Tire choices for a Miat.. 240, I mean 240.

[ixfxi]

Ok so the Miat... I mean, 240.. is running a 16x8.

Right now, its running the last set of extra S03's I had, which were sized for my 240 (obviously). They are 245/45/16. I've pretty much burned through the rubber and will be replacing them in the next couple months, once we get closer to rainy weather.

Question is, the Miat, err 240 uses a very specific tire size that not too many mfg's make wide tires for. The 245/45/16 S03 is history, Bridgestone has pretty much discontinued the S03 lineup in favor for the newer, gripper RE01R. Besides, it was too tall for the roadster... and when new, it was rubbing on the chassis (not the fenders). I need a lower profile tire, period.

The question is this, I have two tire choices that I've narrowed down to:
245/35/16 Toyo T1R
205/45/16 Bridgestone Re01R

Personally, I prefer the Bridgestone since I personally think its a better quality compound. But, I dont really care to stretch the tire. I hate tapered tires. Anyone happen to have a pic of what that minor stretch even looks like? Nominal is 7" rim, but max width is typically a 7.5" width. I figure .5" isnt too much of a stretch, but hey.. I dont have experience with stretched tires.

The T1R is less expensive and more meaty. Anyone here ever ran this tire before? Just curious as to what they're feedback is.

Anyway, I know this applies to my Miat, err 240.. but I want to keep this thread in here for a bit so atleast some of the other old-schoolers can provide some decent advice. I dont want this in offtopic where fruitcakes will start posting because I really dont want to hear from folks who dont have experience and will start recommending Federal tires or Azenis, not my thing.

[420sx]

from my experience,
toyo tr1 are really nice grippy tires but they chunk very bad in rear under heat.
i really enjoy Federals s595, they grip real good, dont chunk, dont get slimy, they are cheap.

dunlop direzza is also a good tire but it has a higher price tag

bridgestone is good but its hella overpriced imho.

and it wont be much of a stretch on a 7inch with 205.

[FaLKoN240]

I have 205/45/16 on an 8" wide right now. But it's T1-R and NOT the RE01R.

Do you still want pics?

[Full-Lock]

a friend of mine had 205/45/16 tires on his miata on a 16x8. he had falkens i believe. the stretch was actually less than i expected.

but yeah, i would get the bridgestones in the 205/45

[ixfxi]

from my experience,
toyo tr1 are really nice grippy tires but they chunk very bad in rear under heat.
i really enjoy Federals s595, they grip real good, dont chunk, dont get slimy, they are cheap.

dunlop direzza is also a good tire but it has a higher price tag

bridgestone is good but its hella overpriced imho.

and it wont be much of a stretch on a 7inch with 205.

i figure it wouldnt be a big, ugly, super noticeable stretch.. like i said, its only 1/2 an inch.. it cant be that bad.

as for price, i dont think they are over-priced. ive been running bridgestone tires for years and never had any qualms with them. they have to be some of the most predictable, best performing tires ive had experience with.. in both rain and dry. i wasnt joking btw when i said that i kept up with a 360 modena the other day in the canyons. but nodoubt, its a small and twisty canyon where power means pretty much nothing.

i havent tried federal tires but i am not a guy who cares much for experimenting, unless they're on borrowed wheels that i can instantly REMOVE if they suck. when you buy tires, you're usually in it for a year or sometimes more. i kept hearing people rave about azenis and then tried'em on some borrowed wheels.. stiff sidewall with no traction. i will say they werent brand new, which does matter.. but shit, a tire should still grip even if it is aging.

funny thing about price, the 15" versions of the re01r run at 105/ea, while the 16" run at 150. FUCK.


240FaLKoN> I have 205/45/16 on an 8" wide right now. But it's T1-R and NOT the RE01R. Do you still want pics?

Rockit. I'm just curious of overall appearance.

[spool_sample]

+1 for RE-01R. I'm running 245/40/17 all around on my S14, which I use for autocrossing and track days. They have TONS of grip, are quiet (for a high-performance tire), and deal with heat fairly well. I have been told that they are on the same level as a Victoracer or RA-1 in the dry when shaved , but I don't run mine shaved, so that's really up for grabs at this point...

I don't think they are that expensive, either, especially when comparing them to something like an Advan Neova, which is WAY more expensive.

[420sx]

hmm only time i had tires for longer than a month is in the front. my front tires last about 2 months or 2-3 events.

rears..... lol... dont last longer than 1 event for sure.

[RanciD]

RE01R are pretty much the best street compound out there right now. If you're interested there's a comparison article on grassroots motorsports between the bridgestones and azenis 615s by Andy Hollis in his Miata (sts2 national champ).

