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Looking to change some treads and having a search through the threads it appears to be narrowed down to the following tyres.

Falken Azenis RT615 (215/40/17s required) very narrow?
Toyo TR1
Michelin PP2
Dunlop SP sport Maxx

Basically looking for

Better traction in dry and wet conditions. The OEM toyos on the SE in the wet are not so great since upping the ponies. Im finding that i have to feather the throttle in the wet and sometimes during dry weather.

Mostly road use

Upto 30k last life.

Budget $200-250 per tyre.

Well from my recent experiences with T1-Rs (215x45x17) on the NC I’d steer clear of them compared to the Michelin Precedas. Whether it’s a product of the NCs suspension being designed for the Michelins or not I don’t know.

After 2,000 kilometres the Toyos have been a bit of a disappointment. I have no problem breaking straight line traction and the turn in is sloppy compared to the Michelin. Price wise they’re the same at around $240 each.

Come to think of it why not do a swap? You take my Toyos and buy some PP2s for me and I’ll throw another $100 into your pocket?

Charlie Brown wrote:Well from my recent experiences with T1-Rs (215x45x17) on the NC I’d steer clear of them compared to the Michelin Precedas. Whether it’s a product of the NCs suspension being designed for the Michelins or not I don’t know.

After 2,000 kilometres the Toyos have been a bit of a disappointment. I have no problem breaking straight line traction and the turn in is sloppy compared to the Michelin. Price wise they’re the same at around $240 each.

Come to think of it why not do a swap? You take my Toyos and buy some PP2s for me and I’ll throw another $100 into your pocket?

Thanks for the offer, however im not likely to get another toyo if there anything like OEM SE toyo rubber. I have managed to secure the following prices for following.

Falken Azenis RT615s $199-
Michelin PP2 $228-
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx $220-

The azenis seem to be highly regarded by the mazdaspeed guys as far as traction is concerned but they are a semi slick road legal tyre which are soft so longevity is not so great.

SP sport maxx is an unknown to me on the mx5, seem to be highly regarded in the euro sports car market. The PP2 seem to be a known as grippy road tyre to the mx5 fraternity with reasonable longevity so I think its safe to say its a safe bet.

The only good thing i can say about the OEM stock rubber is that the 205 are wide enough to offer enough support to stop gutter rash, however pot hole bumps and bumps in general are quite bad. Perhaps not enough tyre flex in the side wall curvature.

How are the 205s on the PP2 in regards to the above.