New rear tyres

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:09 am

Have to put some new rears on my 97 SR Ltd. Has been on Bridgestone G3's (Dunlop Direzzas on the front). 15 inch rims. My usual supplier tells me 15" directionals are hard to find. What does anyone recommend? I need something that isn't too harsh for everyday use but will hang on when I go for a spirited drive. Need something which is available on the North Shore.

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:30 am

I have 205/50/15 nitto asymetricals on my NA and 195/50/15 directional Toyo T1R's on the NB and both are spirited grippy tyres.The Toyo's have been used on the track too without any problems althought as with most tyres once they are worn they are not so good in the wet.

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:36 am

From the LTSA website

Directional tyres

If fitted the wrong way:
in the wet, the tyre's tread pattern will effectively dam up water and reduce grip
the tyre could destabilise your car when travelling at high speed.

If moving these tyres from one side of your car to the other, the tyres must be removed from the rims and turned around so that they will rotate in the correct direction when fitted to the other side of your car.

Asymmetric tyres

Some high performance tyres have asymmetrical treads to provide improved handling and performance. These tyres have an inside and an outside tread pattern so that the pattern is not symmetrical across the tread width and must be fitted to match one particular side of the tyre with the corresponding side of the rim, as marked on the tyre. If moving these tyres from one side of your car to the other the tyres must not be removed from the rims and turned around as this will create a tyre/rim mismatch

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:46 am

I have 195/15/50 directional Toyo T1Rs on the car all round. Not the biggest fan of them atm compared to my old 195/14/60 Bridgestones. They're grippy in straight lines though so I suspect my wheel alignment is out which is why my cornering grip has gone (new wheels, different offset)?

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:47 am

Thanks for that - I only have them fitted by professionals and always check the direction after. Heard anything about Kumhos?

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 5:09 pm

I just chucked a set of TOYO TEO Plus all round the MX5 on Monday but I havent used it yet to see how they grip.
Will be doing 500km on Sunday so we will see how they go

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:43 pm

Stevo wrote:I just chucked a set of TOYO TEO Plus all round the MX5 on Monday but I havent used it yet to see how they grip.
Will be doing 500km on Sunday so we will see how they go

i put a set of these on my mums swift...

HK_Fooey · Post by **HK_Fooey** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:35 pm

I'd head into Megatyre in Browns Bay.

Check out the Hankook V12 Evo K110, S1 Evo K107 or the S1 Evo2 K117 if they're got them.

Teo Plus are a comfort/touring tyre. More emphasis on quieter ride and longer mileage, although shouldn't be disastrous grip wise.

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 4:06 pm

Hi guys

I need some more help, please. Couldn't get directional at all - no more Toyos or Kumhos or anything for the 15 inch rim so I tried a set of non-directional Kumhos. They are truly awful and have turned a beautifully-handling little car into something like the automotive equivalent of the HMS Ark Royal. The front turns in and the back... thinks about it for long enough for you to start correcting, then eventually makes its mind up to follow, by which time you are in the process of over-correcting. You go round the corner in a series of lurches and straight lines. It's made cornering more exciting, but only because you're not sure which end is going to come out first. Hardly the typical MX5 experience.

The tyre place will replace them, no problem, but they are as stuck as I am.

So... who had bought tyres for 15 inch rims RECENTLY and what experiences have they had? Or who knows of a secret stock of Bridgestone GIIIs or Dunlop Direzzas? The importers don't.

I can't believe I am the first to strike this problem - if I am, there are going to be a lot of unhappy people in the club soon when their turn comes.

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 4:24 pm

Damn... and that's why I didn't like my 14s... I guess they've expanded up to the 15s?

Skilfil · Post by **Skilfil** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 5:01 pm

Surely you can still get Toyo T1R's in 15's? I'm getting a set in 195/50/15..

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 5:38 pm

Definately can get T1R's. Can also get RE001/RE11/RE002 which are great tyres. For something relatively cheap, look at Hero HZ1. I have been running mine for 2000km of spirited driving now (195/55/15 or 205/50/15 available). Can't break traction in the dry easily (from standing and dumping the clutch I can, moving, not a chance), in the wet I can light them up in first or 2nd from standing, not if im moving already but they still handle great for a non top level directional.

harlansmart · Post by **harlansmart** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 5:56 pm

Sure I know very little, its agreed, but looking now I see attached to my hubs are rims fitted w/T1-R's so snapfrozen is correct, available for certain still.

