaper option that are almost as good performance wise, but a bit noisier on the roads.

I'm now using the new Toyo Proxes T1 Sport.
DON'T confuse it with the T1S
May not be available in the 205 but the 215 will fit nicely and correct your speedo to damn near spot on.
I've had them on..though in a 235/40/17, for a couple of months and am very impressed, quiet, stable and amazing grip in both wet and dry.
Not cheap.....but who wants cheap in a tyre!!

Sailor wrote:Not cheap.....but who wants cheap in a tyre!!

Especially when we're talking about a loved one who may or may not have wet weather skills.

I know you’re not interested in a performance tyre for motorsport but it does give you a good clue as to wet weather performance when you see who’s at the pointy end when racing in the standard class.

In my experience over the last 6 years with my NC, Michelin has been the stand out performer in both wet and dry conditions. Sure they’re not cheap but then neither is a life or a very bent car. If you can stop a metre shorter in the wet under emergency braking then you can save a lot of money and repair time.

I’d go for the Michelin PS3 but look at the 215x45 rather than the 205x45 as the 215 is a more popular size so it's priced less than the 205. You also will get a better ride using the 215 as you have a slightly taller side wall.

I don’t know what year NC you have but in the first few years Michelin tyres were fitted to the car when new.

Bridgestone RE001 or RE002

Thanks all for the feedback...

Does anyone have a pic of how a 215 45 will sit on the NC wheel?
I know its not much of a higher wall but does it look odd on a fairly narrow wheel?

calling a few friends for pricing...
The KU31s seem to stack up just about as good as the big guns for what I imagine will be alot less coin!

Noise doesnt worry me, we just drove it back from Syd to Melb with baldish Michies (original from 05) that were mildly screaming but still tollerable!
Its an MX5, needs to be some noise haha

Cheers

alexpav wrote:.... Michies (original from 05)

No wonder you want something with wet weather grip. Tyres this old would be hard and as slippery as a greased pig.

alexpav wrote:calling a few friends for pricing...
The KU31s seem to stack up just about as good as the big guns for what I imagine will be alot less coin!

Well no, chalk and cheese actually.

alexpav wrote:..... but more so safe- and mainly safe in wet conditions.

The Michelins will out perform the Kumho in the wet and dry but if you’re working to a budget then the Kumho’s will be fine.

BTW called into Blairs on the way to work (WORK!!!!!??), they can supply the Toyo Proxes T1 Sport in a 215/45/17 for $220.
A very good price for a very good tyre

Thanks for all the feedback guys (and stopping for the price!)

Have gone with the original size 205s Kumho KU31's

Got em CHEEEEAP so hopefully they live up to the reviews.

Il post some feedback once there on (and once it rains) for anyone else whos considering the same.

Cheers

Alex

Was that through EBay/St.George tyres or is there a better deal going?

Was actually through a friend at a tyre shop....
But selling them I think because have found wider wheels and tyres (unexpected)

As far as the tyres go, at first i didn't like them, they felt like the walls were really soft, however after a small number of KMs they seem to have improved considerably, no idea why but they feel good, grippy and tight.

Cheers
Alex