Don't think they would fit, Jimbo. It's either 205/45/17 or 215/4017 for the coupe.

Just had a quick read through - I've been running R888's on the RX7 for a while now, and they are epic - full boot in 2nd and they just grip, every road tyre I had before would spin on occasion. (yes - the car is setup right). In the wet they are average (as you might expect), but usable.

The side walls are very stiff, so the ride is harder, but at the same time this has also increased feel and sharpened the car a little.

I would imagine AD08's to be similar - if you can put up with the wear then go for it.

Do 205 55s fit the standard 16" turbo wheel/arch ?

I assume from the bigger sidewall they'll be stiffer than 205-50s ?

Also does a higher load rating mean a stiffer sidewall and how much stiffer would a 91 be than an 87 ?


thanks

They will be too big and will rub the arches (tried it myself). Normally higher side wall = softer than harder as there will be more area to flex. Side wall stiffness depends on the actual tyre and will be different from one manufacturer to another.

I am sure that you can find an answer to your second question by doing a quick search on Google

Good to know they don't fit. Thanks


(Part of the reason for asking - Odd tyres on a reasonable looking set of wheels.) CLICKY

In reference to Nigel's original post. Just read Evo October edition in which they ran the annual tyre test. Toyos were murdered in all categories (especially wet) and Continental Contact 5's won most. Toyos are about £30 cheaper so I guess you do indeed get what you pay for.

I've done some comparisons of sizes and I think I should be able to get away with 215/45 17 (running 215/40 17 at the moment) - this would allow me to run Continental SC5 or Michelin PS

Nigel, I was fine with 215/45/17 just don't remember what ET my wheels were but I had them on 7.5J azevs and 7J wolfrace trackready. My guess is that you'll be fine.

Or Yokohama Advan Neova AD08R

Perhaps - just waiting for your report on them....

Nigel, now I’ve resolved the initial problems I had with the tyres rubbing on the rear arches over bumps and rubbing the front arch liners in bends, I’ve pushed them a fair amount.

As is always the case, I’d be comparing new tyres vs old tyres (Falken FK452s on the front and Kumho Ecstas on the rear) but in this instance, there’s also the change in profile, width, wheel and tyre weight and, of course, these new coilovers! Suffice it to say it wouldn’t be a fair direct comparison…

That said it definitely corners far harder than it ever has before and it simply hooks up in first gear once rolling (unless deliberately provoked). It does squirm all over the road now coming off of roundabouts where it’s finding various levels of grip on changing cambers (instead of just spinning one or both wheels like it did before) but it is easily controlled while feeling pretty lively!

I don’t think I’ve come anywhere near inducing any appreciable over or understeer on the public road – it doesn’t even play when you lift off making it very docile again.

The next thing I need to address is the seats, especially if I’m to enjoy what the car is now capable of. At the moment, most of my concentration goes into trying to stay in the driver’s one, wedging myself in at odd angles, clinging to the steering wheel and generally digging my feet in. If I don’t do all this, I just flat out leave the chair sideways…

I’ve tried CG locks before and broken three of them in the same way. I’ve also tried using the seat belt ‘lock’ with the chair back and then pulling it forward to hold me in, but nothing beats a decent quality sports seat.

As the only part of the car you’re really in contact with, I figure this isn’t an area to scrimp on and so a set of Cobra Misano in grey leather are now on the cards, assuming I fit…

Oh, and these tyres are better in the wet than any other tyre I’ve ever had on the car, certainly on a par with the Eagle F1s on the girlfriends 350Z. How they perform in the cold and wet may well be a different story though…

Maybe you could take my car out for a spin yourself if I'm ever up your way having some work done

Nice write-up - thanks

When I was regularly doing Ten of the Best, I lashed out on some Corbeau kevlar race seats and some harnesses - this was probably the second-best handling mod I've ever done, as the ability to relax at the wheel, rather than hanging on for dear life meant that I could feel more of what the car was doing underneath me

They were surprisingly comfortable for long distances, but they were a PITA for getting in and out of - actually, that's not true, it was a doddle getting in (I just kind of fell into it), but a bit of a clamber getting out....

Goodyear Eagle F1s are the best tyres I've used in the wet. Incredible stopping distances and traction. Could save your life!

yoko AO48s mental amount of grip in the dry. I suspect 32s even better.

I have Michelin PSS 205/45 17" and they are ok on both speed (ZR ou Y) and load (88).

What are the Michelin PSS like on the Coupe? It is a tyre i fancy using but with the cost of a set of wheels and the tyres I keep trying to resist, particularly as it also leads to the possibility of bigger brakes and even more expense!

I can only tell you about them on another FWD high power coupe, once you've tried them, you won't use anything else.

Sorry to hear that you managed to kill three CG locks
I have used mine for several years and it still works and I find it pretty good ( is that okay english?? ). It does the job so to say

Thanks Jimbo, I'm using Yokohama AD08s at the moment which are very good, but may not be able to use them next year so seeking alternatives. Looks like the PSS are the best alternative.

Just to update this - Switched over to Conti's on the front yesterday from my worn T1R's. Obviously an instant improvement with grip with fresh rubber from tired but the main reason for changing was the awful rapid rate of ride degradation from worn-out Toyo's. I honestly was starting to think I had a suspension component failure such was the feel and crash-like sensation through the wheel.
Instantly gone with the ContactSports - road-noise not too disimilar but big improvement in feel and now far more planted on the motorway. Sourced from Camskill for £138 delivered for the pair which I thought was very good - (OE fit 205/50 ZR16's). Certainly pays to buy the best you can with tyres IMO.