The old matching tyres problem (facelift 15/16 setup)

[rajid]

Back to this topic again!!!

But this time for a facelift with the 15/16" wheel setup
F: 185/55/15
R: 215/45/16

Have driven a facelift today
It has some mismatched tyres and they are trash brands too.
Came to a corner at 30ish mph, road was damp, and the car just felt like it was only planning to drive in a straight line 😂


Got me thinking

Is there any decent premium tyre that's offered as a full matching set in the original manufacturer sizes for the MR2?


Seems criminal to fit budget or even eco / mid range tyres to a supposed drivers car.

I know not everyone races around in theirs and that some people just cruise calmly (which is fair enough, you do whatever you want in your own car)

It feels like a backwards move in such a car! To fit inferior tyres especially in comparison to the originals.

My pre facelift car had Bridgestone tyres, that were very out of date, in the original 15" sizes. They were very old and I never in a year of driving hard encountered such a loss of grip throughout all weathers, they drove way better than these much newer dated cheapskate tyres that were on the car I drove today. Couldn't believe how crap they were.

Death trap!!! 

[Ardent]

Not looked myself for a while.

But as a starting point.
Falken xiex? Would have again.
Yoko ado8rs. The ad08r was epic when new.
Uniroyal rainsports good at what do but on the soft side.

[rajid]

Not looked myself for a while.

But as a starting point.
Falken xiex? Would have again.
Yoko ado8rs. The ad08r was epic when new.
Uniroyal rainsports good at what do but on the soft side.

AD08R's are definitely the best sounding option so far. Have seen a car for sale with some on it. Seem to be the right sizes too which is rare (?)

Looked them up and doesn't seem like a matching full set is available at the moment. Hope that's not forever!!!

[Ardent]

Do check the age of the ad08 tyres.

They don't age/wear the same as a normal tyre. They are are epic when new but awful when past their best.

[Ardent]

Matching is hard to find.
Matching in oem sizes harder still.

[Beachbum957]

A common "solution" for the rear is to go down to 205/45-16, and switch to 195/50-15 front, which opens more options.

[Carolyn]

I run Nankang NS 20s.  215/45 /16 and 195/50/15.

Thats on a PFL car.  The best matching set I could get in a tyre I like.

[Craigjm]

On both of mine I've done the same thing and that is add 10mm to the front tyre and drop the profile accordingly and then you can run Goodyear efficientgrip performance or Michelin pilot sport 3. If you don't make that change you are really into the realms of non matching tyres or stepping away from the premium brands

[Gaz mr-s]

AD08R's are definitely the best sounding option so far. Have seen a car for sale with some on it. Seem to be the right sizes too which is rare (?)

Looked them up and doesn't seem like a matching full set is available at the moment. Hope that's not forever!!!

The ADO8RS are not made in 215/45.  If I remember correctly 225/40 is the closest.  They are not very good in the wet.

[Ardent]

I've only had the previous R version.

The R version seemed OK to me in the wet for the driving I do.
Not tried the replacement RS.

[Jelbert the 3rd]

Using pilot sport 3's on a staggered set up and the grip levels are excellent,wet or dry.

[Ardent]

@Jelbert the 3rd hello and welcome