Replacement Tires

[rprogers5]

The OEM tires on my 2006 MX-5 limited are Michelin Pilot Preceda 205-45/17. They are about worn out and need to be replaced. I don't like these Michelin tires because they don't have enough grip/traction. The rear end tends to spin out very easily. And when you try to burn out, there aren't even any black marks left on the pavement. I'm looking at two areas: 1) What would be an excellent performance tire that has great traction, and 2) the idea of getting a slightly oversize tire for improved highway ride comfort. Trying to decide between:
BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp2
Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport
Yokohama s-drive
Pirelli P Zero Nero GT
Bridgestone Potenza S-04 ....
All of these are in the $90 to $110 range on tirerack.com so price at this level would not be an issue.

Would anyone have a reason and/or experience to decide one over the other? Or would there be other excellent options?

As for the size: Are there thoughts on going to a
205-50/17 or
215-45/17
to get a softer ride?

Thanks

[jrj512]

And when you try to burn out, there aren't even any black marks left on the pavement.

Sure the tires are spinning? Maybe the clutch is slipping.

[cwisenheimer]

After polling all the usual sources (here, miata.net, vendors) trying to find the "right" answer to that same question, I just bought a set of Yoko s-drives. I can't vouch for them yet (too new), but that's the answer I came to. Oh, and I got a $50 rebate too.

[rprogers5]

Did you get the standard size; 205-45/17?

[gabkwong]

Do you have LSD? W/o the LSD even with the bigger tires 235/40/17 and stronger springs, I can spin them like crazy try to get going in the alley. With the LSD and the generous amount of clutch slip I can keep the slip away.

Back to your problem. These OEM tires of yours are almost 7-8 years. Any tires of this age would be no good anymore. 205/45/17 is on the skinny side. I definitely will go up one size (you need wider wheels to get the 235's). I got a set of minimally used BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp2 when I bought my 3rd set of used wheels. I am surprised at how much grip (relative to the 4 years-old Comp1) and how quite they. Granted all these things are relatively speaking. For street use I am happy and is using my BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp2. If you can catch them on sale w rebate (a month or two earlier) they are not bad a choice for street. One caution, buy the Dunlop is you looking for the best grip street tires. I have them too and they grip like glue!

[gabkwong]

You just missed the boat of Discount Tire retail store pre-Labor Day sale. However the Discount Tire Direct still has the sale going. Perhaps you can ask the store to match it.

[cwisenheimer]

I got them for my '02 in 205-45/16, FYI

[rprogers5]

Gabriel, what model of Dunlop are you using?

[effse7en]

I'd bet he's talking about the Z2's. Definitely not the DZ101's, I had those on my daily and they were horrible.

[Sloaner00]

^Preach. I have them(DZ101) on my NA right now because they were like $65 a piece and they say 300 tread wear but that is really hard to believe. They still have tons of life left after a track day, 2 auto x's and around 8000 miles so I'll give them that, but, they are terrible in the grip department. A buddy of mine ran the continental DW's (which have the same tread wear rating) on his mazda3 and they had tons more grip than mine. Coming from the StarSpecs (220tw which I really liked) I had high hopes but I am definitely underwhelmed. I will probably go RS3s but that's just because I have an itch for grip that I haven't been able to scratch for a while...