[OptionZero]

you guys know he's not going drifting right? he drives in canyons and mountain roads and suck

[420sx]

what the fuck does that matter? Drift requires just as much grip from tires. hello??? drifting is all about grip

i would run rt615s if u want something really grippy. nothing wrong with federals. they grip really well

[RanciD]

I dont want this in offtopic where fruitcakes will start posting because I really dont want to hear from folks who dont have experience and will start recommending Federal tires or Azenis, not my thing.

what the fuck does that matter? Drift requires just as much grip from tires. hello??? drifting is all about grip

i would run rt615s if u want something really grippy. nothing wrong with federals. they grip really well

I don't think those are his thing :keke:

[420sx]

there are azenis sport and azenis st 115s. so lets not confuse 2 very different tires. and dont khe khe

[ixfxi]

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/news/042007/st-tire-testing-bridgestone-vs-falken.php

interesting article, well written. thanks for that.

i was surprised at the tire pressures they were running. i keep my tires around 33-34 psi and still, the fucking middle of the tires are worn more than the edges - and i'm constantly tearing up canyon roads and doing very little straight driving. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.


russian>there are azenis sport and azenis st 115s. so lets not confuse 2 very different tires.

the azenis i tried were the ST115's. Just joking, they were the 215's. i would be willing to give these things another chance but i'm too stubborn and hate being stuck with something i may not be happy with. its just like eating out, I HATE ordering new dishes. i always go to the same restaraunts and order the SAME SHIT because every fucking time i try something new, it usually sucks.

instead, i've learned to sample food off of other peoples dishes - that way you dont get stuck with a shitty meal. ;-)

[ixfxi]

btw, the price difference between the azenis 615 is near HALF, being priced at roughly 84 bucks a pop. something to most definately consider, although i hear the rain performance of the azenis is HORRIBLE - and that certainly is an issue, since wifey has canyon commute in this car. safety first, bitches.

[420sx]

615s are awsome. its a different tire, not exactly like 215's. you just to try it Mike.

i know exactly where u coming from about eating the same shit lol. but i taught myself to try new things all the time

[silviaguy240]

from what ive heard, the new azenis (115) have helluva lot better wet traction than the 615.

[420sx]

are you fuckin stupid? 615 is max performance summer. st115 has way different specs and ratings. look first.
ITS DISCONTINUED. hello??? hit the reset button your computer clock stuck in 2002

[ixfxi]

are you fuckin stupid? 615 is max performance summer. st115 has way different specs and ratings. look first.
ITS DISCONTINUED. hello??? hit the reset button your computer clock stuck in 2002

chill ruskie.. maybe his shit isnt y2k compatible. :-)

you know, being 2008 and all. haha

[FaLKoN240]

240FaLKoN> I have 205/45/16 on an 8" wide right now. But it's T1-R and NOT the RE01R. Do you still want pics?

Rockit. I'm just curious of overall appearance.

I dunno if you still wanted pics, but here you go!

That's a 205/45/16 on the FRONT.
The wheels are PRECEDEO DEMON CAMBERS 16x8-15

Don't look at the rear. (I am not talking to Mike, I'm talking to the dumb newbs that will ask me what wheels and what size.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a163/FaLKoN240/Black%20Car/DSC_0366.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a163/FaLKoN240/Black%20Car/BeforeSD.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a163/FaLKoN240/Black%20Car/IMAGE_00113.jpg

[aznpoopy]

i have t1r's
they are great. get them.

daily driving, obviously not a problem.
awesome in the rain. if that's a concern, these are the tires for you.
i haven't driven on a better feeling non-rain-performance tire in the rain, and it rains alot here.

my friend used my fronts for front dori wheels. maybe 10 laps on typical parking lot course. ragged up the edges a bit but im still running on them without any problems.

[Ca_laurier]

Honestly I work at a tire shop and i have tired bridgestone eagle f1, falken fk's and ze's, bridgestone re01's, and imo federals for the price are killer. for sure my next tire

never run a tire sizer over a 225 on an 8. i hate it when fucking stupid sales people sell wider tires that hang over like a bitch. for 1 when your demounting them its a bitch just cause its annoying how it resets.

[upSLIDEdown]

SM 002 Wheels 15x8 0 offset
195/50/15 Kuhmos

I know they're 15s, but I thought if nothing else it would give you some inspiration. This is a good friend of mine's old car. He doesn't have it anymore, but here are a few pics. Hope they help.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/jzz30tt/boostmx5/IMG_1592.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/jzz30tt/boostmx5/IMG_1613.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/jzz30tt/boostmx5/IMG_1787.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/jzz30tt/boostmx5/IMG_1600.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/jzz30tt/boostmx5/IMG_1602.jpg

[EchoOfSilence]

Honestly I work at a tire shop and i have tired bridgestone eagle f1, falken fk's and ze's, bridgestone re01's, and imo federals for the price are killer. for sure my next tire


So many people talk about these great, cheacp federals, but I've only heard this from the drift crowd. I'm intrigued.

never run a tire sizer over a 225 on an 8. i hate it when fucking stupid sales people sell wider tires that hang over like a bitch. for 1 when your demounting them its a bitch just cause its annoying how it resets.

the FUCK lol
i get uncomfortable seing things SMALLER than 225 on an 8
... ok that's not true, it depends. :hsdance:

[Ca_laurier]

lol its just stressful taking wide tires off smaller rims

personally i could stretch tires all day, so easy. plus i love the bead blaster lol

[ixfxi]

im not listening to all that. a 245 fit my 8 inch wide wheel LIKE A CHAMP, it was a complete block and looks great. both, 225 and 245 fit nice on 8 inch width.

