MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Performance Related => Topic started by: JB21 on February 2, 2021, 13:48

Title: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: JB21 on February 2, 2021, 13:48
If so how did you find the handling and steering? Compared to a staggered setup.
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: Petrus on February 2, 2021, 13:59
Try Spyderchat too.
There are several with square set ups. Wide too.
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: s12vea on February 2, 2021, 14:05
Few owners decide to go with the square setup, I would say 225 is far too big for the front.
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: 1979scotte on February 2, 2021, 14:06
I shall weigh in now with my usual.

I've tried 185-205 on the front and I enjoyed 185 the best by far actually didn't like 205 at all.

This wasn't in a square setup.
Think it was 205 215.

I think it ruins that car in the same way as fitting 17"+ wheels does.

It's 205 that people run in square setups usually isn't it?

Anyway different strokes and all that.
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: shnazzle on February 2, 2021, 14:30
I even noticed a difference going 185 to 195. I still like 195 but I reckon 225/225 will make it lose its nimbleness. Maybe even understeer?
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: Topdownman on February 2, 2021, 15:12
Tommyzoom likes his square set up but dont think it is that wide a tyre but have a look at his build page if you havent seen it.
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: 1979scotte on February 2, 2021, 15:22
Also it will need a 7.5 or 8 wheel and that's weight you just don't need on the steering wheels.
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: JB21 on February 2, 2021, 15:47
Quote from: 1979scotte on February  2, 2021, 15:22Also it will need a 7.5 or 8 wheel and that's weight you just don't need on the steering wheels.

Currently running 225 45 15s on the rear with 7J rims no problem.
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: 1979scotte on February 2, 2021, 16:10
Quote from: JB21 on February  2, 2021, 15:47
Quote from: 1979scotte on February  2, 2021, 15:22Also it will need a 7.5 or 8 wheel and that's weight you just don't need on the steering wheels.

Currently running 225 45 15s on the rear with 7J rims no problem.

It's the absolute maximum you can run.
What wheels have you got?
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: Alex Knight on February 2, 2021, 16:14
Quote from: shnazzle on February  2, 2021, 14:30I even noticed a difference going 185 to 195. I still like 195 but I reckon 225/225 will make it lose its nimbleness. Maybe even understeer?

More grip on the front axle will increase oversteer.
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: JB21 on February 2, 2021, 16:39
Quote from: 1979scotte on February  2, 2021, 16:10
Quote from: JB21 on February  2, 2021, 15:47
Quote from: 1979scotte on February  2, 2021, 15:22Also it will need a 7.5 or 8 wheel and that's weight you just don't need on the steering wheels.

Currently running 225 45 15s on the rear with 7J rims no problem.

It's the absolute maximum you can run.
What wheels have you got?

OZ ultraleggera
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: Dev on February 2, 2021, 17:18
You can run 225 or a square set up with success. You just have to make sure the profile isn't too tall otherwise it can rub. Going wider in the front has advantages of reducing understeer that many people who track their car complain about. As long as the rest of the suspension is tuned for it so you don't have the opposite effect of oversteer it could give you high speed stability. This comes at a cost of increasing the unsprung weight.

 I have 205 on 16" Ultraleggera in the front of my car and they do ok as a compromise since they are the only size I could get with the profile that I needed, my choices are limited. For a street driven car I felt 185s are the best even better than 195s. All it needs is a little front camber. 
 I have contemplated getting a set of SSR Comps in stock wheel sizes and tires just because the 185s nimbleness makes the car feel lively like a go-kart at slower speeds.   
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: ucb on February 2, 2021, 17:34
Mine has PFL rear wheels all round. 205 width, 15inch
Never drove the car with a staggered setup so I can't comment on whether it feels any different. I do have 4 195 width wheels (in a different finish hence not fitted) so could try it, or could also go 195 all round
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: JB21 on February 2, 2021, 17:37
Quote from: Dev on February  2, 2021, 17:18You can run 225 or a square set up with success. You just have to make sure the profile isn't too tall otherwise it can rub. Going wider in the front has advantages of reducing understeer that many people who track their car complain about. As long as the rest of the suspension is tuned for it so you don't have the opposite effect of oversteer it could give you high speed stability. This comes at a cost of increasing the unsprung weight.

 I have 205 on 16" Ultraleggera in the front of my car and they do ok as a compromise since they are the only size I could get with the profile that I needed, my choices are limited. For a street driven car I felt 185s are the best even better than 195s. All it needs is a little front camber. 
 I have contemplated getting a set of SSR Comps in stock wheel sizes and tires just because the 185s nimbleness makes the car feel lively like a go-kart at slower speeds.   


Tyres I'm looking at are used Yokohama A052 in 225/50/15 with around 4mm left on them. The reason for a change is my current AR1's 195f/225r are bald, but also shocking in damp conditions, and my Rainsport 5's just don't cut it unless there's standing water.
Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: Dev on February 2, 2021, 17:55
Quote from: JB21 on February  2, 2021, 17:37
Quote from: Dev on February  2, 2021, 17:18You can run 225 or a square set up with success. You just have to make sure the profile isn't too tall otherwise it can rub. Going wider in the front has advantages of reducing understeer that many people who track their car complain about. As long as the rest of the suspension is tuned for it so you don't have the opposite effect of oversteer it could give you high speed stability. This comes at a cost of increasing the unsprung weight.

