Street/Track Tyres

[Nark]

Went to get a price for RT615s today for the MX-5 and to my horror, I was told that they don't come in 205/45R16!

Done a bit of research and I've got a shortlist of these 3:

1. Bridgestone Adrenaline RE001
2. Hankook Ventus R-S2
3. Federal 595RS (or 595RS-R which has stiffer sidewalls and softer compound)

Anyone had experience with any of these tyres? I'm interested in grip, progressiveness, and communication. Comparisons between the 3 or to the RT615 or RE050As would be fantastic!

[MR22ZZ]

Why not the Kumho V700 for V70A?

From those listed I know someone who has run all 3 tyres are the Federals shit all over the other 2.

[Nark]

Why not the Kumho V700 for V70A?

Hadn't thought of them.

From those listed I know someone who has run all 3 tyres are the Federals shit all over the other 2.

Were they the RSs or RS-Rs?

[MR22ZZ]

uuuuuum I'd have to check that one.
I think they were the SS-595RS but not 100%

[Sprinterboy]

Nark, you have PM

[YLD-16L]

Nark, I have the same problem, the dreaded 205/45R16.

I have used the Kuhmo Ecsta V70A and they are far more of a track tyre than the other 3 you listed. Very stiff side wall compaered to the others, a lot of road noise, really need to get heat into them before they start working, no rim protection at all. On my 16x7" rims the rim lip sat proud of the tyre by several mm's. In saying that though the V70A had a very squared tread/sidewall so it actually had a wider contact patch than any other 205 width tyre I have used.

As far as I am aware the Hankook Ventus RS-2 is not available in 205/45R16 either as I have asked at a number of places and no one could get them in that size. Maybe that has changed recently???

For street driving the Falken RT215/RT615 is better than the V70A. On the track after 3 laps or so to warm up the V70A is a bit better than the Falken and deals with higher temps a little better.

I am looking at the Federal SS595RS's for my car if I persist with 16" wheels. Just be sure when you get a price they quote you for the right model tyre. I asked for a set of SS595RS's and the base model SS595's were priced and ordered SS595 is the base model, the SS595Evo is next and then the SS595RS is the top one and would be closest to the Falken RT615 in performance.

Let us know what you end up choosing and what price they end up being.

[rob]

you have a mx-5 now?

[Nark]

Nark, you have PM

Ooh... Thanks dude!

Nark, I have the same problem, the dreaded 205/45R16.

I have used the Kuhmo Ecsta V70A and they are far more of a track tyre than the other 3 you listed. Very stiff side wall compaered to the others, a lot of road noise, really need to get heat into them before they start working, no rim protection at all. On my 16x7" rims the rim lip sat proud of the tyre by several mm's. In saying that though the V70A had a very squared tread/sidewall so it actually had a wider contact patch than any other 205 width tyre I have used.

As far as I am aware the Hankook Ventus RS-2 is not available in 205/45R16 either as I have asked at a number of places and no one could get them in that size. Maybe that has changed recently???

For street driving the Falken RT215/RT615 is better than the V70A. On the track after 3 laps or so to warm up the V70A is a bit better than the Falken and deals with higher temps a little better.

I am looking at the Federal SS595RS's for my car if I persist with 16" wheels. Just be sure when you get a price they quote you for the right model tyre. I asked for a set of SS595RS's and the base model SS595's were priced and ordered SS595 is the base model, the SS595Evo is next and then the SS595RS is the top one and would be closest to the Falken RT615 in performance.

Let us know what you end up choosing and what price they end up being.

Wow! Good feedback! I'll see how I go.

The problem is that I won't have anything to compare them with except for T1Rs (worst tyre evar!).
But if I end up getting the 595RSs and you've got a 100x4 PCD then you're free to give them a try. I've only got 6.5" rims though so not sure if you'll have problems with your brakes.

you have a mx-5 now?

Yeah. You stopped paying attention to me so I had to do something to attract more boys to my yard.

Bought it about 2 months ago? Celica will probably go soon. *sniffle*

[YLD-16L]

Wow! Good feedback! I'll see how I go.

The problem is that I won't have anything to compare them with except for T1Rs (worst tyre evar!).
But if I end up getting the 595RSs and you've got a 100x4 PCD then you're free to give them a try. I've only got 6.5" rims though so not sure if you'll have problems with your brakes.

The T1R's are a little lacking aren't they, fine for pottering around but pushed hard I think the sidewalls are too flimsy and the tread lacks any real blocking to feel stable. My T1R's went from near new to illegal in one track day

The MX-5 won't accept a 205/50R16??

[PlacentaJuan]

what kind of price per tyre are you looking at for these?

[Nark]

The T1R's are a little lacking aren't they, fine for pottering around but pushed hard I think the sidewalls are too flimsy and the tread lacks any real blocking to feel stable. My T1R's went from near new to illegal in one track day

Yeah, soft sidewall, communication and progressiveness were very lacking. Horrible tyres.

The MX-5 won't accept a 205/50R16??

Probably would fit. I'm just wary of the fact that they're 3.3% larger which means weight and torque multiplication works against me. When you've got an MX-5, you need to worry about these things 'coz it needs all the help it can get...
BTW, RT615s come in that size as well.

what kind of price per tyre are you looking at for these?

Prolly around $200-ish?

[Nark]

Some research from a fellow weight weenie.

205/45R16
RE001: 9.5kg
R-S2: 9.0kg
595RS: 8.9kg

Comparing to RT615 16" sizes
225/50R16 11.4kg
215/45R16 9.8kg
205/40R16 8.3kg

Geez, drivers of light cars can be anal over weight...

[MR22ZZ]

I think the Federals are more like about $260 in the size you are looking at.
But I've not priced them myself so I could be wrong.
You could also have some contacts that may help out in lowering the price a bit too.

and most of the time the extra weight is in the sidewalls, heavier means thicker obviously

[YLD-16L]

Geez, drivers of underpowered cars can be anal over weight...

Fixed

I think the Federals are more like about $260 in the size you are looking at.

Similar to what I was quoted a few months back for the 595RS, a local tyre outlet wanted over $300/tyre

[Nark]

Fixed

LOL

T'is true.

[Officer Doofy]

Im a big fan of Federal tyres now. I have the SS595's on the cressy and love them. I just bought a set of Rs595's for the Mr2 but havnt had a chance to give them a good run in yet.
195 50 15 $170 a tyre in the Rs but im lucky as i know someone in the bussiness.

[Sprinterboy]

Ditto...............

[greatbuzup]

MX5 mania sells the federal 595RSRs for $210 in your size.

http://www.mx5mania.com.au/wheels.htm

I havent tried em yet but they reckon they're pretty good. I'm gonna chuck a set on my stock rims (15") for track day tyres next.

Even if you could get the RT615s in your size I would be hesitant. I tried the RT215s on my MX5 and they were rubbish. They never really heated up properly, i tried a big range of differnet pressures and just couldnt get any grip out of them. They seem to suit heavier cars alot better than light ones.

Has anyone used 215s and 615s? much difference?

[MR22ZZ]

you sir have just made my day

+rep to you

[finney]

hmm... 205/40R16's for RT615's.. If only I'd known previously about these