Tyre life on a Mk3 2.0 Sport

Can anybody tell me what sort of mileage I could expect to get out of a set of tyres on a Mk3 2.0 Sport with mixed motoring.  I know there are probably too many variables involved to give anything more than a rough guide.  The reason i ask is that I’ve just seen a nice looking Mk3 with 15k on the clock and wondered if I’d need to budget for a set of tyres within the first year or so.  (say 6000 miles)

I think it says a lot about the driving style of my car’s previous owner that it is on its original tyres after 3 years and 33K miles, and at service today they are all still 5mm tread!

Not sure how to advise you - it would depend how that car’s previous driver drove it!

I reckon I make a set of tyres last a long time and, without checking back, I suspect I’ve managed to wring 33k miles out of a set at least once.  But to still have 5mm left at 33k miles is, well, almost beyond belief.  Are you absolutely sure they’re the original tyres?

 I replaced my Michelins (with Toyos) at 22K - should probably have done it at around 18K [:$]

No not absolutely sure - but she seems to have had all her work on the car done with meticulous attention to keeping receipts and there is no sign of new tyres paperwork - would she have gone with original spec too? Who knows? You are right though - it beggars belief so perhaps it did have new tyres at some point.

I am an “enthusiasic” driver and do a high mileage on club outings. I changed to Toyos at just over 20,000. A little life left but not enough for winter roads.

No need to budget for tyres… you should be able to get 40K no problem from a set.

Wear does depend on what tyres you have fitted - my previous car was on Goodyear Eagles and in the 210,000 miles it had done (including MX5OC Curborough Track Days) only needed to change them 3 times (from 66,000) the key is to rotate them every year. Fronts get very little wear so by swapping fronts to back you will almost double the distance you can do on a set.

Only problem is if you do track days, or you are an idot boy racer with lead boots doing d-nuts in Halfords car park every Friday night.

 

I would expect around 20k on a set of original MK3 Sport tyres as reported by others.

Mine are currently at 14k and I estimate about 6k left.

Nigel 

 

I want mine to wear out faster so I can switch to Toyos. I hate the idea of blowing money on replacement tyres when mine are still good! If I knew for sure they would be better on these damp roads than the current Yokos I would be tempted though lol

I’ve just bought a 2.0 Launch edition and it has 3 Michelin pilots and 1 spurious make tyre on the front, it understeers due to this dodgy tyre… but I’ve hammered a good deal from the dealer and would struggle to get the tyre changed and to be honest, I hate Michelin tyres I have run Toyo T1-R Proxies on my 231 RX8 and have a set on my Mk1. So am thinking of getting 2 T1-R’s for the front and then peel off the Michelins (5mm tread) on the rear hopefully by the spring [:D][;)]

A question to those who run Toyo’s on a Mk3.  Do they suit the car? I am having the Mazda Eibach springs fitted before I collect it so I think the slightly softer sidewalls will offset the stiffer suspension.

TIA

Just changed my tyres after 27500 miles (yokohama advan a11a’s) to Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3’s. They were still MOT passed just changed them cus i had no grip int he wet and ice etc. 

I don’t drive like miss daisy and the tyres have stood up well.

I suspect it all depends on the quality of the tyre.

Thanks Sacko

I had Yoke’s on my VR4 and didn’t like them, great for drifting.  I considered the Goodyears but as I’ve now run T1-R’s on 3 cars I’m staying with them.

Two new ones being fitted on the front tomorrow… collect the car thursday getting excited now.

Anyone that can wring 33K out of a set of MX-5 tyres doesn’t deserve to have one! [;)]

[:D]^^^^^^^^^^ I concur… mine will not last that long.  A track day becons.

My 2.0 Sport has just passed the 10k miles mark so from the above posts the tyres should be half worn. The fronts look to have plenty of meat on them and I am thinking about swapping the front and rear wheels to get “best to back” and end up replacing all four at once in due course (expensive but I am a bit anal about matched tyres).  Is this about the right time to change ?

Off on a tangent, are 205/45 17 tyres an unusual size as searches with online tyre suppliers do not throw up many options - favourites like the Goodyear GSD3 aren’t available.     

  

10K is a good mileage to front to rear swap either that or 4-5mm rear then swap… I’m with you on all 4 change at once, used to do it on my RX8, 110000 on one set [;)] track days…

Try Camskill I use Toyo T1-R £64 each at present, an excellent general tyre and good on track to… much quiter than the stock ones with excellent wet grip.  I’ve got 2 new ones on the front of mine ATM and the standard 'orrible michelins on the back, they will be knackered after the next track day, then Toyo’s all round.

GSD’s only come in 205/40 R17…215/40 R17’s would give you a rolling circumference 2% smaller making your speedo read 58.8 @60mph so pretty close Camskill sell those GSD3 at £73.