Tyres and alignment

In first week of ownership of 2009 MX-5 MK3 Roadster Coupe, and looking for some advice on tyres and alignment. 

The tyres fitted are the moment are a 3:1 split between:

Powertrac City Racing 205/50/ZR16 91W XL

Grip 600 Autogrip 205/50/R16 87 W (rear driver side only)

I’m planning to replace them very soon, and wondered about appropriate tyres to go for. The car will be used a few times per week for short trips, occasionally for 100/200 mile runs, and in the summer for a much longer tour of France. I live in Glasgow, so often drive on wet roads! Comfort probably more important than the ability to be driven enthusiastically. Any suggestions?

 

Also, planning to get alignment done - better before or after tyre change?

 

Thanks

I would suggest Kumho tyres and get the alignment done after the new tyres are fitted. Read the forums on the brand of tyre I mention, it’s got good reviews and I have them fitted, others will mention their choice of brand too.

Just make sure you get the alignment done by a specialist, in that I mean those who know the MX-5 and the appropriate settings

I could recommend a place but that would involve a day’s travelling for you, best get advice from those in your area.

As MickA says ,alignment is the key and not your local Kfit or tyre centre because they say they have the latest Hunter system.You won’t hear the local tyre centre or Kfit fitter asking you “how do you want your car set up?” or “how do you drive the car?” before they even touch it.Plus unlike Joe Bloggs they will be under the car for a good hour or more and not be giving you the keys back in 15 mins saying “sorted”

Mine was done in the spring after i let new coilovers settle in,fitted new alloys a Avons and took it to AK Automotive.

Cars done about 7k on that rubber and there is no sign of uneven tyre wear.You can hand over £40 to somebody who hasn’t a clue or you can pay £75 /£100 and feel the difference.You will also save on your rubber and get a few more K out of them to boot.

If your in Glasgow id drive down to Gateshead.AK race MX5’s and look after a number of racing teams including Ginetta cars.There is a guy there who does the alignments,he also races Ginettas.When i was there alignments was all he was doing on a dozen or so  MX5’s racing cars.He said he sets them up for what ever track they are racing that weekend.Guy really knows his stuff and well worth the travel.

ProGrip in Larbert is also a much respected Mx5 laser business.

About 25 mins max from Charing X.

 

Tyres are extremely subjective and opinion is often very divided on what is best. Generally as long as a good brand is fitted with all four being the same all should be well. I always avoid the cheap round black things that a lot of tyre dealers stock for people who just want the cheapest option. Personally after a lot of reading of reviews I had fitted Dunlop Blue Response as they are very quiet and their wet grip is top notch. As regards alignment I reckon you are a bit too far away from me to use who I would use!

Thanks all for the advice. After a bit more reading, and factoring in cost, I’ll probably go for Kumho. AK automotive sounds like an interesting day out, but  I’m not quite ready to face the trip to Gateshead at this time of year. I’ve seen other recommendations for ProGrip, so will give them shot.

Always good to hear from more experienced MX-5 owners!

 

[quote=Glasgow West]

Thanks all for the advice. After a bit more reading, and factoring in cost, I’ll probably go for Kumho. AK automotive sounds like an interesting day out, but  I’m not quite ready to face the trip to Gateshead at this time of year. I’ve seen other recommendations for ProGrip, so will give them shot.

Always good to hear from more experienced MX-5 owners!

 

I have used ProGrip in Larbert a couple of times and like them very much. It seems to be run by an experienced older guy that does all the work himself rather than getting any young apprentice to carry out the work.

As it happens, if my newly restored Mk1 gets it’s MOT OK’d today, I’m going there ( again!) on Friday.

John has done both our 5’s over 15 years…and frankly I’d not consider anywhere else.

Plus…the nearby Larbert Garden Centre’s cream scones are epic.

Easy for us…just 2 miles away.  

Just had 4 new tyres fitted on my ageing but low mileage 1.8 Mk2.  I’ve gone for Michelin Pilot 3s as they’re closest to the originals which I always liked.  My neck of the woods in Essex seems to be overrun with characters who claim to do alignment but make a mess of it.  So firstly today there’s a little monkey business where they claim there’s a problem removing one of the rear nuts, and want to charge to sort it out - then when I question this, the problem is sorted in minutes, uhhuh.  But to get to the point… I then drive away with the steering wheel noticeably out of line, about 1" - the car steering to the right if you straighten the wheel up.  I go straight back and they “sort it” - but now it’s marginally out the other way, ie: if I straighten the steering wheel the car now drifts towards the ditch.  It’s marginal compared to how it was first time, but even so it’s annoying. Is this incompetence, or is really some sort of black art?

While we’re about it, a noob’s question I’m sure, but I’ve found tyre pressure with my MX5 has always made a big difference to the drive.  Every time I’ve had the car serviced, I’ve invariably come away from the garage with the tyres pumped up to 35/36 lbs and the whole feel of the car different, the steering light, the car banging over bumps, even occasionally skittering.  So I’ve always dropped the tyre pressures back down to about 28 lbs - the recommended pressure is as low as 26 lbs as I’m sure many Mk2 owners will tell you.  Today, new tyres, 36 lbs all round - only discovering this back at home.  I’d had a conversation with the lad before I left - recommended pressure etc - I was told that 26 is too low, but 30 is about right.  Opinions?

Mazda have undertaken a huge amount of development and testing to determine the tyre pressures and specify 26 psi for the NB. Why on earth do you believe a person at a tyre fitters who thinks that tyre pressures for car weighing over 1400Kg are suitable for a 1050Kg car? The manufacturer does know best.

I don’t believe him any more than I believe any of the characters who’ve over pumped the tyres over the years!