LRR tires for Miata

[1337]

I'm in the market for new tires for my '06 Miata. The OEM tires are size 205/50R16. I'm not opposed to straying slightly from the stock tire size if there's a really good tire that's not offered in the stock size.

For reference, here's a list of tires in this size offered by Tire Rack. My three key objectives for these tires are: (1) decent all-season traction, (2) minimal road noise, and (3) low rolling resistance.

Currently, I'm considering the following tires, but feel free to suggest other tires that are available in a suitable size.
- Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 (H-rated)
- Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max (H-rated)
- Continental ContiProContact (V-rated; the H-rated version is not available in OEM size)

According to Consumer Reports, the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max has Excellent rolling resistance and Good road noise isolation. Consumer Reports rates the V-rated ContiProContact as having Good rolling resistance and Good road noise. To my knowledge, Consumer Reports has not tested the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422.

Does anyone have experience with any of these tires? Am I missing any other good options?



P.S. Some might say that a Miata deserves sporty summer tires. Here's my counter-argument: the Miata is 100x more fun than any other car I've owned. I don't think mushy tires could divide the fun factor by 100.

[Ladogaboy]

I'd recommend the Michelin Energy Saver A/S. They come in the tire size you are looking for, and they were the highest rated in this Consumer Reports review:

Consumer Reports tests fuel-saving tires, Michelin Energy Saver comes out on top

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Originally Posted by Ladogaboy

I'd recommend the Michelin Energy Saver A/S. They come in the tire size you are looking for, and they were the highest rated in this Consumer Reports review:

Consumer Reports tests fuel-saving tires, Michelin Energy Saver comes out on top

Nice find! Are you sure that they come in size 205/50R16?

[Ladogaboy]

hmm... I know that they do, but that might be one of the sizes that they do not sell in the United States. Not sure if they can be special ordered here, or if Tire Rack would carry them with enough demand.

[1337]

Originally Posted by Ladogaboy

hmm... I know that they do, but that might be one of the sizes that they do not sell in the United States. Not sure if they can be special ordered here, or if Tire Rack would carry them with enough demand.

That sounds reasonable. Tire Rack doesn't seem to carry them.

Have you had any personal experience with the Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires? If they're enormously better than other tires, I can investigate special ordering the tires.

[Ladogaboy]

I don't have any personal experience. They were the tires I was going to get for my last car, but they don't have a size that fits my current car. From all the user reviews I've read, Michelin's LRR offerings are almost always better (in all categories) than their competitors' LLR offerings. From what I've read about the Energy Saver A/S, you'll see a noticeable mileage improvement even in comparison to many LRR tires.

[99LeCouch]

I have the FuelMaxes OEM on the Cruze. They're all right in the dry, and not that great in the wet. They don't like to be thrown around, and reach their limits pretty easily. They're not terribly noisy, ride nicely, and definitely coast nicely.

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Originally Posted by 99LeCouch

I have the FuelMaxes OEM on the Cruze. They're all right in the dry, and not that great in the wet. They don't like to be thrown around, and reach their limits pretty easily. They're not terribly noisy, ride nicely, and definitely coast nicely.

Nice! I wish I could "test drive" the tires before buying them...

[1337]

Originally Posted by 1337

- Continental ContiProContact (V-rated; the H-rated version is not available in OEM size)

I was mistaken. Discount Tires sells an H-rated Continental ContiProContact in the size 205/50R16.

I wonder how "complete" Tire Rack's selection of tires is.

I also noticed that the Michelin HydroEdge is available in 205/55R16.

[d0sitmatr]

Originally Posted by 1337

I was mistaken. Discount Tires sells an H-rated Continental ContiProContact in the size 205/50R16.

I wonder how "complete" Tire Rack's selection of tires is.

I also noticed that the Michelin HydroEdge is available in 205/55R16.

if it was me, Id go at least a size larger, it will definitely help lower your RPM
plus, road noise could be cut by 1/2 just by upsizing 1 size.
I cant say how well those hydro edges will work for LRR, but Im pretty sure you can find any of the other tires mentioned in a 205/55/16. you also might look into a 195/55/16 (if possible) going slightly thinner and slightly taller will make a pretty big difference, however, you will lose enough traction that you will notice a difference. whether that is a problem for you is entirely up to you