Been looking at tires and rims lately. I already have the rims picked out but am going back and forth on the tire selection.

My plan is to run 205/50/15r tires on an 8 inch rim. Seems to be a pretty popular setup with the Miata guys.

What I will be using the tire for is:
*Mostly street use
*Wont be daily driven on just a weekend car at most
*Rarely driven in rain/snow
*A fun tire that does well on corners and the straights

The tires I am looking at are:
Nitto Neo Gen VR's - $350 for 4 shipped with replacement certificates and valve stems

Yokohoma S.Drive's - $462 for 4 shipped with replacement certificates and valve stems

I am leaning towards the Nitto Neo Gen VR's because of the price plus they seem to be more of a performance tire. I have read great reviews on both tires.

Any input on either of these tires or have another tire I should check out?

 

You don't wanna go with treadwear less than ~300? Seeing as the car isn't driven daily and with added power.. I'd go for a stickier tire.

I ran the Falken 615s ( RT and K compounds ) for about 6 summers on the teg and loved them, however there's better tires out there but not in the sizes you're looking for.

Kumho Ecsta S isn't a bad choice:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+XS&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=05WR5EXS&tab=Sizes

Hankook RS3 is a badass tire but not available in your size .

 

You don't wanna go with treadwear less than ~300? Seeing as the car isn't driven daily and with added power.. I'd go for a stickier tire.

I ran the Falken 615s ( RT and K compounds ) for about 6 summers on the teg and loved them, however there's better tires out there but not in the sizes you're looking for.

Kumho Ecsta S isn't a bad choice:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+XS&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=05WR5EXS&tab=Sizes

Hankook RS3 is a badass tire but not available in your size .

I probably could go less than 300. The neo gen VR's are at 280:wink:.

The Falken RT-615K's and Nitto NT05's were on the maybe list. I was just worried about the life of these tires. How many miles did you get out of your 615's?

Falken RT-615K's are $503 shipped with valve stems and replacement certificates

Nitto NT05's are $436 shipped with valve stems and replacement certificates

I like your images a lot but I wanted to edit them to bring out more colors, pop out more, look more dramatic since they were looking kinda "flat." I hope you don't mind. Of the two tire choices, I run the S Drives and love them so far! I can't comment on the Nitto's.

Yeah im a noob when it comes to editing pics plus I was trying out a new free software app. They look good!

 

I like your images a lot but I wanted to edit them to bring out more colors, pop out more, look more dramatic since they were looking kinda "flat." I hope you don't mind. Of the two tire choices, I run the S Drives and love them so far! I can't comment on the Nitto's.

 

BFG Rivals, Star Spec ZII, or Ventus RS3 would be my top picks, in that order.

 

Bridgestone RE-11a's are a popular choice in some circles !

 

Looks like ill have more research to do tonight. The Rivals and RE-11A's look great and both are on closeout. Leaning towards the Rivals

 

After watching this video and reading the test results Ill be going with the Rivals. Going to order them tonight!

Test results
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=172


Edit: Order has been placed! Says a delivery date of this Friday which is alot quicker than I thought it would be. Guess well see.

 

You won't be disappointed with the Rivals! What size did you get?

 

I just got the basic 205/50/15. My original plan was to go 225/45/15 but pricing and selection steered me away from that. Maybe next time

 

Tires will be arriving today! Planning on ordering my new rims on Wednesday which should allow me to have them Friday. If everything goes to plan ill have them mounted and installed next weekend.

 

Rivals are awesome tires! And the more I see your car with the 94-97 front it makes me want to go back...

 

Rivals have arrived!

 

New rims have been ordered! They are super light for a 15x8

 

Super light FTW

 

How much is super light
And what wheels are they
I don't remember you posting about it

 

11 lbs :biggrin:

I havent posted which rims they are yet

 

Also loving this picture
I'll keep it on my lock screen for a little while

 

11 is light Damn

 

I guess the wheels will remain a mystery
Have you decided on a color or are we waiting for a total unveiling

 

They are black. Should be able to have them mounted and installed this weekend

 

6ULs? 15X8 at 11 lbs. doesn't leave much other wheel in that category.

Tires look meaty, me likey!

 

lol.. the detective is on the case !!

 

Going to be a good weekend for the teg! The new rims arrive tomorrow. I am hoping I can get off work early enough to get them mounted and balanced.

After doing some research I decided to order some new lug nuts that are 17mm instead of 19mm which will have better clearance on the rims.

I also ordered a bumper duct that I think will work for the bumper. It was only $14 shipped so I decided to give it a shot.

Rims, lug nuts and the bumper duct will all arrive by Friday.

 

They are not 6uls lol I know I know keep searching dustin haha. Cant wait to see this set up man ill have to come by Friday maybe go do a night shoot if its not raining.

 

Bumper duct?!?! Ain't you fancy!?!? In for updates!

 

New rims have been picked up!!

I present to you the Advanti Racing Storm S1's! 15x8 and only 11lbs!!

They use a new process to make them called Flow Formed which make them stronger and lighter than a cast rim. I purchased them from Brian at Good-Win-Racing.com. They have some of the best customer service I have experienced. We went back and forth through emails over a weekend (they are closed weekends) and answered all of my questions I had about the rims. They specialize in alot Miata stuff for all the Miata guys we have on here (Dustin lol).

Advanti Racing Storm S1 15x8 Black for Miata, 15x8


Also received my duct. Just need to figure out an outer trim pice to mount over the top of it then I think I will be good to go.

Yeah gotta let the 1/2 rad breath. There just isnt very good airflow with the fat intercooler in front of it

 

Moar black! Looks good man.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

Ended up bringing the tires and rims to get mounted tonight!

Just waiting on the lugs before I can install them on the car which will come tomorrow. Before I brought the rims in to the tire shop I test fitted them on the front to make sure they cleared the mini coopers and they have plenty of room!

 

Looks awesome man, now I'm looking into those rivals too