Bad handling car or a scared driver...Im not sure!

[almitch1]

Ok, I really appreciate your help and advice on this.

I have just had a look at the wheels and tyres in more detail and it seems that mine are all over the shop. I have 195/55.15 on all 4 corners and the alloys are after market so from what i can see there rear alloys are that same width as the fronts.

From what i understand the fronts should be 6 and the rears 6.5? Would i be better off putting the 2004 mr2 mk3 alloys on it and getting new tyres for them?

Looks like i might ,e getting somewhere... Thanks again and more advice is greatly received.

Alan

A square setup of all 195 could make it twitchy.
Use the set of FL ( face lift 2003 on ) alloys you have and get something half decent on them.
Aftermarket wheels on these cars are imho for the most part rubbish especially if over 16".

Crowborough is 45 mins from me.

Ok will do... I'm happy to travel 45 mins if you can take a look over my car... i have messaged you.

[Petrus]

Do they allow supercharged V6s?

Don´t know the in/outs of the classic class regs. but if the engine is period it is most likely they will.

[almitch1]

What tyres would be recommended? I ant to make sure i get the best that my budget can afford which is around £250-£300 for all 4, of is this to little to get a decent set?

Thanks

[shnazzle]

What tyres would be recommended? I ant to make sure i get the best that my budget can afford which is around £250-£300 for all 4, of is this to little to get a decent set?

Thanks

Very decent set. There's a tyre review page you cna visit on here, but I'm sure people will weigh in soon

[1979scotte]

What tyres would be recommended? I ant to make sure i get the best that my budget can afford which is around £250-£300 for all 4, of is this to little to get a decent set?

Thanks

Very decent set. There's a tyre review page you cna visit on here, but I'm sure people will weigh in soon

Avon ZV7s seem to be available in the correct size.
Mixed set of Uniroyal 5 and 3
Possibly Toyo TR1
NangKang NS20 maybe

Sizes are hard to get these days

[JB21]

195 sqaure, 55 profile sidewall with ditch finder tyres will make a 2 handle like shit!

Throw the FL wheels on and there should be a massive difference if they have OE spec or similar size tyres fitted.

[shnazzle]

195 sqaure, 55 profile sidewall with ditch finder tyres will make a 2 handle like poopoo!

Throw the FL wheels on and there should be a massive difference if they have OE spec or similar size tyres fitted.

But yours is a pre-fl. W-reg?

Should be 15s all around. But still different sizes front and back.

[JB21]

195 sqaure, 55 profile sidewall with ditch finder tyres will make a 2 handle like poopoo!

Throw the FL wheels on and there should be a massive difference if they have OE spec or similar size tyres fitted.

But yours is a pre-fl. W-reg?

Should be 15s all around. But still different sizes front and back.

Hey? I'm quoting the OPs tyre sizes currently fitted to his car.

[almitch1]

195 sqaure, 55 profile sidewall with ditch finder tyres will make a 2 handle like poopoo!

Throw the FL wheels on and there should be a massive difference if they have OE spec or similar size tyres fitted.

But yours is a pre-fl. W-reg?

Should be 15s all around. But still different sizes front and back.

You are right but it has aftermarket alloys on it currently which are the same width front and back so you can't put the right size tyres on it.

[shnazzle]

But you have some OEM facelift wheels? I'm so confused haha.

[1979scotte]

But you have some OEM facelift wheels? I'm so confused haha.

Loads of people put FL wheels on pfl cars.

Don't get it myself having tried both oem sizes I like the smaller ones better.

More drama 🙄

[shnazzle]

But you have some OEM facelift wheels? I'm so confused haha.

Loads of people put FL wheels on pfl cars.

Don't get it myself having tried both oem sizes I like the smaller ones better.

More drama 🙄

Well I'll be damned. Been hanging around here since 2012 I think and never knew people did that... 

Makes sense I guess. Why not. Weren't the springs slightly different to accommodate the 16s?

[almitch1]

But you have some OEM facelift wheels? I'm so confused haha.

I'm lost... lol I was just asking if fl wheels would be better that the after markets I have on it now. The fl alloys are in the garage so can go straight on.

[shnazzle]

But you have some OEM facelift wheels? I'm so confused haha.

I'm lost... lol I was just asking if fl wheels would be better that the after markets I have on it now. The fl alloys are in the garage so can go straight on.

Ah right! Then yes absolutely. If it's a choice between square setup aftermarkets and FLs... Put the FLs on for sure

[Gaz mr-s]

I did a post & the damn thing disappeared....grr.

My tuppence-worth......

If you like the 15" aftermarket alloys you might be able to get a narrow fit front tyre & a wide rear to give the front-rear stagger. Will depend too on whether you can get get a tyre you want.

I look at tyre tests. The Avon is old & doesn't fare well.  I thought the Rainsport 5 was available in FL sizes, but not that I can see tonight.  Covid or Brexit has led to lack of supply & prices have gone up.

Two tyres that do fare well that can be had in FL sizes are Falken ZE310 & Hankook K125.

Hankook from Camskill are £282 for the set.
Falken, fronts from Demon Tweeks £55 each. Rears on ebay £74.

Demon Tweeks are quite often featured in deals on ebay....maybe they'll have the rears then.

Some folk buy with a fitting deal included in the price.  Some folk use Groupon & the like to help too.