[Fast1One]

That is a sexy miata, I must admit...

[Dousan_PG]

hmm only time i had tires for longer than a month is in the front. my front tires last about 2 months or 2-3 events.

rears..... lol... dont last longer than 1 event for sure.



do u understeer a lot?
i run the same fronts for at least 6-8 events
ive run my current neovas about 6 events. did jd comp 1, 2 and asb both days, did an event 2 weekends ago and did another practice event before that. about 4 months total.

my last set did at least 6 events or so as well on the car. drove to track and back too.

using RE01Rs 235/40/17 up front next!!! neovas 235/40/17 are toasted now. SIGH. good for rears now, flybert will be running them!! woo woo!!

rear Direzzas or SS595
but i prefer the direzzas muich more for grip.

RE01Rs in the rear for events..HOLY CRAP so much awesome grip
best tires ever. i love these
wish i had some 18" neovas to compare w/ though. sigh. but i dont.

[Ca_laurier]

im not listening to all that. a 245 fit my 8 inch wide wheel LIKE A CHAMP, it was a complete block and looks great. both, 225 and 245 fit nice on 8 inch width.

try dismounting those bitch's, than you will know what i am talking about. plus only people who run 245's are people who have 4x4 offroading s13's

[ixfxi]

try dismounting those bitch's, than you will know what i am talking about. plus only people who run 245's are people who have 4x4 offroading s13's

this has to be the worst fucking advice i've ever read, especially from someone who claims to work at a tire shop. seriously, you need to be demoted to spend some time pushing the broom and studying, rather than working with tires.

lets look at the specs:

225/50/16 = 24.9" tall x 9.1" wide
245/45/16 = 24.6" tall x 9.6" wide

based on the above data, the 245 has a lower and wider profile than the 225. why is that? must be because a lot of people love off-roading in low/wide tires, right?

i dont know what school you're coming from, but i'm coming from the school that cares about one thing, and one thing only: traction. i go out to the mountains, tear it up and like to see cars that are much more powerful in my rear view mirror. i've had 205s, ive had 225, and i've had 245.. and if its one thing ive learned, its that next to compound - tire size is the next best thing to achieving MORE traction. see, its not just about going straight, or taking turns.. but also having MORE traction for things like braking.

maybe you're right though. i'm gonna call some of my friends with expensive cars, tell them to go with skinnier tires.. better traction.

[420sx]

do u understeer a lot?
i run the same fronts for at least 6-8 events
ive run my current neovas about 6 events. did jd comp 1, 2 and asb both days, did an event 2 weekends ago and did another practice event before that. about 4 months total.

my last set did at least 6 events or so as well on the car. drove to track and back too.

using RE01Rs 235/40/17 up front next!!! neovas 235/40/17 are toasted now. SIGH. good for rears now, flybert will be running them!! woo woo!!

rear Direzzas or SS595
but i prefer the direzzas muich more for grip.

RE01Rs in the rear for events..HOLY CRAP so much awesome grip
best tires ever. i love these
wish i had some 18" neovas to compare w/ though. sigh. but i dont.


well Aaron i dont understeer near as much as i used to but it happens,

the reason i use new tires every 3rd event is i sometimes daily my car and i hate the octogon feeling to the tires and steering wheel shaking haha.

SO....i cycle them to the rear and just buy new for fronts.

i actually really like s595 for fronts. not bad at all. also tr1 are good for fronts for me.

[Dousan_PG]

dont flat spot ur tires!!!

[420sx]

haha im getting better with it but still happens.

there are tires that make it REAL bad tho. like rs-2s. instant octogon tires. trash.

im going 4th event on my front right now and they still looking great!

[inertiaticism]

Maybe I am completely off base, but If you are thinking of T1Rs, you ought to talk to some spec miata guys.
I could have sworn someone told me that they use the t1r as their spec tire.
They were great on my old car, even lasted decently.

On another note, has anyone tried Federal's new competition tire, the 595RS?
I normally buy more expensive stuff, but these look like they could be a good value for track day tires/drift spares for people who have enough power to turn them.
Or shit, they might even be decent fronts for my KA garbage.
http://www.federaltire.com.tw/en/images/product/051229032140_595rs.jpg

[spool_sample]

Maybe I am completely off base, but If you are thinking of T1Rs, you ought to talk to some spec miata guys.
I could have sworn someone told me that they use the t1r as their spec tire.

You're thinking of Toyo RA-1s. Those are an intermediate race tire, completely different.

The 595RS seems like it might be nice for a cheapie, but I don't know anyone running them.