Hi I’m planning on getting some new alloys for my NC, I think black would look awesome with the galaxy grey, new alloys will be different size so I’ll obviously need new tyres.
My question is: is it really worth getting the more expensive tyres? I like to drive as quick as the speed limit allows but I wouldn’t say I push it too hard round corners. Would I really lose that much performance on a cheaper tyre? I was looking at either toyo proxes cf2 vs an extra 100 to get the continental sportcontact 2. I’m kind of limited to choice because I was looking at wheel/tyre packages on wheelbase alloys website. I could buy from separate places but I’m going for simplicity inspired by laziness!
I’m not a tyre expert but I wouldn’t buy the Toyo’s which reviews suggest are comparatively poor tyres, especially in the wet and with regard to aquaplaning.
You already know you will have to alter the size of your tyre but it’s important to remember that the overall diameter will then need to be the same as the original so that the speedo and mileometer continues to read correctly. You will also need to tell your insurer.
As for the quality of the tyre it really depends on your needs. I am a great believer in mid range. Unless you intend to race the car and need the utmost grip there is little point in spending silly amounts as you will simply never exploit it. You also don’t want cheapo ones on an MX5.
At the end of the day everyone has their own preferences and you will get lots of differing advice!
Probably the most important item on the car so buy the best you can afford.
I can’t praise Michelin Pilot Sport highly enough, I have them on my MX5. My wife’s Polo Gti has Bridgestone’s on and we can’t wait to get rid of them. I had Bridgestone’s on a Prodrive Impreza STI and found them particularly frightening in the wet so changed to a set of Pirellis.
Spend as much as you can afford on tyres. A Goodyear F1, Mich PS4 or Conti premuimcontact 6 are the 17" ones to consider.
What size wheels are you looking at?
Weight of the wheels is also something you might think about, the lighter the better.
Also consider Dunlop Sport Maxx 2s which I can recommend. Also worth taking into account the noise rating as 5s allow quite a bit of road / tyre noise in via the drain pipes
Changing the stock 17” to 16” I’ve always been a bit on the fence about bigger wheels looking better and hoping for a slightly smoother ride, I live in the Lake District where the roads aren’t always the smoothest!
Thanks for the quick responses! I might wait a little longer then and get the better tyres, seems like the general consensus is there’s is enough of the difference to spend the extra.
mine came with some newish event potentums on the front and not so new toyos on the back, wasn’t absolutely happy with the steering so swapped them, steering was much more vague, not nice at all, so the events stayed on the back (seem to grip quite well) and (after advice from my tyre man and some research) settled for goodyear efficient grip on the front (not the cheapest option) but very happy with the steering now, (probably put a set on the back once the others have worn a bit, still have 6-7mm)
Most tyres are fine in the dry these days if it’s not too cold but the wet and damp really seperate them, and the Toyos tend to be rubbish in such conditions which is unfortunate as it’s the main weather UK gets. You will definitely lose performance; in Autobilds Summer 2020 wet braking test from 60 mph Toyo Proxes Sport took 49m to stop, the Conti Premium Contact 6 did it in 47m. That 2m or 5% can be the difference between a close shave and an actual crash.
The Sportcontact 2 is a seriously old tyre for the money can you not get something more modern? Falken FK510 or Kumho PS71 are regarded as good midmarket tyres and you could have both for under £70 a corner excluding fitting. For under £100 you could have everybody’s darling of the moment the Michelin PilotSport 4 if they make it in your size, or the Goodyear F1 Asy5. I mention those because after quite a bit of research they’re what’s on my shortlist but they may not be available in the size you need.
I’d agree with comments that recommend getting the best tyres you can afford.
Also worth considering that some premium tyres will last a lot longer than the more budget items marketed as being sports orientated (softer), whilst still providing a similar degree of, or even better, performance. That might actually mean they are cheaper in the long run.
I’d personally struggle to detect the last few %s in improved road holding or ride quality, and perhaps the longevity is difficult to assess where it isn’t an everyday car, but merely knowing that the braking performance wet and dry is improved via decent tyres is peace of mind enough for me.
On my 16s I have Goodyear EfficientGrip, and on my 17s I have PS4s.
I’ve just fitted 4 Goodyear F1 Assy 5s to mine and they are absolutely superb, particularly in the wet. Astonishing grip, and fairly quiet on a dry road. Halfords have (had?) an offer on them, so for 205/45-17, it worked out at a whisker under £90 each, fitted on the drive.
Check out these guys https://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/car-wheels.html
I found them much cheaper than other places, and buying mounted sets do save you a fitting charge of around £15 a corner if you do mix and match suppliers.
Wrt black rims, personal decision, but don’t look great in my opinion, and tyres can look grubby next to black rims. I went with anthracite grey rims on my galaxy grey nc and very happy, but as I say it is personal and only you need to like it.
