Tyre profile size for Nb series 1

simie2014 · Postby **simie2014** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 9:42 am

Hi guys. I'm up for four new tyres for my recently acquired Nb. It has standard 15x6 in rims. I believe 195 width is the maximum I can use. 205 may foul the guards?? What is the minimum and maximum profile tyre that can be legally fitted?50 profile seems common?
Also, any recommendations for tyre make choice. Car will be used on the road not track...at this stage. Still learning the car. Thanks for your comments and interest in the past on this site. Mx5 owners are a happy little family on here it seems. Also, again...can anyone recommend a Mx5 club that I could join? I live in the Newcastle/ Maiand area. Cheers I advance. Simie

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 10:39 am

195/50x15 was the stock tyre on the NB8A 15" rim. Bridgestone RE002 are fairly popular.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=56956

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 11:44 am

Hunter chapter of the MX5 Club of NSW

Never had anything to do with that chapter in particular, but I would assume they're pretty similar (ie: good) to the other chapters around the state.

ED_MX5 · Postby **ED_MX5** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:08 pm

Depending if your using it as purely as a weekender fun car or everyday work car.
I can suggest two tyres that have worked very well for me.
I have used the Bridgestone RE002 tyres before on another car. They were very good street tyres and lasted a fair while. Very predictable turn in and good warning for breakaway.

On my 5 I have the Falken RT615K which are an amazing tyre. VERY grippy, unless your a tool you won't lose grip on the street. A few mates of mine have used them in high horsepower cars on track and still love them. Very good in the wet for a competition based tyre. I am perfectly comfortable with them in pissing down rain and still driving fairly quick, which I would be afraid to do with other competition based tyres. Tread wear will kill you if it's an everyday car. They are not made to last, they are made to stick.

With a bit of camber a 205 should be ok if your not too low.
I have 205 on mine, not lowered yet, standard suspension and I'm fine. Spoke to my mate who does wheel alignment, reckons just some light camber when you lower and you can still fit 205's. Can anyone here confirm that definitely?

simie2014 · Postby **simie2014** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:18 pm

Hey Fastdriver. Thanks for the reply. My NB Series 1 has standard suspension setup. It isn't lowered. Do I have to change camber setting to fit 205? If I don't change the camber will it scrap the tyres?

ED_MX5 · Postby **ED_MX5** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:20 pm

With standard suspension, absolutely fine.
That's how I have mine at the moment.

AndrewM · Postby **AndrewM** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:57 pm

I've got Hankook Ventus Concept 2s in the OEM size - seem pretty good and can be had for ~100 ea if you shop around... more of a value for money tyre I suppose...

http://www.hankooktire.com/global/passenger-cars-tires/hankook-ventus-v2-concept-2-h457.html

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 2:48 pm

225 fits on a 15x8 +36 rim for a NA. Nb has slightly bigger guards so will be no issue.

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hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 2:02 pm

195/50/15 is the standard sizing.

I'm not sure where you read that 205 will clip the guards, that isn't correct.
205 will fit without an issue, I have had 205s on my car for years and they never hit the guards, or anything.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 2:05 pm

simie2014 wrote:Hey Fastdriver. Thanks for the reply. My NB Series 1 has standard suspension setup. It isn't lowered. Do I have to change camber setting to fit 205? If I don't change the camber will it scrap the tyres?

on factory wheels 205 width tyres will fit with no issues, normal height, lowered, camber, etc.

The only time you would find 205s hitting is if you have also put on different wheels (with a lower offset)

I had a set of 205/50/15 fitted to 15x8+25 wheels on my NB for a year or so and the tyres only just clipped the guards, but that was because those wheels sat further out than is normal, the exact same tyres on a 15x7+38 wheel never touched a thing.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Sat Dec 06, 2014 8:53 am

Yeah 205s will fit fine. Plenty of space. Just like Lindsay Lohans head.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Dec 06, 2014 10:50 am

ED made a good point about wear. An MX5 is a superior handling car and with good quality tyres the car is usually better than the driver. I am not sure if one can pick a difference between the sizes referred to as far as on road driving is concerned. Its actually a bit of a plus to be able to buy a good tyre at a good price and that often occurs based on the tyre size popularity- i.e. fits a range of vehicles.