I’ve put 215s on my 2.0 ND - Goodyear eagle f1 asymetric 6. Very happy with them.
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And another endorsement for Goodyear Eagles.
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I have heard many people recommending this mod and was never sure of the advantages other than its a more common size and .'. possibly cheaper. Would this modification affect insurance premiums?
Doubtful I would think. I updated my insurance with other mods so couldn’t say on the specific change for tyres…
You need to notify them to cover yourself regardless of any premium impact.
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Also have a 2 litre ND. Went from Michelin PS4 to the Goodyear Asymmetric 6. Happy with the change, firmer sidewalls give move direct driving feel. Combined with Meister R suspension.
Watch the Tyre Reviews guy on YouTube for comparison of Michelin PS5 and Asymmetric 6 - Michelin’s are great but lack feel.
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Same here both tyres and slightly wider tyres - makes a big difference!
I wonder how much difference the wider tyres make. Most people will be going from worn 205 to new 215s, how much is the new rubber, how much the wider tyre?
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Interested.
I need to replace my rears and considering Kumho with increasing from 205 to 215. Is it wrong to have 205 on front and 215 on rear until I can afford for all to be 215’s
Same size for all 4
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Nothing wrong with having larger tyres on the back. Quite a few sports cars (eg Merc SLK) have that.
Interesting observation about the tyres being XL marked. I’ve noticed that both the Kumho PS71’s and Michelin PS5’s only come in XL specification. However, just spotted now while browsing ASDA tyres that the Goodyear Asymmetric 6’s come in both XL and non XL.
I assume the non XL version would be better for our light cars?
I went for the 87y variety, no point having xl on a small light car with only 2 seats and a small load area not doing stratospheric speeds… I find the road manners nice considering the lowered coilovers, wider wheels and anti roll bars.
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The OEM load rating for the 205/45/17 size was 84, with a W speed rating.
So yes, the 87 variety should be more applicable 
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Agree but they were designed that way but the MX5 was not.
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Most rwd cars with wider rear tyres still try and keep the rolling radius close between he back and front by lowering the profile of the wider tyre. If you’re worried about speedo and gearing then the radius is all needs concern anyone. With a wider or bigger wheel lowering the profile appropriately will bring it back into spec. I personally don’t fret too much about it, close enough is close enough.
The query from Richie stated that he needs to replace his 2 rears, so it’s not really helpful to suggest that he save up to buy all 4.
I am certainly inclined to keep quiet rather than offer useless advice, but having owned both MX-5’s and SLK’s I still see no reason why he can’t put 215’s on the rear, and do the same in the front when required.
A 215/45/17 tyre has a rolling circumference 1.4% greater than a 205/45/17. According to Oponeo’s website they recommend you stay within the range -2% to +1.5%, so this works.
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I’m replacing all 4 of mine in one go over the next few months and without hesitation, I’m going for the OEM Bridgestone Potenza s001 again. I know they seem to receive a lot of flack, but I find them fine. I don’t drive my ND in the wet if possible, and I’ve been more than happy with them over the ~ 15.5K miles I’ve had them. Hence, if I’ve been more than happy with them, I’m not going to buy something as an experiment which I may or may not like. I also like that they are pretty much the only ones avaliable in 205/45/17 84W, and not XL or having to change tyre size.
Regarding the PS5s the OP mentioned. Kind of totally unrelated but I’ve got them on a 215hp front wheel drive car, with which I’d had PS4 on for the prior 3 tyre changes. I’ve had them (PS5) on the car for about 2K miles now and I find them better than PS4 in some aspects, worse in others. I find the brake pedal had a slightly firmer feel and the steering a touch better. I’m used to those now as the tyres have been on the car for a bit, but they were noticeable when first put on. However, I’d say the grip with the PS4 was better than the PS5. I’ve had some torque steer (FWD) in some conditions/situations with the PS5, where I didn’t with the PS4. Plus I’d say the wet braking was better in the PS4. However, they claim the longevity is better with the PS5. So all-in-all I’d prefer the PS5, but imo it’s not clear cut and depends what aspects you’re looking for in a tyre.
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Kumho’s here on a 2009 NC. Not a big expert on tyres, but definitely better than the 5yr old tyres they replaced…
Good grip as well
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I have an MX5 NC 17years old now with Kumho Ecsta Le Sport KU39 and the handling is excellent in dry and wet, they hold the ground virtually flat out on a roundabout without the traction control triggering not even my colleagues Porsche 718 can keep up with my MX around a roundabout
I recently replaced two of the tire as the sidewall were cracking after 6years age but unfortunately the Le Sports KU39 were out of stock so instead I fitted 2 of the latest Kumho PS71 design tires which I fitted to the rear as the Le Sports had a lot of life left I put them to the front.
The 1st thing I noticed on the tire structure of the PS71 are the sidewalls which are a lot softer, with a rounder side wall turning inbound as opposed to a flatter side wall that the Ecsta Le Sport KU39 have and the middle blocks are thinner also compared to the Le Sport.
On the road this translated to a significantly less grippy tire with the traction control coming in sooner (this is another good indication of the tire losing grip sooner), the ride is slightly softer but less predictable as the sidewall moves much more than the stiffer KU39 which are as good as the Michelin pilot sport 4 but last longer and are significantly cheaper.
Although I’ve only done about 1200miles and the PS71 are barely worn I am going to replace them for the Kumho Le Sport KU39 which is probably the best tire for an MX5 for road and track use pound for pound by a significant margin in performance in wet or dry conditions with excellent braking performance to boot only the Michilin Pilot 5 beats it but just marginally with braking less distance lby 0.8m but almost double the cost.