I recently bought a mark3 launch edition MX5 and had the Mazda dealer put new tyres on the back.He used a make I hadn't heard of - 'Federal' - and now I appear to have now grip in the wet with the back end sliding allover the place with minimal provocation.
I am going to ask him to substitute them - any ideas what I should ask for ?
|
Had exactly the same problem with my 1990 MK1 mx5. I replaced them with a set of Goodyear Hydragrips and the wet and dry grip is now fantastic.
Mark
|
|
|
Which Federal tyre is it please?
You could do worse than have a look see whats fitted to new MX5's, and request those.
The dealer may baulk at paying more than £40 a corner, if he does you know what to do when the car needs servicing or similar don't you.
If it were me i'd be wanting Vredestein Sportrac 3 (or Ultrac), reasonably priced and always score very highly in tests, but i believe they were pipped by Goodyears Hydragrip recently, however the Good's are likely to be expensive.
Toyo T1R's don't budge at all in the wet on my RWD for another choice, even cold and no wheelspins either, not quiet though, can't have everything i s'pose.
|
|
The 565.Thanks for the advice - I'll use your suggestions when I talk to the dealer !
|
|
|
|
I can second the recommendation for the Toyo TR1's. I have all four on my MX5 MK3 2007 Sport.
They are a popular choice on the MX5 forums.
|
...and now I appear to have no grip in the wet with the back end sliding allover the place with minimal provocation...
Isn't that what you want?
Sounds fun to me.
|
Hi Nicholas, congrats on your new car. Hope you enjoy it. May I ask a potentially impertinent question and indeed apologise for it in advance ? I was just wondering if you have had a RWD sports car before ? Only ask as it will feel quite a bit different if you haven't. It will step out a bit if you want it to and maybe sometimes when you don't until you get the hang of it. This can be unnerving at first but can also become slightly addictive in due course.
Apologies again if I'm completely on the wrong track but it might not be so much the tyres but more the nature of the beast.
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 13/08/2009 at 20:18
|
|
Forgot to mention / ask. Have you checked the tyre pressures since the new ones were fitted ? If they are to hard or soft it would noticeably affect the handling on a lightweight car.
|
Have you checked the tyre pressures since the new ones were fitted ?
Good thought Humph, and if the Mazda's tyre pressure chart is anything like MB's it's not easy to decipher....the primary pressure given is for speeds in excess of 130mph and you are supposed to deduct 4psi for normal running, kinda wrong way round for a label in English..;)
|
|
|
|
Yes,that was my first thought - 29psi all round.
|
|
|
|
|
All my cars for 10years + have been rwd ! I agree however - we all want some fun which is the point of rwd but breakaway need to be progressive and I'm getting the dsc light flashing even when accelerating on a straight damp road in 3rd gear ! Some good tyre suggestions in the other threads so I'll be asking the dealer ....
|
|
|
|
|
I will face a similar dilemma in the near future as my current Dunlop SP Sport 9000's don't provide as much grip in the wet as I'd like. From the tests I have looked at the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric and Uniroyal RainSport 2 are all very good in the wet (and dry for that matter), but are not cheap.
www.mytyres.co.uk are useful to check prices and they have links to tests.
Edited by rtj70 on 13/08/2009 at 20:41
|
|
I will go with GB on his choice - SWMBO Mazda 2 came with Japanese Toyo's and I wasn't impressed to start with - pressures were too high and they needed running in - then in space of two weeks she had big puncture (repaired) and a small nail right on sidewall on another tyre so new tyre was called for so I bit bullet and got two Verdestine Sportrac 3 - excellent tyres and quieter than Toyo's -- I have Verdestine Santana's on front of my Mazda - also excellent - I rate them better than Eagle F1 -- Wife's two tyres 195/45/16 were around £125 pair fitted.
|
|
I have Vriedstein Sportracs on my Mk 2 and am very happy with them. If new tyres do not solve your problem a proper 4 wheel alignment may be the answer.
|
|
|
|
Thanks to all who replied to my previous enquiry asking for suggestions for replacement tyres for my mark 3 MX5 - I finally ended up with 4 Bridgestone RE 050A which have The moral of the story is - 'don't put up with cheap tyres,at best they spoil your fun and at worst(as in my case) I think they were actually dangerous.'
P.S I also as suggested had a 4 wheel alignment check which said evreything was spot on.
{moved to original thread, as related to it}
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 24/08/2009 at 11:32
|
|
|
