Falken ZE912?

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 10:26 pm

G'day all, has anybody had any experience with the above mentioned tyres? I can get them for $99 (same Bridgestone RE001's) in a 185/60/14. I'm tossing up between them and Kumho KU31's, RE001's and Yoko C Drive's.

Thanks, Andrew.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 10:32 pm

Being in Brisbane, buying Kumhos from Option 1 Garage will be your cheapest option.

KU31 are very good wet and dry tyres. I use them on my daily drive. Have been since 05.

I have lots of mate using the C Drives, and they swear by them also.

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 10:33 pm

They're average. The Kumho's are the best of what you've listed.

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:48 pm

project.r.racing wrote:Being in Brisbane, buying Kumhos from Option 1 Garage will be your cheapest option.

KU31 are very good wet and dry tyres. I use them on my daily drive. Have been since 05.

I have lots of mate using the C Drives, and they swear by them also.

Dropped into Option 1 (saw a silver NA getting some mods done up on the hoist) on the way home from work, KU31 aren't available in 185/60/14 only 185/55/14. That size is about 18mm smaller in in diameter. Too much?

Andrew.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Wed Oct 06, 2010 11:52 pm

smaller diameter = lower gearing = faster acceleration

Seriously, I have 195/50 R15 and love 'em. For $70 (15") it can't be beat.
Did you get a price on them? Might not be as cheap as 15's cause they are less demanded.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:20 pm

18mm decrease is illegal in all states.

195/50R15 for $70. Crazy low prices!

Buy some cheap 15x6.5 on ebay and buy the above tyres.

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:43 am

Haven't tried the ZE912 but had a set of FK452 on our Volvo V50. They had good grip in wet and dry but were extremely noisy (not like R specs but still bad enough). They had a harmonic road hum at around 40km/hr and again at around 80km/hr. I couldn't get rid of them soon enough.

If you want a cheap, high performance tyre in stock 185/60R14, it's hard to go past Bridgestone Adrenalin RE001 for around $110 each. Personally I wouldn't go near the Yokos.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:27 am

OMY005 wrote:KU31 aren't available in 185/60/14 only 185/55/14. That size is about 18mm smaller in in diameter. Too much?

think you'll find the above diameter is 9.25mm smaller

Regie · Postby **Regie** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:37 am

Re001's for the win...well proven with MX5'ers

912 ive had a set and i hated them, stepped up to the fk452 and it was a vast improvement

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 12:59 pm

93_Clubman wrote:
OMY005 wrote:KU31 aren't available in 185/60/14 only 185/55/14. That size is about 18mm smaller in in diameter. Too much?

think you'll find the above diameter is 9.25mm smaller

I found my info from here http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html. Which give s me a SIDE WALL decrease of 9.25mm

Andrew.

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:01 pm

project.r.racing wrote:18mm decrease is illegal in all states.

Thanks for that, I thought it might be the case.

Andrew.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:54 pm

OMY005 wrote:Which give s me a SIDE WALL decrease of 9.25mm

indeed - my bad

must admit didn't realise going from 185/60x14 to 185/55x14 would be illegal

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:10 pm

195/55R14 is another alternative for 14s. It's the stock size for NA8 and is obviously legal on an NA.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:46 pm

stock size for na8 in Australia at least was 185/60x14

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 4:45 pm

Once again, it seems that Techno's article on Mazda MX-5 Gear and Differential Ratios and Tyre Sizes has led me astray! :oops:

Techno wrote:the NA 1.8 litre came with 6-inch rims and 55 profile tyres.

Maybe not all NA8s then, but I thought the Clubman was sold with 195/55R14? At least that's what I seem to recall from discussion with Hammer? Checking the WHEELS article from Jan 1994 I see the 1993 build had 185/60R14 so maybe not all of them then - if any? Maybe NA8s only came with 55 profile in other markets?

According to the +/-15mm diameter rule (RTA and VicRoads), an NA would be legal with 185/60R14 (OEM), 195/55R14 (-7mm), 195/60R14 (+12mm), and 205/55R14 (+4mm). Illegal 14" sizes on an NA include 185/55R14 (-18mm), 205/60R14 (+24mm), and 205/50R14 (-17mm).