I also know you can real decent deals on NZH, lots of good JDM rims in 4 x 100 and so you can avoid advanti/rota/konig etc 'copy rims' or hard crappy tires: i.e. the DZ 101 linked to below just for 1 example, but again its agreed I know nothing ok

http://nzhondas.com/wheels/149690-4x-du ... -15-a.html

HK_Fooey · Post by **HK_Fooey** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 6:25 pm

So you asked for advice, received it (from many corners) then promptly ignored it? If your supplier can't find something suitable I'd shop somewhere else - and you haven't even said what model Kumho?!

T1Rs:
http://www.adenstyreshop.co.nz/product_ ... ts_id=2232

http://www.hyper.co.nz/drive/product/de ... ted=163676

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 6:53 pm

Stevo wrote:I just chucked a set of TOYO TEO Plus all round the MX5 on Monday but I havent used it yet to see how they grip.
Will be doing 500km on Sunday so we will see how they go

The Toyos TEO's handled very well, I couldnt get either end to break free. They have a slightly softer sidewall than the previous Potenza RE-01 which means softer ride therefore a little more flex on the corners but still handled very well indeed.http://www.adenstyreshop.co.nz/advanced ... 4&x=22&y=4
I would happliy use them again

harlansmart · Post by **harlansmart** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:18 pm

RE-11's in 195/55R15

http://nzhondas.com/wheels/149543-4x-po ... -15-a.html

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 8:10 pm

Harlan, thanks for that. I don’t actually want to change wheels as it’s on the originals and I am very happy with the original look of the limited edition.

HK Fooey, I didn’t ignore the advice but at the time I had to get new tyres to get the warrant I had had advice that the Toyo’s aren’t so good in the wet (and it might rain again one day!) and that another member isn’t happy with them compared to the Bridgestones – which is what I am replacing. I didn’t have time to wait for the feedback on the TEO Plus, which I now have and will consider. Although I’m concerned by the softer tyrewalls and the fact that they are a comfort/touring tyre. Have heard some bad things from others about the Hankooks which I let put me off.

Now, thanks to the good people of this board I have a lot more info and, thanks to having a roadworthy (albeit a lot less safe) set of tyres on the back of the car, a bit more time to find a better solution.

Very happy to hear any more feedback.

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:11 pm

I got my rims & 15" nitto's from Mag & Turbo in Wairau Rd.They ride way better than the NB with Toyo's on,BUT!!! my wheel alignment is set for spirited road/track days.Maybe you need to check yours?

Post by **jif** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:15 am

We're running Yokohama A-drives on the the bB (195/65x15) but shorter mx5 friendly sizes should be easily find-able. They ride nicely and grip well too. Got them from Bruce Gemmel tyres in Glen Innes.

You get what you pay for

so ... maybe try some Yokohama Advan neovas - OE tyres on the Elise ! Looks like Hyper and Vivid has them.

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Monty · Post by **Monty** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:20 pm

Hi Wideopen throttle, I have just fitted 15inch wheels and Nitto asymetrical tyres to my NA. Fitter recommended 44psi but I'm not sure I like the feel of it. What pressure do you have in yours?

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 4:52 pm

36psi from cold...maybe will run lower in summer....if your tyres are a lower profile then you may need to run more pressure.

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:04 pm

Thanks for that. Same profile as yours. Will report back.

marcellarius · Post by **marcellarius** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 10:39 pm

Toyo T1R, Bridgestone RE002, Dunlop Direzza DZ101, BF Goodrich g-force sport; all good tyres although getting hard to find in smaller sizes.

I'd definitely recommend finding someone who will put in the effort to get the right tyres for you. I've been really happy with the service from Steve at Research Tyres down here in Hamilton.

Any particularly good shops up in Auckland?

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 12:02 am

I am not a tyre expert by any means, but I did have an interesting conversation with the guy at tyremaster here in whangarei....

In a nutshell he was saying that he likes to run his tyres between 30-35 psi and he said he found it amusing that some people run higher psi when (in his opinion) higher psi made a harder ride and made the tyres wear out faster due to less surface contact.

marcellarius · Post by **marcellarius** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:15 pm

I often run mine (albeit 185/60/14) down ~28 for normal driving. With my Tein dampers that helps cushion the shitty ride at low speeds on anything less than perfect tarmac

New rear tyres

New rear tyres

New rear tyres

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