 I have 205 on 16" Ultraleggera in the front of my car and they do ok as a compromise since they are the only size I could get with the profile that I needed, my choices are limited. For a street driven car I felt 185s are the best even better than 195s. All it needs is a little front camber. 
 I have contemplated getting a set of SSR Comps in stock wheel sizes and tires just because the 185s nimbleness makes the car feel lively like a go-kart at slower speeds.   


Tyres I'm looking at are used Yokohama A052 in 225/50/15 with around 4mm left on them. The reason for a change is my current AR1's 195f/225r are bald, but also shocking in damp conditions, and my Rainsport 5's just don't cut it unless there's standing water.

 How is your current set when they were relatively new. Did you experience lots of understeer for your needs? How much camber do you run up front?
 Used tires are a gamble especially if it has an aggressive compound as the tread depth is not important as the tires are probably heat cycled out. My last set had plenty of tread but they lost all of their grip which was dramatic.  I would check the production dates of the tires and I would want to know the history of the tires if it seen any track time.

Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: JB21 on February 2, 2021, 18:12
Quote from: Dev on February  2, 2021, 17:55
Quote from: JB21 on February  2, 2021, 17:37
Quote from: Dev on February  2, 2021, 17:18You can run 225 or a square set up with success. You just have to make sure the profile isn't too tall otherwise it can rub. Going wider in the front has advantages of reducing understeer that many people who track their car complain about. As long as the rest of the suspension is tuned for it so you don't have the opposite effect of oversteer it could give you high speed stability. This comes at a cost of increasing the unsprung weight.

 I have 205 on 16" Ultraleggera in the front of my car and they do ok as a compromise since they are the only size I could get with the profile that I needed, my choices are limited. For a street driven car I felt 185s are the best even better than 195s. All it needs is a little front camber. 
 I have contemplated getting a set of SSR Comps in stock wheel sizes and tires just because the 185s nimbleness makes the car feel lively like a go-kart at slower speeds.   


Tyres I'm looking at are used Yokohama A052 in 225/50/15 with around 4mm left on them. The reason for a change is my current AR1's 195f/225r are bald, but also shocking in damp conditions, and my Rainsport 5's just don't cut it unless there's standing water.

 How is your current set when they were relatively new. Did you experience lots of understeer for your needs? How much camber do you run up front?
 Used tires are a gamble especially if it has an aggressive compound as the tread depth is not important as the tires are probably heat cycled out. My last set had plenty of tread but they lost all of their grip which was dramatic.  I would check the production dates of the tires and I would want to know the history of the tires if it seen any track time.



AR1s are mega in dry conditions even when bald. The issue is in the damp, even when new they are terrible, like dangerous when trying to push on.

I run -3 camber all round. Front toe -4mm total and rear +3mm total. Front sway bar full stiff (2 setting) rear bar 1 setting from full stiff (4 settings).

Yokos are dated 2019 and were purchased new in 2020. Seller says they have covered 3-4 hours track time before Covid hit, he now has a new car so are no longer needed.

Title: Re: Anyone running 225 tyres all round (square)
Post by: Dev on February 2, 2021, 19:36
Quote from: JB21 on February  2, 2021, 18:12
Quote from: Dev on February  2, 2021, 17:55
Quote from: JB21 on February  2, 2021, 17:37
Quote from: Dev on February  2, 2021, 17:18You can run 225 or a square set up with success. You just have to make sure the profile isn't too tall otherwise it can rub. Going wider in the front has advantages of reducing understeer that many people who track their car complain about. As long as the rest of the suspension is tuned for it so you don't have the opposite effect of oversteer it could give you high speed stability. This comes at a cost of increasing the unsprung weight.

 I have 205 on 16" Ultraleggera in the front of my car and they do ok as a compromise since they are the only size I could get with the profile that I needed, my choices are limited. For a street driven car I felt 185s are the best even better than 195s. All it needs is a little front camber. 
 I have contemplated getting a set of SSR Comps in stock wheel sizes and tires just because the 185s nimbleness makes the car feel lively like a go-kart at slower speeds.   


Tyres I'm looking at are used Yokohama A052 in 225/50/15 with around 4mm left on them. The reason for a change is my current AR1's 195f/225r are bald, but also shocking in damp conditions, and my Rainsport 5's just don't cut it unless there's standing water.

 How is your current set when they were relatively new. Did you experience lots of understeer for your needs? How much camber do you run up front?
 Used tires are a gamble especially if it has an aggressive compound as the tread depth is not important as the tires are probably heat cycled out. My last set had plenty of tread but they lost all of their grip which was dramatic.  I would check the production dates of the tires and I would want to know the history of the tires if it seen any track time.



AR1s are mega in dry conditions even when bald. The issue is in the damp, even when new they are terrible, like dangerous when trying to push on.

I run -3 camber all round. Front toe -4mm total and rear +3mm total. Front sway bar full stiff (2 setting) rear bar 1 setting from full stiff (4 settings).

Yokos are dated 2019 and were purchased new in 2020. Seller says they have covered 3-4 hours track time before Covid hit, he now has a new car so are no longer needed.



 I have run out of suggestions as it becomes more or less a try and see situation unless you are copying someone else's tire choices and suspension. If you are looking for wet traction also then it comes down to all kinds of compromises where no single tire fills all rolls.
 However there are some max performance tires that do extremely well in the wet as that is part of their tread design for evacuating water and the kind of compound science for damp conditions. I would look at the tires that are known for their wet characteristics.