Miata Mailing List: August 1993, Message #19
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   From: Milton A Horst 
Subject: Tires
   Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1993 13:47:20 -0400


Herb Samuels  writes:

>I've recently purchased 15" wheels and am now trying to decide between
>195/50/15 tires from Bridgestone (RE 71), Yokohama (AVS
>intermediates), and Dunlop (SP8000).  How did you decide among these
>three to get the RE71s.  I use my car for street driving (aggressive)
>and would like a tire that not only permits exceptional handling but
>also gives a good ride that is not worse than the stock Bridgestone
>SF325 185/60/14.  I know that this is asking for for a great deal and
>is probably unrealistic.  However, I'd like your ideas as to how you
>made your decision.  Anyone else have any thoughts on this matter.

As a general rule, when you go down in aspect ratio (60->50), you go
up in sidewall stiffness and trade ride quality for improved turn-in.
I would expect any of these choices to ride worse than your OEM
Bridgestones.  How much worse and whether or not it matters depends
on the sensitivity of one's own seat-of-pants.  BTW, you might also
consider installing Koni adjustable shocks.  On their softest setting,
ride comfort is (IMHO) considerably better than the stock shocks
provide, and autocross-style performance is only a twist of the
adjustment knob away.

Alex  writes:

>What I would like to know is: does anyone have a comprehensive
>rating/guide to performance tires? Consumer Reports rates a few street
>tires, but I see several pages of listings from places like Tire Rack
>and I really wonder how all the tires are rated (speed, wear, temp,
>rain, snow, etc.).  Does anyone know of such a guide?

Road & Track did a performance tire test about 5 years ago.  I also
saw a performance tire review in European Car last month, but this
was not really a test.  Its about time that R&T or Car and Driver did
one of these tests again, since many tires have been replaced by new
models in the interim.  BTW, I found a good deal at Tire America on
Dunlop D40M2-s (winners of the "old" Road & Track test) in 195/50x15.
They are being mounted on 7x15 rims even as I speak.

Milton Horst
Seattle, WA