Mr2 Winter Tyres

[stavros58]

Hi

I bought a pre-registered limited edition 2006 MR2 earlier this year, brilliant car, great fun and about the best looking roadster for the money anywhere. but I live in a fairly rural area and the recent cold spell has made me think that some winter tyres would be great as the back end has slipped out a couple of times and I've nearly completely lost traction overtaking a very slow pickup on a hill due to frost, both embarrasing and a little hairy. So are there any winter tres that will fit the odd size wheels, 16 at rear and 15 at front.

cheers Stavros58

[cfc1]

There are lots of options for the front...

185x55/15 (front)

Kumho KH17 - £47.50

Vredestein Snowtrac 2 - £53.30

Yokohama AVS Winter - £50.50

Toyo Vario V2 - £49.20

Toyo Snowprox S 952 - £55.60

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 - £55.80

.. but not so many for the rear.. can't find anything for 215x45/16, closest I can find are below but you will need to double check they will fit.

Optional size 225x45/16 (rear)

Toyo Snowprox S 952 - £91.90

As it is highly recommended that ALL 4 TYRES on the roadster are the same make and model, that only leaves you with the Toyo Snowprox S 952's.. just aswell they are pretty good tyres.

The prices quoted are from Mytyres and include P&P and VAT.

I have fitted 214/45x17 to the rear of my own Roadster, It has also been lowered by 30mm and I have no clearance issues at all.

Difference..

225x45x16 rolling radius = 304.45

215x45/17 rolling radius = 312.65

225x45x16 circumferance = 1912.91

215x45/17 circumferance = 1964.44

2.69% taller.. not a huge difference and I personally think they will fit without rubbing.. but check with your retailer before buying.

[stavros58]

Hi Davey

Thanks for your detailed and very helpfull advice on tyres. I have to be honest I'm pretty clueless as regards tyres . The Toyo tyres do seem to be the best infact only choice. the added size from 215 - 225 on the standard rear rim will fit it i think you are saying it would just make the tyre slightly taller? and then the problem would be space in the arch is that correct? which does appear to have a little space unlike the front that has smaller tyres and loads of room.

If they do fit would it have any concerns regarding the standard suspension? and does it have any impact on the aero dynamics of the car? What is rolling radius and do I need to be concerned about it?

Obviously going for the 17" tyres means new rims so that is a non starter, at the moment I have Bridgestone Potenza RE40 on the car but from what I understand and have now experienced they are only good for summer / autumn . So a simple swap for the Toyo with the front staying the same size and the rear staying 16" but going up from 215-225 seems the easiest route. Is their a way to check clearance before you order tyres or is it a case of buy and hope?

Thanks Stavros58

[cfc1]

The rolling radius is the measurement from the full circumference of the tyre... in other words, roll it one full turn and measure how far it has traveled.

215x45/16 rolling radius = 299.95mm (standard car)

225x45/16 rolling radius = 304.45mm (new winter Toyo)

215x45/17 rolling radius = 312.65mm (My own car)

Current circumference (your car - 215x45/16) 1884.64mm (standard car)

Your new circumference (225x45/17) 1912.91mm (new winter Toyo)

My circumference: (215x45/17) 1964.44mm (my own car)

The difference between your standard tyre (215x45/17) and the new winter Toyo (224x45/17) is 28.27mm.

The difference between the standard car (215x45/16) and the tyres on my car (215x45/17) is 79.80mm..

As you can see, the tyres I have on My car are slightly taller than the optional tyre available to you, also worth bearing in mind that my car has also been lowered by 30mm... so with that I feel that the 225x45/16 should fit on the car OK.

Space in the arch.. should be OK with 225's.

As for handling issues.. My car handles pretty well.. but again you would have to take into consideration that it is lowered and also has uprated anti-roll bars, but to be honest.. with the winter weather and rear wheel drive you should be taking great care anyway... so it may not be too big of an issue.