Michillens XM1+

[mxfive95]

Im getting these tyres fitted to my 95 na 2mrw on the stock 14 rims for $150 per corner and want to know if anyone has heard good or bad thing about them or weather i should get Yoki c-drives or bridgstone adrenalins instead, all iv heard is that the michellins will last longer and grip better.

Also i am getting them to give me a little bit of camber on the front so can anyone recommend how much camber would be good for tristy roads like the reefton spur?

Any advice would be much appreciated,

Cheers Craig.

[AJ]

hiya Craig, mate..............the XM1's are a great tyre, but more designed at your pedestrian shopping trolley, they are no way, no how a performance tyre, which is more what you should be looking at for an MX5, I'm surprised that a reputable tyre dealer would recommend XM1's for an MX5.

however it's your decision, the C drives or adrenalins would probably be a better option, or one of michelins more performance oriented tyre.

Cheers,
Clive

[manga_blue]

I've had these on other cars and they were simply dreadful. I'd advise that they are are totally inappropriate tyre for an MX5. They are among the hardest tyres available, so you will sacrifice grip, suppleness and comfort in return for high mileage alone.

I'm not bagging Michelin. Michelin are a major global brand with a very large range of tyres available to meet every neeeda and budget. These ones happen to be aimed at high mileage budget buyers, not sports car owners.

There are many, many suitable tyres discussed on this forum, including Michelin PP2, Bridgestone Adrenalin RE001, Yokie C and S Drives, etc, etc, etc. Search the site, but don't get Michein taxi tyres.

I would also question the knowledge and motives of your tyre dealer. Anyone with any concern for your continuing custom should have steered you away from these.

[Fatty]

the c drives and adrenalins are both cheaper, and well respected on the mx5.

c-drives are not really a performance tyre but they are capable enough in that regard, and they are great in the wet. they are comfortable and quiet, a really good touring tyre. i've never tried adrenalins but from all reports they are a great performance tyre at a cheap as chips price.

i know nothing about the xm1's but if it was my money, i'd be going with something that is a proven performer.

have a look in the tech archives for some alignment settings too.

[SPy vs. SPy]

In April 2006 I fitted the XM1's to the Lexus, approx 20000 Km later they look 1/2 worn and still grip as hard as an ES300/Camry will let them, beats me why the original Pilot's were original fitment. That being said, 5 year old completely rooted pilots still held on better than a few other tyres I've dríven on when new.

One month later, I replaced my beloved Dunlop FM-901's on the 5 with a set of Michelin PP2's. I'd say there was a bee's dick between them performance wise, with the bonus that the Michelins were 10000000 times quieter to drive on, and I got 40+ thousand kms from them as well. Not more than a week ago my beloved PP2's were removed for a new pair of PP2's I'll be gutted by the time another 40thou goes past and Michelin will most likely have seen fit to kill off the PP2's, however, I'm already saving for a pair of PP3's

I also put C-Drives on my Mazda2, there was no way that chassis was going to out perform those either. However it can rain a lot here, and I do a lot of driving (well not as much as AJ) so safety and performance out rank cost on any of my cars.

I may also add that the same tyres held me on the correct side of a pedestrian crossing when some "flower head" in a shitbox corolla (with ten thousand year old retreads) destroyed said pristine 4 year old Mazda2.

Whatever you put on, take it to a good aligner that knows MX-5's. The car is so sensitive to a tweak this way or that way that it will make good tyres feel like sh*t, and bad tyres feel much better than they really are.

[PUR157]

When the family Civic sprung a flat, we got the XM1+ to replace it... from what I remember the main selling point according to the literature was economy (mileage I guess?) so all in all not a very performance oriented tyre (also we got it for $150 for a single tyre for a 16" wheel so you might wanna shop around... save yourself a few dollars?)

I can personally attest to the tyre life of the Yoko C drives though, my MX5 is currently clad in said tyre, done about 20000km and look to be about half way
$140/corner about a year and a half ago for a set of 4

The consensus over the Adrenalins is that they are a great performance tyre... the tyre life however I can't say

Just from left of field abit, my friend had relatively good experiences with his Marangoni Zeta Lineas... they donned his Integra Type R until he sold it
Just another one to throw into the mix

Are you in a rush Craig?

[Steampunk]

If you can't spell it, don't buy it

[PUR157]

I can spell Nankang and Ling Long quite easily...

Initially I thought that of the Marangonis as well... but my friend told me they were quite popular over in Europe as a touring type tyre
had a snoop around and they seem to be quite reputable
Just not very widely known...

[NMX516]

If you can't spell it, don't buy it

So 1red5, you would back me up in saying that the OP shouldn't buy bridgestone RE001's then?!

Kumho seem to have some interesting tyres in their range at very good prices.... That's of course if you haven't gone out today and bought the XM1+'s

[Steampunk]

How about a set of Roadstone tyres? Doesn't THAT name inspire you?
But yeah, back on topic, Bridgestone RE001 are cheaper and better, and Kumho has a new one called the Ecsta XS which seems great value for money, but not sure if they make 14" sizes.

[mxfive95]

Damn Thanks for all your advice fellas but unfortunately i didn't get time to check it before i went to the tyre place as i dont have the net ATM

i ended up getting the XM1+ and the seem a great tyre in day to day driving (compared to my bald goodyear regatas ) so will be testing the out at the reefton spur this weekend

If they turn out to be really crap on the twistys then i think il invest in a set of 15'' wheels and better rubber for fun and keep these for my daily comute.

Anyone interested in doing the reefton this weekend?

[Moto]

You'll be lucky if your allowed to drive reefton any time soon, and you may not even want to.