I’m picking up my 05 1.8 Icon next week which I think have 195/50/15 tyres. When I test drove it I noticed that every tyre was a different make. From what I’ve read that’s probably not a good thing so thinking of new rubber all round to be safe. Does anyone have any recommendations ?. I found another website with a list based on recommendations and from that are considering the following:
Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response
Michelin Pilot Exalto
Goodyear Eagle F1
I want something that’s a good allrounder in dry and wet…any other suggestions please ??
I put some Toyo 195/50 R15 T1-Rs on just before Christmas. They’re very confidence inspiring in the wet and cold (the back end hasn’t stepped out so far), and predictable in snow. I haven’t driven on a bone-dry day yet!
In comparision, the Yokohama Parada 2s that were on before were awe inspiring in the dry, but let go quite sharply in rain or when cold, and terrifying in snow with 2mm tread (they were ok earlier in 2010 with more though). Rotated front-back once, they lasted 28k miles, which seemed pretty good considering how soft they were.
I’d recommend the Toyo T1-Rs, especially at £173 for 4 through tyreshopper.co.uk (a pre-VAT rise price)
i am another one for Uniroyal Rainsport 2 ( i know someone who has them on his mk2.5 as well) However, Toyos have a very good name as do the others mentioned
Another friend has Kumhos on their mk3 and they’re doing well so far
And some last longer than others so it can be something of a minefield
Marangoni Zeta Linea gets my vote too very very nearly as good as the Toyo T1Rs but with double the life and 1 million times better looking.
Try Kwik-Fit and get the lifetime warranty on offer with them along with free re-balance for the life of the tyres and a percentage rebate off if you damage one beyone repair.
Not just at Kwik Fit, it’s Marangoni’s own warranty (if they’re half worn and you damage the tyre, you get 50% off a new tyre). Try elsewhere and get a better price (at the sacrifice of free re-balance).
However, if you drive less than common mileage, Marangoni tyres tend to split on the sidewall. I assume Marangoni themselves know this and offer a lifetime warranty (they make Marix remould tyres which are prone to cracking too.)
Of course, Marangoni`s are available from other tyre outlets apart from Kwik-Fit, Camskill are pretty good value but you will need to both transport them to the tyre depot ad pay for fitting and balancing.
My own car came on Marangonis (F) and Toyos ® and as you say the Italian -jobs (sic) did have some cracking but not in the side-walls, the cracking was between the tread blocks, I thought about changing them because of it but wore out the new rear Toyos in the meantime and replaced them with more Toyos, wish now that I had gone for Marangonis on the rear too
The Marangoni Zeta Linea has a AA traction rating (sidewall marking) and the Toyo has the same but the wear rate is much better on the Marangonis… Yes knowitalls, I realise they are on the front and its rear wheel drive but still they compare very favourably against the ToyoT1Rs
We have just put the Mazda 6 2.5L Sport onto Marangoni Mythos (used to be on Toyo T1Rs) and have been very impressed so far.
Thank you for your responses. As a ‘newbie’ to this forum I’m humbled and grateful for your time and trouble, although I’ve now got an even larger choice of tyres to consider !, I pick up the car on Saturday morning and will let you know what I get. I’m really looking forward to this…my first MX5. Just hope it’s not raining as the roof will be down for the drive home !.
I have Uniroyal Rainsport 2s on my Mk2.5 Arizona. On my second set now. I like them but must admit my partner had them on her Icon and didn’t like them. She has Bridgestone Turanza on her 05 Icon. I was originally suggested them by Tony at WIM.
I have a bit of a mix on mine, they are as l bought them at the moment but can’t say l’m happy in the wet they broke away on a wet road after rain but not raining at the time.
On the front are B F Goodrige 205/50 ZR/15 80W. I take it ZR is the speed rating but whats 80W?
On the rear are NEXEN CP641 205/50 R /15. Anyone heard of them? and ZR l take it down to R.
The Z in ‘ZR’ represents a tyre speed rated higher than 150mph (High performance). The R stands for the construction of the tyre- Radial.
In regards to your tyre, 80W, 80 is the load rating (how much weight the tyre can take, 450Kg) and W is the specific speed rating of the tyre- 168mph.
Nexen are quite a decent tyre. Nexen are the manufacturer but they come branded differently, like Roadstone, Lexani and Kwik Fit’s own brand Arrowspeed.
Just as a side note, I have recently bought my first MX5 (2006 NC woohoo!) and have fitted Uniroyal RainSport 2’s all round and the difference from the Michelin (5 year old half worn 4mm of tread) is phenomenal. I think I am now a Uniroyal man for life.
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2.
