Which are the best tyres for my 1.8 mk1? 185/60 R14’s please.
I hear good things about Toyo T1R Proxes but I need to get the best all-round tyre for all-year use: I commute 200 miles a week in my MX and need safety and grip over anything else. I also don’t want to break the bank.
My current tyres are wearing at the rear: still safe…but they are KwikFit budget specials. Bought in a rush - but they took me round the Ring in April so kudos.
I went from Toyo T1-Rs to Uniroyal Rainsport 2s; both are “budget” tyres, but I am pleased with the wet grip of the Uniroyals. The Rainsport 2s have been superseded by the Rainsport 3.
The Toyo T1R tyres are really good on the MX5 (got them on mine). The Uniroyal Rainsport 2 were a bit wobbly, but have amazing grip in the wet. If your scared of the back end sliding out these would be perfect. (although I think you can only get Rainsport 3’s now).
I am getting Kumho KH31’s fitted today, thanks to NickD of “MOT” for the suggestion, so will see how those compare we my beloved Toyo T1R’s. I am fitting the Kumho’s on some spare wheels I have so I can compare the two side by side almost, over winter :).
Update: The Kumho KH31 are fine if you just poodle around. If you like to push the car I would stay well clear of these as they slide badly around roundabouts, even with 7mm tread. I think they are more geared up for gentle family car driving.
In my short time with an MX5 (November 2014) I have used three different sets of tyres plus two different sets of 14 inch wheels. Two sets of tyres were mix ‘n’ match budgety type. One set was a bit leary coming out of roundabouts and the other hard, as if I had stiffened up the suspension. I was recommended the Uniroyal Rain Expert and have found them to be totally reliable in terms of grip, wet or dry. I think you would need to really lean on them before they lose it. I have used the Uniroyals on both sets of wheels (one set slightly wider and heavier than the other).
The thing that some don’t like about the Uniroyals is that they have fairly flexible side walls. For instance, if you need to brake hard at speed on a bend. This can produce a slight sideways flip or rapid side to side movement (with steering correction) because the tyres are flexing. I have noticed this a couple of times but they did not lose their grip on the road at any time. To me, the flexy sidewalls are a plus because they make for a comfortable ride. I feel confident with them and can rely on them to do what I need.
Hi , I have used toyos in the past but currently am fully satisfied with Uniroyals with thier excellent road manners and very forgiving nature . Important to point out their excellent value My Mk1 has never been so planted on the road particularly in the wet .
Personally I’ll be going with Nick’s advice…it’s his job.
Toyo’s are fine in my opinion having worn out 4 sets on both our 5’s over 8 years, but I’m willing to try something different, so happy to give “Nick’s Khumos” a go aftert watching the AB comparison video he published, plus his non-subjective write up. Sometimes you need to trust the “pros”.
but this is the issue isn’t it. I totally hear what Nick is saying and understand his expertise. I happen to have Proxies on my MK3 and for me they are currently working okay i.e. I don’t feel scared driving the car unlike other tyres I have had other MX5s on nd driving spiritedly in the dry I rarely see the Traction light on… However, having read the article and the post I would consider Kuhmos next time - but then there’s a post above that says they appear to be a bit slidey …
so there is a spiral … and we go round and round and round
The OP ain’t been back on this thread since posting so he’s most likely got his tyres by now. Hope he’s ok BTW, he said he’d been to “The Ring” on some cheapo tyres, he may have gone back for another go.
