Which tyre size for an Na6?

[muzzy66]

Hi everyone,

I've have an '89 NA6, that's currently running Yokohama A539's (185/60/R14) on the original factory rims. These were on the car when I bought it, and the tyres are now worn and in need of replacement.

I've been wanting to replace rims as well (to 15" Konig Rewind, in gunmetal), and was about to start calling for some quotes - but I'm still pretty new to the MX-5 scene so I'm not really sure what to go for as far as model, width, profile, offset, etc.

I'll be using the car exclusively for road use at this time (no track use planned)

I had a look at the 'tyre recommendations' thread, and from there I've built up a shortlist of models:
* Yokohama C-Drive
* Toyo T1R
* Bridgestone Adrenaline RE001

So, now I have a couple of questions:
1. Going from 14" up to 15", what profile would I need to use in order to maintain a factory height - would 50 be right?
2. Do you guys recommend moving up to a 195 / 205, or do you think the standard 185 is fine?
3. What offset would would be the correct offset for the rims?
4. How do you think the above listed tyre models compare to the current A539's, and is there a particular one you would recommend above the others, as an all rounder?

Any advice is must appreciated!

[Pamex]

I run 15s on my NA. Tyre size is 195/50/15. Currently have it at boat height.

[StanTheMan]

I used to run 205/50x15 on my 6.5" wide rims 35mm offset

legally you can go to 33mm offset. Standard is 45mm

The A539's in my opinion were an ordenary tyre. which lasted way too long. The tyres on you car would have been quite old as this tyre was dicontinued some time back.

Advice on tyres is really subjective too. To me if you just want a tyre....The A539 was great. but if you want performance I'd be looking at RT615's Kuhmo K36's. but then everybodys idear of performance is different.

from what i've read The Toyo TR1 is great for the road. Shite for track. Some people loved them others hated them. You may want to do a search on some of the tyres you mentioned.

[Rob E]

15x7 +35 with 195/50 would be a nice set up, completely legal, no guard mods required

[trader]

I've had 15x7's on wheels with 35 offset (Momos) and now Volks with 43mm offset. The Volks do not fill the guards as well but no scrub radius (not that I noticed any difference) Did notice the difference in weight though with the Momos at 7.7 kgs far too heavy in my opinion. To keep the driving characteristics of the 14" I would suggest you take care that you go for the lightest you can find.

[muzzy66]

Thanks for the tips guys - 15x7 +35, with 195/50 sounds like a good combination so far!

Weight shouldn't be too noticable I dont think, as the Konig's are pretty light as well - I can't remember exactly how much they weigh, but I think it was within 1kg of the original 14's per rim in the 15x7 size.

[GS]

15x7 +35 with 195/50 would be a nice set up, completely legal, no guard mods required

NA6's came from the factory with a 5.5in wide wheel, so i thought you could only legally go up 1in? Or is that an urban myth? 15x7's on a NA8 are ok as they had a 6in wheel as standard.

[StanTheMan]

15x7 +35 with 195/50 would be a nice set up, completely legal, no guard mods required

NA6's came from the factory with a 5.5in wide wheel, so i thought you could only legally go up 1in? Or is that an urban myth? 15x7's on a NA8 are ok as they had a 6in wheel as standard.

legally you can go 25mm or about an inch. although coppers in Sydney seem to be on a defect spree going that extra 0.5 inch probaly isn't going to stand out like a loud exhaust or a +0 offset with 185 tyres streched on a 9 inch rim.
A 7 "rim although not legal would most likely go unnoticed.

[Rob E]

Right you are ... My error . I had it in my mind that the stock daisies are a 6 inch rim. Maybe just stick on an na8 placard

[muzzy66]

So I guess it's 15" x 6.5 rim, with 195/50 tyres then! Want to play it safe and stick with what's legal

Now that that part is decided, what do you guys think about tyre choice - Bridgestone Adrenaline RE001, Toyo T1R, Yokohama C-Drive?

[hks_kansei]

I seriously cant fault the RE001, a decent tyre, grippy, well wearing.

never used Yokos, or the T1R though.
I have used the Proxes 4 though (model below the T1R I think), a good tyre for the price, wet grip is good, dry grip is good (but not amazing), and they wear well, the 17s on my Mondeo have lasted 35-40,000km, mostly highway dríven.