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Hi All

So I'm in the market for some R-spec tyres for use on my SE.

I'll be running the OE 17 x 7 (Racing Hart) wheels with the standard tyre size being 205/40 17. Obviously they'll be used on the track, but will be driving my car to the track (Wakefield in December) & will likely use them on the street as the car is a weekender. Not overly concerned about the tyre life, but would hopefully be able to get at least 2 track days & some road use out of them.

From my research, it appears you can only get this size in the Toyo R888 & Kumho ECSTA V70A... Disappointing as I had my heart set on something like the Advan A050 which I've previously had experience with on other cars.

Only other option to open up the selection would be to look at a 215/45 17 (Seems to be the smallest size 17 most brands run) but that puts the rolling diameter by almost 5% which doesn't excite me.

So here are my questions:

1) From the Toyo R888 & Kumho V70A which come in the desired standard size, any feed back as to which one is the better tyre? Pricing is almost identical for reference.

2) It is wise to run the 215/45 17 to open up tyre selection? Given the car isn't high power, my initial thoughts is that it would be a negative.

Cheers

If you're driving on the road, get the AD08R in 215/40/17

90% of the performance of a full Rspec, with 100% better streetability.

Edit: oh and, yes, the rolling diameter is marginally larger, but you have an SE so shuddup!

beavis wrote:If you're driving on the road, get the....... 215/40/17....... oh and, yes, the rolling diameter is marginally larger

I met another forum/club member who uses this size tyre on his SE and it makes the Speedo 100% accurate as confirmd by GPS.
Most car's factory Speedos overstate the actual speed.

I think the advantage of running a more modern compound would more than compensate for the disadvantage you get from a marginally larger rolling diameter.

I'd vote for something like an A050 or Z221 in 215/45/17.

The latter option I haven't seen much of in the MX5 world but I love them on my Evo and I just got a fresh set of Z221's in that size on my 17x7 stock NC wheels

.
Bargain for you here:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=65666[/color]

beavis wrote:If you're driving on the road, get the AD08R in 215/40/17

90% of the performance of a full Rspec, with 100% better streetability.

Edit: oh and, yes, the rolling diameter is marginally larger, but you have an SE so shuddup!

I've been considering those as the "on paper" rolling diameter difference is under 1.5% from stock & I've heard good things. Pricing on them is reasonable as well.

Dan wrote:I think the advantage of running a more modern compound would more than compensate for the disadvantage you get from a marginally larger rolling diameter.

I'd vote for something like an A050 or Z221 in 215/45/17.

The latter option I haven't seen much of in the MX5 world but I love them on my Evo and I just got a fresh set of Z221's in that size on my 17x7 stock NC wheels

You & John did a good job of talking those up & was oh so keen until I saw the sizes.

Still not keen on the larger rolling diameter difference & have gotten some mixed feedback from those I've spoken to. Really confused as to whether it's a good option.

davekmoore wrote:.
Bargain for you here:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=65666[/color]

If only I was in Melbourne aye! Wasn't a tyre I was looking at, but the price is right.

wasabi wrote:

beavis wrote:Edit: oh and, yes, the rolling diameter is marginally larger, but you have an SE so shuddup!

I've been considering those as the "on paper" rolling diameter difference is under 1.5% from stock & I've heard good things. Pricing on them is reasonable as well.

davekmoore wrote:.
Bargain for you here:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=65666[/color]

If only I was in Melbourne aye! Wasn't a tyre I was looking at, but the price is right.

1.5% bigger rolling diameter makes an SE speedo exactly accurate according to my two different GPSs.

Reckon the tyres I have on offer would be $450 delivered to your door.

To your original question, the V70a's are a second and a half faster than the R888 around Wakefield.

A050s are half a second quicker again.

If your want to go quick, the answer of which tyre is obvious.

Why not consider getting a set of 16" rims just for the track? Tyres are cheaper and will offset the price of the rims.

And before others throw up "Nittos are cheaper", if they die from heat after one event and by the fourth event are equal to your road tyres in lap times, you need to head out and buy another set. Where's the economic logic in that? Buy a decent set to start with and save over the long run.

^^^

Landed up going for the V70A to begin with... Found a thread on the forum (Rather old & came up when I did a Google search) & they seemed to get rated fairly well. As this is my first time at Wakefield in the car, I wanted a quicker tyre, but I will likely spend a lot of time feeling out the car before I really get to the level I'll be seeking the quickest tyre possible.

Well aware the A050's are one of the best & fastest (If not the best & fastest) R-Spec getting around, but just got really turned off about the incorrect rolling diameter.

Now that I know a bit more about the R-Spec sizes that are available - Used to looking at much larger sizes where there are a greater selection - 16's look to be the way to go. If I can find the right offset, I should be able to run a slightly wider tyre while still keeping the rolling ratios close to the original.

wasabi wrote:......16's look to be the way to go. If I can find the right offset, I should be able to run a slightly wider tyre while still keeping the rolling ratios close to the original.

Here you go!

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... d=d3rMPnhM

Note: 15" doesn't work with the NB SE brakes but 16" do.

Nevyn72 wrote:

wasabi wrote:......16's look to be the way to go. If I can find the right offset, I should be able to run a slightly wider tyre while still keeping the rolling ratios close to the original.

Here you go!

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... d=d3rMPnhM

Note: 15" doesn't work with the NB SE brakes but 16" do.

Not entirely true. Some 15s do not fit. I have on 15" NB wheels atm.

and1 wrote:Not entirely true. Some 15s do not fit. I have on 15" NB wheels atm.

I was referring specifically to the RPF1 Enkei's mate.

There are actually lots of 15" options that do fit, I just want to point out to the OP the 16" version is ok in case they came across a comment that they couldn't use these wheels on the SE.

I've actually got 15's (Enkei J Speeds) on the car at present which is what I run on the streets - Higher side walls are much more pot hole friendly, especially when you car is pretty low ;)

Have been told that 15's aren't great on the SE for track work, thus why I'm using the stock 17's since I had them already, but seems like 16's (Being the normal stock size for NB's) seem to have a greater tyre selection & are that bit cheaper to purchase.

If I land up getting well into track work with the SE (Originally bought for motorkhanas remember) I'll seriously investigate my rim options.

I'm sure that Emilio, the creator of 6ULs, would disagree with the 16" rims being bad for SEs

...comment (and most SE/MSM guys)