vektro

I'm thinking of going with an 18 inch wheel on my '05 RL. Probably RonJon Legends. Been looking through the forums here about tire choices, as well as, tire rack. Looking at Yokohama Advan S4 and Toyo Proxes 4 or the newer Versado. I am looking for quiet ride, and performance. I know recommended size is 245/45/18, but how would 255/45/18 work out. Any advice?

Chas2

Bigger than stock by 1.9% 245/45-18 us a MUCH BETTER match, less than 0.1% difference.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

neuronbob

Chas2 is correct.

In addition, I own Toyo Proxes 4 tires and have driven 25k miles on them. They still have reasonable hydroplaning resistance except in the very worst downpours. They emit a high-pitched sound, especially on concrete, after about 15k miles.

The performance in dry and wet are excellent.

I've got about 5/32s left on the tires according to the dealer, so I expect another 5-10k miles out of them, at least. That's better than I thought I'd get out of them.

treky11

i have the 18 Advans and LOVE them. as quiet or quieter than the stock mich's. great wet and dry traction. they were great in the snow too.

i highly recommend them. i have about 10k on them now and they still feel like new and are showing very little wear. (and i am a very spirited driver)

vektro

Thanks for all the replys. I have ordered the 18 inch RonJon Legends in chrome and am leaning towards the Toyo Versado. I'm really wanting a quiet tire, with performance second. Wheels are a few weeks off, so I have some time to decide.

neuronbob

I now have just over 28.5k miles on my Toyo Proxes and they are shot in the rain. I was in a downpour this AM and noticed far less hydroplaning resistance.

Time for new tires!

I mention this to say that I am VERY impressed with the treadlife for this "ultra-high performance all-season" tire...thought I'd only get 20k miles, especially since I drive my car hard and love high speed corners on the freeway.

Even so, this time, I'm planning on a different tire to get another perspective, likely Pirelli Nero Zeros, Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Positions, or the Yoko Advan S4. The latter two are very highly rated on the Tire Rack, and the Pirellis are highly rated by other RL'ers.

Will let you know my decision when I order tomorrow!

Chas2

What tires did you decide on? Just curious.

neuronbob

I decided on the Bridgestone RE960AS PPs because of their reported snow performance. However, the factory they are made in is having production problems, so the tires are unavailable. If they are not available soon, I will default to the Pirellis.

Chas2

Interesting comment.

I remember some time ago, I was going to by some Bridgestones from Costco, I cannot remember what they were, or even what car, but they were some type of Potenza high performance tires. When I finally got around to it, even though they were still advertised, the tire shop said we don't carry them any more. We had to pump them up to 100 psi to seat the bead, and that was too scary, so we sent them all back.

That was 10 years or more ago. Good luck with the RE960s, that is what I would have gone for.

neuronbob

Totally changed my mind. I ended up with Goodyear Eagle F1 AS tires instead. I should be receiving them Friday--living only three hours' drive from the Tire Rack national HQ FTW! They cost a little less, and are not on national backorder. Further, snow performance tested at the Tire Rack was better than the Pirellis and Bridgestones, and so were dry and wet traction. Further, we have two RL-ers who like them. If these suck, I'll go back to the Toyos.

Chas2

We have the Goodyear Assurance Triple Tred, which has such as similar tread pattern, on our minivan.

Clearly the compounds and the internal construction are different for these 215/70-HR15 tires with an 80K treadlife. But these tires are hands down the best tires we have ever had for kid hauling vehicles (various minivans), quiet, grippy, smooth riding, and very sure footed in torrential downpours. Not a lot of snow in the DC area last year, but they were so much better than anything else we have put on our minivans over the years in slushy stuff. So if similarity in tread pattern has anything to do with performance, I am sure you will be happy with them.

The F1 AS are also the same tires Touge put on his project RL.