Miata Tire Suggestions

[Evil MS3]

Looking for you experienced Miata guys on suggestions for tires for the NB Miata I'm putting together. I'm getting a set of 15x8 Advanti S1 wheels from a friend to run on. I've done some research but wanted to get ya'lls input on proper size for this setup and if you have a preference on tire (Rival, 71r, RS4, etc)

Share your thoughts and experience with me. I'm a little lost since this will be a bit of a change from what I've been driving.

[Loren]

You've not given us enough information.

What class? What suspension? What's the offset of the wheels?

Will the tires be street-driven either to events or daily?

Is price a concern?

Is tire life a concern?

Or does competitive edge trump all?

[Evil MS3]

My bad, I realize that was a pretty open ended question lol

What class? Stock (S4) for now, eventually modified (M3 or M4 if I stay at a 205 tire)
What suspension? Stock, eventually coilovers/updated sway bar(s)
What's the offset of the wheels? 15x8 +25
Will the tires be street-driven either to events or daily? Occasionally street drive, not daily.
Is price a concern? Not really
Is tire life a concern? Not really. It will be a 2 driver car, so I'd like to at least get a season out of them.
Or does competitive edge trump all? Yes, as long as it does not put me in race tire class.

[Loren]

Read the 3-tire review that Doug posted a couple days ago. It seems that what I've been saying for a long time is still true. There are a handful of "top dog" tires, and which one is "the fastest" will depend on driver preference, car and conditions.

A properly aligned Miata should wear tires pretty evenly. So, my usual argument against the Rival (asymmetrical, can't flip 'em) isn't a big issue for you.

RE-71's are still probably going to wear quicker than anything else. But, again... a well set-up Miata should still get 150 runs out of a set if nobody's overdriving them too badly.

So, for ultimate performance, Rival, RE-71 or ZIII would do the job.

Size... 25mm offset seems awfully pokey to me, but my Miata experience dates back to the days when 7" wheels were considered wide. Still, you're goint to want to verify that you don't have fender clearance problems before putting 225's on the car. Aside from that concern... 225/50's should be the hot ticket.

You're in an NB which doesn't have the power deficit of an early 1.6 Miata. So, you don't have to worry as much about tire weight. But, tire and wheel weight is always a factor on a light car. If one of your 3 excellent tire choices is lighter... all else being equal... it's something to consider.

[Evil MS3]

So after some quick research here's what I found for offerings with some of the top tier tires. Seems like offerings on 15" wheels is limited.

15" Sizes/weights:

re71R
205/50/15 - 21lbs

Rival S 1.5
205/50/15 - 20lbs
225/45/15 - 21lbs

ZIII
205/50/15 - 20lbs

RS4
225/45/15 - 21lbs
245/40/15 - 23lbs

[jbrannon7]

I have a 160 runs on my RE 71s and I know I can get 15-20 more. I think the big tire killer on Miatas is lack of ABS which flat spots the tires.

[Loren]

Ah, so that's why all the Miata guys run Rivals.

FWIW, Philip swears that a 205 RE-71 is faster than a 225 Rival.

But, he also says that my ZIII's are a second-tier tire. I think he just likes the characteristics of the RE-71. Driving style. Driver preference.

[Evil MS3]

Ah, so that's why all the Miata guys run Rivals.

FWIW, Philip swears that a 205 RE-71 is faster than a 225 Rival.

But, he also says that my ZIII's are a second-tier tire. I think he just likes the characteristics of the RE-71. Driving style. Driver preference.

Yeah I've read a lot of the same, that the 205 on an 8" wheel performs well, and surprisingly performs even better on a 9" wheel which seems so odd.

[jev61]

I have a 160 runs on my RE 71s and I know I can get 15-20 more. I think the big tire killer on Miatas is lack of ABS which flat spots the tires.

I can't get 160 runs on my Rivals and I don't flat spot my tires, maybe RE-71's are that much better. But RE-71's max out @ 205; Rivals are available as 225 and 245. I like wider.

I don't think you need more than a 8" wheel for a 205 tire.

[aw614]

I do recall at least on my friend's miata on 35mm offset 15x7 wheels and maxxix 205/50/15 tires, he experienced rubbing only really sharp turns. He is also using flyin miata shock/spring kit.

Ah, so that's why all the Miata guys run Rivals.

FWIW, Philip swears that a 205 RE-71 is faster than a 225 Rival.

But, he also says that my ZIII's are a second-tier tire. I think he just likes the characteristics of the RE-71. Driving style. Driver preference.

