16' tyres, advice sought

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:25 pm

The comment about the roadholding and braking made by Ben is right in my view. The MX5 is well ahead of most other vehicles so stopping faster or handling is its virtue. For many the hard stop is likely to make you to wonder whether the SUV or old clunker behind you has any chance of stopping before adjusting the length of your car! As for the best tyres that is not a very meaningful description. For many people driving and maintaining a car has to be balanced with cost, durability and roadholding for typical driving style. Fact is that the "performance" tyres are seen as a niche market and an ideal opportunity for extracting an excessive amount of money from your wallet. There is a much more competitive market for more common tyres as many consumers are price conscious and expect acceptable handling and durability without a silly price. Comments such as $+220 per tyre and 30km life is expensive for a light weight car - it compares very unfavourably with many other vehicles.

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:33 pm

Thank you again for all of your advice everyone. I think i've decided that at this stage I'm going to wear out the 14' yoko's I have now and then replace them with some 14' Bridgestone adrenalin re001's. I think that the $400 saving and the added performance is worth the reduction in the car's visual appeal. I'll start ringing around for prices soon. I will keep the 16's and see what the future holds for them, although I'm sad to take them off as they look so good!

Thanks again for your advice, especially James, Phil and Nathan for swaying me to the 14' side, although I'll probebly run the 16's for everyday driving again in the near future.

Fatty · Postby **Fatty** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:45 pm

sounds like a good plan ben. nothing wrong with having a spare set of wheels in storage for later on...... i have 3 sets to choose from atm (was 4 until recently) and i think it's a good thing to experiment with to find what works best for you.

FYI when my current daily driver c-drives wear out i'm going for the adrenalins too, seems like a good choice from all reports.

if you're looking for somewhere to buy them / get them fitted i can highly recommend reservoir tyrepower but it's probably a bit too much of a drive for you being from the other side of the city. but they look after the mx5 club guys and gave me a club discount last time i was there.

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:02 pm

Thanks mate, I'm really begining to like the car on the 14's, it just has more feel, and it's a bit quicker too

The tyres on in probebly have about 2000 kms left in them so i'll run them until they are gone and then get the adrenalins. Resevoir is about an hours drive there so I may give that a miss, although i'll call anyway to check prices with them incase its signifigantly cheaper.

Cheers,
Ben

wun911 · Postby **wun911** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:46 pm

Dont worry about the looks you dont see them when your driving anyway.

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:17 am

Thanks Wun, you make a fine point

I just got a price on the 14's from my local bridgestone tyre centre, they are $114 each fitted and balanced ($109 with the RACV discount) as they are on special at the moment ($121 normally). Seems like great value to me. However, the only issue I have is that they are made it Australia as some of the post in this thread are a bit scarey viewtopic.php?f=30&t=33410&hilit=re001

However, I'll still buy them as they are still the best out there in that price range. I still cant belive how expensive 16' rubber is in comparison too :shock:

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:56 pm

wun911 wrote:Dont worry about the looks you dont see them when your driving anyway.

Does it save weight to leave out apostrophes and letters?

Ben: I think you've made the right choice; but I would stay well away from the Aussie RE001. Have a look at other tyres if you can't get the Jap Spec RE001. I've seen the chunks missing from NMX's tyres first hand - I'm never buying that brand.

Boags

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:52 pm

Boags wrote:
Ben: I think you've made the right choice; but I would stay well away from the Aussie RE001. Have a look at other tyres if you can't get the Jap Spec RE001. I've seen the chunks missing from NMX's tyres first hand - I'm never buying that brand.

Boags

Great.... Any more opinions? Perhaps I should start a separate thread to get more opinions on this... I've seen the photo of the re001's you are refering too, although I wonder if it was only an isolated case of a bad batch.

Edit: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34421