Tyres for Mk2 195/50/15

Technical Area Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
2

Hi, this is my first post as someone new to the MX-5.  I picked up my 1999 1.8is two weeks ago and love it.  When I checked the tyre pressures they were 31 on the back and 33 front.  Back tyres Firestone TZR300a, fronts, Toyo T1-R.  Hmm.  thought that was a bit high, so having done research on net, lowered to 28 all round, as a lot of people like this pressure apparently.  Interestingly, the car is now less sharp to drive, but riding better and the rear tyres actually squeal on hard cornering!! 

So two questions, anyone out there running Firestones on their Mazda MX5 who can suggest a good pressure to use and secondly, would you ditch the Firestones and put Toyos on the back as well, or…as this tyre seems to have mixed reviews, according to another post on this forum, put something else on?  I cant find Kumho 39s on Blackcircles, who I normally use as they are so cheap, but Toyos are only £45 a corner fitted and Falken 914s £46… 

I know you guys get asked about tyres all the time, but please be gentle with me as I am a newbie to all this!

3

I believe the correct pressure is 26 PSI.  Definitely fit the same tyres all round.

I always go for Michelin Pilot Sport, not the cheapest but easy to find and very good.

4

When you put more air in a tyre it makes it more ridged and so it will feel more direct. There is a trade off in bump absorption and ultimately in compliance in the tyre to the road. So sharper, but also snappier. The happy medium is down to your own preference.

Changing the tyres to match is again down to you. You may like the way it drives or not. There is no “ideal” tyre. 4 tyres of the the same model should give you the best balance, however depending on the set up of your car, you may or may not notice this. 

Where in the country are you by the way?

5

I live near Bournemouth. I certainly agree the car was sharper and snappier before I reduced the pressures. Don’t like the current tyre squeal much! Obviously these cars are quite sensitive to different pressures!