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I'm thinking of buying some new rims soon, but I'm at a bit of a loss as to what rubber to put on them. These are going on my daily-drive NA6, but I'm also planning on attending regular track days, so I'm after something that has decent wet and dry grip but isn't so soft it wears out after 2 minutes I'm after 205/50/15's, btw.

I was originally thinking Bridgestone RE001's, but after reading about all the trouble people have been having with them, I'm not so sure. What other sort of tyres should I be thinking about, without pushing my student income below the poverty line? I'm expecting to spend ideally about $150 per corner, but I'd consider anything under $200.

kumho ku31
kumho ku36

The Kumho KU36 is a pretty soft compound so since your car is a daily driver, it may not last long at all.
Some places are offering VERY good deals for the Kumho KU31, ie. under $100 each!
Try calling Bob Jane for starters.

Kain wrote: These are going on my daily-drive NA6, but I'm also planning on attending regular track days,

Decide which is more important to you. Daily drive or 'regular' track days.
Just be aware that you cant get a tyre to do both well...
Track tyres can be 2-3 seconds a lap better on the track compared to even the best road tyres, but are noisy, less safe in the wet, and wear out significantly quicker, on the road.

The more regular the track days, the more you'll be let down running road tyres on the track.
The more kms you drive on the road, the more you'll appreciate road tyres.

IMO, If you can, keep an eye out for a 2nd hand set of rims/track tyres to keep for just track use.
Using your road tyres on the track could reduce their life from (eg) 50,000km to 10,000km which means much more frequent replacement at considerable cost and worth considering the spare set, as it could actually SAVE you money.

eg new road tyres every 10K could mean $400 every 6mths. (over 3yrs = $2400)
new road tyres every 50K by using a spare set for track days could mean $600 up front for 2nd hand track rim/tyres and new $400 road tyres only every 3 years ( which over same 3 years is only $1000)

Rascal, you make a very good point, and its something I had been considering already. Unfortunately I'm a firm believer in doing it right the first time, so I'm buying a new set of rims that do everything I want (size, weight, looks etc), which is in this case a set of 15x8 6UL's, rather than cheaper set that may not fulfill all of my criteria. Later on when I've got a real job and can afford to spend more money on my car (as we all like to ) I'm planning on getting a second set of them to use exclusively for the track, as you've suggested.

So at this point, daily driving is more important but I want something won't completely let me down at the track while I wait for track rims. My stock rims have some Maxxis cheapies on them, and the grip is mediocre in the dry, and down-right dangerous in the wet. They're also a total joke at the track. So long as I'm getting something better than those I'll be happy. Like I said, RE001's are exactly what I want in terms of balance of road and track, but I'm worried by the reports I've been reading on the forum. Being a relative tyre noob, I've got no idea what else is out there, hence my original question.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed already!

Hi Kain,
Have you thgought about buying some reasonable tyres to fit on your std rims and have Tyretech buff them down for track work,buff them down when new to say 4mm on the inner edge, as we use to do for the Geminis and HQ's and save your good rims and tyres for DD use.
One tyre that is recieving good reviews here has already been mentioned, the Kumho KU36's, should give reasonable mileage as they are the same wear rate as the re001's.My 001 have done about 8 or 9 track days and probably another 8000ks road use and are only worn on the outer shoulders due to some slack bastard not rotating them often enough

Just my 2c worth


Terry

yeah, my RE001s have done a few track days on a Honda Civic, one on my fat Mondeo, and a couple of Skidpan days.

still have plenty of tread.

once I get a set of rims they will be put onto the MX5 for trackdays/skidpan as well.

I got a set of 205/50r15 ku36's for mine. had them nearly 2 weeks now and seem quite good. they are a bit noisey though. other tyres will be better in the wet but these are aimed more at trackdays so i'll have to wait till i get them on the track to see how they go there.

i have the same 205/50 ku36 tyres, on a 1150kg astina. they'll last 20,000km minimum, including track days. so the tyres should last longer on a 1050kg mx5.

1red5 wrote:The Kumho KU36 is a pretty soft compound so since your car is a daily driver, it may not last long at all.
Some places are offering VERY good deals for the Kumho KU31, ie. under $100 each!
Try calling Bob Jane for starters.

sorry to dig a old post.

1red5, do you still remember where can I get the KU31 for under 100 each? I am after a set now.

Cheers

fecat wrote:1red5, do you still remember where can I get the KU31 for under 100 each? I am after a set now.

Cheers

Apparently several Bob Jane dealers up here in Brisbane were offering them for around $98 each, not including fitting. But that was several months ago now, and may not be applicable to other parts of the country, but couldn't hurt to ring around.

cheers. I will give it a go. thanks

Ditto. Bob Jane quoted me around the $100 mark for KU31's earlier in the year

I rang few Bob Jane stores and the prices are like 169 to 189. I think you guys are referring 15 inch, which they have special at the moment and selling for $109.

I think I should clarify, I am after 205/45/16

I rang Tempe Tyres and they quoted me $110 for the above, the cheapest I have found. However, when I asked them if they have stock, they then tried to sell me the KU16, which they said they have plenty for the same price. But no stock for KU31. I insisted that I can wait. Then they said they would have to order them in and it will cost me $145 instead because of "special order". then I asked them when do they re-stock their tyres so I don't have to pay for the special order price, they couldn't answer me and just said call back in 2 weeks...

they are quite doggy so beware...

for everyone who is also hunting the KU31 or KU31, I found option1garage is by far the cheapest out there. I was quoted the KU31 205/45/16 for $100 per corner and $40 flight to Sydney for set of 4. The KU36 in 215/45/16 is $136 per corner.

Now I am just think the best way to take the new tyres to the shop to get it balanced and fitted. I might need to take few trip to the shop and few trip back home. what a hassle!