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Hi there, Iv just recently purchase my first mx5, its a 2001 nb8b. I got some Bridgestone Potenza RE002 tyres fitted yesterday in 205/45/16 to the standard mazda wheels. I was hoping someone might be able to guide me as to what tyre pressures I should run cold?

On the door and in the book it says 26 psi cold. I have put in about 28 psi cold (actually put in 30 psi but this was warm). Tyre place had 42 psi but this was very hard and vibrated the car quit alot. Plus this morning going to work it was wet and changing lanes it was very twitchy on the lines/markers on the road.

I realise low profile tyres need more air to suction them to the rim but anything above 32 psi cold seems to vibrate the car alot and is very hard on the road, around 28 psi feels very good comfort and handling wise. Plus mx5's arent a heavy car so shouldnt need high tyre pressure?

Whats your thoughts on this?

Also what would be a good pressure to start with on the track (I know weather conditions and track surface play a factor but a starting point would be very helpful

Thanks in adavance

Rhys.

I would say it depends alot on which tyres your using and suspension setup

As stated above Im using Bridgestone Potenza RE002 on stock suspension still. Still in good condition, not bouncy or floaty etc

36psi.

I run 28 psi in my 205/50/15 tires on a na8. I would say go with the factory number, your tire size isn't that different from stock.

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About 32 should be right. You are a smidgen oversize, stock is 205/40 ratio, so you will get a bit more fuel economy and be a little slower compared to the stock or NB 15".

Aussie Stig wrote:About 32 should be right. You are a smidgen oversize, stock is 205/40 ratio, so you will get a bit more fuel economy and be a little slower compared to the stock or NB 15".

nooo... stock is 205/45-16

I have 36PSI in my RE001 tyres. I'd expect the RE002 to be similar.

In the end it's a personal choice. I prefer the sharper handling and better control that a slightly higher pressure offers, versus the nicer ride and gentler response of lower pressures.

Personal taste
I have run anything from 26 to 36 depending on where I was and what I was doing.

Cool thanks guys that helps alot.

Yea stock size on a nb8b is 205/45/16

Just wasnt sure on pressure as there is alot you need to consider including personal preference but being a low profile tyre I didnt want it to run off the rim because I had too little air in it, of course for this to happen you would need to put alot of cornering force through the tyres but just want to be safe.

I thought 26 psi was a bit low but thats what Mazda recommend from the factory for this size so it cant be wrong. Ill just have a play around and see what feels good. Ill go from 26 to 36 and try over a number of days.

cheers

speed freak wrote:Cool thanks guys that helps alot.

Yea stock size on a nb8b is 205/45/16

Just wasnt sure on pressure as there is alot you need to consider including personal preference but being a low profile tyre I didnt want it to run off the rim because I had too little air in it, of course for this to happen you would need to put alot of cornering force through the tyres but just want to be safe.

I thought 26 psi was a bit low but thats what Mazda recommend from the factory for this size so it cant be wrong. Ill just have a play around and see what feels good. Ill go from 26 to 36 and try over a number of days.

cheers

Like me mate, experiment to what you are happy with - took me months to find a suitable pressure for the NB then the NA, both run same tyres but NB runs 36psi and the NA 33psi

See you Saturday for coffee and if it needs it, we can hit it with some polish in the garage

zero00 wrote:

speed freak wrote:Cool thanks guys that helps alot.

Yea stock size on a nb8b is 205/45/16

Just wasnt sure on pressure as there is alot you need to consider including personal preference but being a low profile tyre I didnt want it to run off the rim because I had too little air in it, of course for this to happen you would need to put alot of cornering force through the tyres but just want to be safe.

I thought 26 psi was a bit low but thats what Mazda recommend from the factory for this size so it cant be wrong. Ill just have a play around and see what feels good. Ill go from 26 to 36 and try over a number of days.

cheers

Like me mate, experiment to what you are happy with - took me months to find a suitable pressure for the NB then the NA, both run same tyres but NB runs 36psi and the NA 33psi

See you Saturday for coffee and if it needs it, we can hit it with some polish in the garage

Sounds good mate, looking forward to it It could use some polish.

OK, if it's raining I can chuck the NA out and wheel yours in there - got plenty of polish but NO buffing

Coffee 7.30am BP Southbound if you can make it, no probs if you can't seeing it's a fair drive up. Should catch Kev05 and tbro, depends again on weather, had 21.5mm here late this afternoon in a storm

speed freak wrote:I thought 26 psi was a bit low but thats what Mazda recommend from the factory for this size so it cant be wrong.

You're right it's not wrong, but it is a tyre pressure quoted for what many drivers & passengers find comfortable. Personally, 30PSI (COLD) all around for the road is a good starting point.

93_Clubman wrote:

speed freak wrote:I thought 26 psi was a bit low but thats what Mazda recommend from the factory for this size so it cant be wrong.

You're right it's not wrong, but it is a tyre pressure quoted for what many drivers & passengers find comfortable. Personally, 30PSI (COLD) all around for the road is a good starting point.

Thanks mate, Ill give 30 psi cold a go and see what its like. I like sharp handling but for a daily driver I like things to be a bit smoother and more comfortable. I think Iv got around 34 psi at the moment which its not too bad but its a little stiff especially with early morning cold temps.

On my 2002 experimenting has come up with 28 cold as best. Harder has the front banging on small potholes.
Don't overlook the need to have perfectly set alignment - the little beasts are very sensitive to that!