[Ardent]

@almitch1

I feel you already knew the answer.
It all comes down to wine tokens. (more commonly known as £s)
There are very very few after market rims that are better than stock. That combined with the mis mash of rubber in the wrong sizes. Ditch them, before they ditch you.

Given you have set of FL stock rims ready to go. Get some fresh rubber on those and get them fitted.

I appreciate there is a whole heap of info and advice flying in your direction and all you want is to get a happy handling 2. But, and it's a big unnecessary but. Out of curiosity Whilst you are swapping rims and tyres about.
Try to weigh the after market combo vs the oem combo.
I know thats way down the list.
It's just nice to know and I would be extremely surprised if the aftermarket combo is lighter than stock.
Which will bring its own benefits to the equation.

A 2 in the twisties, should be something to be sought, not avoided.

[Iain]

Standard FL wheels back on with a  decent set of tyres, in the correct OEM size (or as close as you can find) and im sure the car will feel much better.

Fronts should be 185/55/15.
Rears 215/45/16.

Tyre brands are difficult to advise on imo. One person will say this, another says ooo not them!

My advice is any decent brand you've heard of will be just fine.

Also, good laser alignment will no doubt be well worth doing.

[Petrus]

Tyre brands are difficult to advise on imo. One person will say this, another says ooo not them!

Most like the Yokohama AD08R(s) in all but very cccóld weather. Even then they are still linear in their grip thus predictable. 
I find them worth the expense because of the wide traction ´hump´ and predictability.
Came back just now and though sunny it is 13 degrees C. and colder in the shade. The bandwidth in which the rubber starts to give and lineary slides more and more as you push is só reassuring. They simply do nót just let go.

[pistol pete]

I'm not too far either..
Happy to have a look at it as well..
I've had all three mr2s since 2000..

I also have here's well set up daily mk3 and a track spec mk3 which is road legal
Both of which I can take you out in.. (when allowed)

I'm down basically New Romney (tn29)

[Nvy]

Ok, I really appreciate your help and advice on this.

I have just had a look at the wheels and tyres in more detail and it seems that mine are all over the shop. I have 195/55.15 on all 4 corners and the alloys are after market so from what i can see there rear alloys are that same width as the fronts.

From what i understand the fronts should be 6 and the rears 6.5? Would i be better off putting the 2004 mr2 mk3 alloys on it and getting new tyres for them?

Looks like i might ,e getting somewhere... Thanks again and more advice is greatly received.

Alan

I have 195/55/15 winter tires and oem sizes advans for the summer. While the car grips very well even on damp roads with the winter tires it is not confident inspiring. That could be your problem, changing the tires is making it another car all together.

[Mark A]

Get some new tyres fitted, check and find what rears are in stock first and then find a matching brand front pair.
I've used Demon Tweeks, Camskills, Openo and Tyreleaders to get the best prices. A budget of £250 should easily see you pick up some quality branded tyres if you shop around, it just takes a little time to find the best prices.

Once the tyres are fitted see if that makes a difference and check you suspension before having a 4 wheel alignment done. May be one of the people offering to check your car over can offer a verdict on the suspension condition? Once its confirmned to be ok then have the alignment done, no point paying twice for it.

What does the MOT history look like? Check https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/ to give you an idea of the previous issues and any concerns relating to suspension.

If the previous owner has put cheap tyres on it I suspect its not been loved much. 

[almitch1]

I'm not too far either..
Happy to have a look at it as well..
I've had all three mr2s since 2000..

I also have here's well set up daily mk3 and a track spec mk3 which is road legal
Both of which I can take you out in.. (when allowed)

I'm down basically New Romney (tn29)

Nice,

Sounds ideal

[almitch1]

Get some new tyres fitted, check and find what rears are in stock first and then find a matching brand front pair.
I've used Demon Tweeks, Camskills, Openo and Tyreleaders to get the best prices. A budget of £250 should easily see you pick up some quality branded tyres if you shop around, it just takes a little time to find the best prices.

Once the tyres are fitted see if that makes a difference and check you suspension before having a 4 wheel alignment done. May be one of the people offering to check your car over can offer a verdict on the suspension condition? Once its confirmned to be ok then have the alignment done, no point paying twice for it.

What does the MOT history look like? Check https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/ to give you an idea of the previous issues and any concerns relating to suspension.

If the previous owner has put cheap tyres on it I suspect its not been loved much. 

Hi,

the MOT history is good, no mention of suspension issues so maybe that means its all a bit old and in need of replacing?

Thanks

[Mark A]

Not necessarily,

I still think change the tyres, get someone with MR2 knowledge to have a look and check the condition of the suspension may be even drive the car. A suspension refresh is always beneficial, returning the car to handle similar to when it drove off the production line.

Its easier for many of on here because we can spanner and keep the costs down, parts are not expensive but labour can be. Use the advice here to help you select the best parts which are value for money and enjoy the car.   

[Joesson]

Seems to be differing advice, to recap @almitch1 said he has aftermarket:
195/55.15 on all 4 corners and the alloys are after market so from what i can see there rear alloys are that same width as the fronts.

He also has a set of FL wheels.

Advice as in #40 to remove the after market wheels, fit the FL wheels complete with some new OE size branded rubber and the car should be near where it was intended to be.