Looking at tires, would like to hear thoughts from the group... The car has ~150hp and used for weekend driving, mountain runs and such, no track driving. I'll sometimes drive it to work, under 5k miles/year. It's lowered on FM springs with 949 alignment... just picked up a set of 15x8 +28 rpf1s.

considering 205/50/15 continental ECS, or 225/45/15 RS4s.

RS4s are on sale right now at tirerack fir $115 each. Would I have to do crazy fender rolling? are these overkill for street use?

My last set were dunlop DZII and I really liked them.

 

I have rs4's on my street miata in 225/45/15 flavor and I enjoy them a lot. I used to run them on my stock 95m bbs wheels. They are a great street tire in nice weather. I live in south florida so neither my car nor I have any concept on what is cold.

 

Thanks Andym.. I’m going to go with 205s since I’m not ready to roll fenders just yet..

 

I think 225s and 150hp is overkill for the street. You'll actually end up making the car feel worse with a big fatty tire, might as well return the RP-F1s for a heavier wheel too.
RS4 - no go if you ever see rain or sub-45 degree weather, but if you don't, consider the 195.
Conti ECS - A boring but VERY practical choice, it'll feel like it sticks the same in dry and wet at that power, awesome DD tire, life expectancy, etc..
205 RE-71R - I'll throw this one in the ring because it would be fine for 5k/year, grip is AMAZING, including the wet, more street cred, capable if you sign up for a last minute track day or autocross.

 

RE71-R and don't look back!

 

This may just be me, but for a car that won't see timed laps I like a tire that I can get a little loose and slide around a bit without breaking any laws. My last street Miata I put the cheapest performance all-seasons on that I could find, I think they were Hankook Evo 2. Good in cold, good in wet, and low enough limits to have some fun. They were also like half the price of RE-71's so I didn't feel too bad doing parking lot donuts with them.

 

My Euno RS Roadster is supposed to be 150hp from factory

I’m running 195/50/15 Michelin Pilot Sport and they’re great.

Both wet and dry grip are fantastic, but there’s not so much that you cannot provoke the car into oversteer in the dry. LSD helps there of course.

They’re pretty hard wearing too, they came with the car when I bought it 2 years ago, I’ve done 8,000 miles and there’s plenty of meat on them still.

 

ECS is an excellent tire. I don't see the point of grippy tires on a street car. I have DZ102's on my street Miata ATM and they are *** compared to track tires, but being able to kick the back end out on a bone stock Miata at moderate speeds is fun. What's the point of expensive, fast wearing tires if you don't need to utilize their grip? That said, I will buy ECS next because I've tracked a friend's set and it's a much more impressive tire, but at least as street-able. Tread pattern looks excellent for heavy rain too.

 

Well, grip is the opposite of kicking out. kicking out is due to a lack of grip. Rs4's wear well on-street use. I got about 15-20k out of my tires before I replaced them and by then they were old 4-5 year old tires. So premature wear isn't really a problem.

 

?? That's what I'm saying. DZ102 sucks but they are fun on the street BECAUSE they kinda suck. RS4 is my favorite street/track tire, but they are not great when cold. More "pure street" >200tw tires seem much better when its cold but above freezing.

 

i have had my rs4 for almost 4 years and they look brand new still. Granted its been on jackstands for 3 years

 

I had a set of DZ102s on my last wheels. Fun for sliding but not for going fast. Want stickier.

I'm still undecided. analysis paralysis..

 

Do you drive in sub freezing temperature? If so, you need dedicated snow tires.
Is your car your daily or a fun weekend car? If it is only a fun weekend car and you have a dedicated daily, then run Rs4's. If your miata is your daily, run Continental Extreme Contact Sports.
That's it, only those 2 tire choices. Makes for less analysis paralysis.

 

I went with Continental ECS. Why?
Right now there is $100 instant savings at Discount Tire direct.
This will stack with $70 Mail in rebate
The car sits outside when its freezing, and I do drive it some in winter. Can't have "R" tires ruined by sitting outside.

Now I don't have to deal with it again for another 3-5 years