In another forum I was told the rival is a surface type tire that works better on concrete than on asphalt surfaces, whereas the re71r is better on different surfaces. I really want to try the new rival out just to see how it is, but bridgestone had another 100 dollar rebate with discount tire so i went with it again

[Evil MS3]

I have a 160 runs on my RE 71s and I know I can get 15-20 more. I think the big tire killer on Miatas is lack of ABS which flat spots the tires.

I can't get 160 runs on my Rivals and I don't flat spot my tires, maybe RE-71's are that much better. But RE-71's max out @ 205; Rivals are available as 225 and 245. I like wider.

I don't think you need more than a 8" wheel for a 205 tire.

Joe, what are your wheel/tire specs you're running?

[jbrannon7]

I have a 160 runs on my RE 71s and I know I can get 15-20 more. I think the big tire killer on Miatas is lack of ABS which flat spots the tires.

I can't get 160 runs on my Rivals and I don't flat spot my tires, maybe RE-71's are that much better. But RE-71's max out @ 205; Rivals are available as 225 and 245. I like wider.

I don't think you need more than a 8" wheel for a 205 tire.

Joe, what are your wheel/tire specs you're running?

Well, it's a corvette Z06 stock widths, 9.5 front 10.5 rear, 275 front 305 rear. Some say it is just a big Miata.

[Carracer]

Ah, so that's why all the Miata guys run Rivals.

FWIW, Philip swears that a 205 RE-71 is faster than a 225 Rival.

But, he also says that my ZIII's are a second-tier tire. I think he just likes the characteristics of the RE-71. Driving style. Driver preference.

205 RE71 is faster than a 205 Rival IMHO. It seems that may very well not be the case and they are the same but I wouldn't trade my 205s for 205 Rivals. The RE71 has a lot of grip but when everything is just right it's incredible. The Rival is a much easier tire to push on and actually fits my driving style better, It has the brodder grip ranger for sure. But at the very limit it falls short for me. If it wasn't for that and not being able to flip them I would run Rivals.

Now a 225 Rival vs 205 RE71 is a different story. I think the Rivals have an edge.

Also looking at the times, a ZIII is a second-tier tire. Closer than what I expected ( And I said that when I did a run on them ) but still not going to win against a Rival or RE71. If it wet out then I would definitely consider the ZIII or RE71s and I wouldn't take a second look at Rivals.

[Evil MS3]

So it seems like the 205/50 RE71 might be the way to go.

[jev61]

[Some say it is just a big Miata.

I like the last part.

[Evil MS3]

I have a 160 runs on my RE 71s and I know I can get 15-20 more. I think the big tire killer on Miatas is lack of ABS which flat spots the tires.

I can't get 160 runs on my Rivals and I don't flat spot my tires, maybe RE-71's are that much better. But RE-71's max out @ 205; Rivals are available as 225 and 245. I like wider.

I don't think you need more than a 8" wheel for a 205 tire.

Joe, what are your wheel/tire specs you're running?

Well, it's a corvette Z06 stock widths, 9.5 front 10.5 rear, 275 front 305 rear. Some say it is just a big Miata.

Haha! Thanks, but I'm more interested in the other Joe's setup. It's slightly more pertinent to me

[Jamie]

Is tire life a concern? Not really. It will be a 2 driver car, so I'd like to at least get a season out of them.

Something to consider for RE-71s -- they're more heat sensitive. It's not a terrible problem, but in hot weather with two drivers, or hot weather and one or both drivers who like to slide the car, you'll need to spray them down between runs.

[Evil MS3]

Is tire life a concern? Not really. It will be a 2 driver car, so I'd like to at least get a season out of them.

Something to consider for RE-71s -- they're more heat sensitive. It's not a terrible problem, but in hot weather with two drivers, or hot weather and one or both drivers who like to slide the car, you'll need to spray them down between runs.

Yeah, def something I was considering. If we go with the RE71 we'll have to add a spray bottle to our kit.

[jev61]

Is tire life a concern? Not really. It will be a 2 driver car, so I'd like to at least get a season out of them.

Something to consider for RE-71s -- they're more heat sensitive. It's not a terrible problem, but in hot weather with two drivers, or hot weather and one or both drivers who like to slide the car, you'll need to spray them down between runs.

Yeah, def something I was considering. If we go with the RE71 we'll have to add a spray bottle to our kit.

I end up spraying my Rivals also this time of year. The only tires I didn't spray was the old Hankook RS3's.

You asked about my setup: I am using Rival S 1.5 225/45/15's on 9" wheels.

[PrestonJ]

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/artic ... -re-71r-v/