Good evening, looking for some advice from you guys please.

We have just purchased a 1999 MX-5 10th AE (standard six speed, Bilstein shocks & Torsen diff.) with 38K miles, unmolested with loads of Mazda service stamps.

The front tyres (Event 195/50/R15 82V) have a bad 'heal toe' problem, generating a loud whine above 25mph. (substituting the wheels & tyres removes the noise)

On the rear are Continental Premium Contact2s, about a year old and loads of tread.

It has been suggested (by the Mazda dealer) that wheel alignment was the problem and that they were the only people who could re-align the wheels back to correct spec.

A local tyre specialist said that Event tyres go like that over time and should not be on an MX5. Wheel alignment would not cause this problem.

My first question is:- Does the wheel alignment on a 10th AE differ from standard?

Secondly, what is the recommended Camber, Castor and Toe wheel alignment for a 10th AE?

Thirdly, should I put a new set of Continental Premium contact2s on the front to match the ones on the rear? or do you reccommend another make?

Thanks for your help, the noise is giving us head aches!

Regards, Tony

Tony will answer when he's back off holiday probably tomorrow with a "offical" WIM answer but in the meantime here's my thoughts;

1) Probably not as Mazda did many special editions.
2) Don't know about OEM off-hand but that depends on how you intend to use the car ie; "touring", fast-road, track etc
3) Not a fan of Conti personally but it's really a matter of personal preference. Can't say from experience but Toyo Proxes have a good rep and will almost certainly be much cheaper. Again depends what you will use it for.

Also, forget what the Mazda dealer said. That was just sales nonsense. As was what the tyre specialist said, unless they were incorrect speed/load rating ? It's unusual for front tyres to see H & T wear. They may have been on the rear at some point ?

Hi, thanks for that.

Our 10th AE will only be used for normal road use.

I have no idea if the Events on the front have ever been fitted to the rear, sorry.

Regards, Tony

oh Mazda were correct in saying that Alignment was, at least in part, to blame btw. Any competent chassis shop should be able to correct a distressed geometry though!

Hello Tony
Since the MX5 calibration positions are body height dependant there's no specific positions directed at the 10th AE that i'm aware of.

The pattern of wear "heel-toe" is complicated because no one really knows why it happens, the car/tyre manufacturer's blame each other with suspension frequency's issues and on the other foot tyre patten compression "pinch/push" ratio's.

We can help you with the exact Geometry positions one we know the current trim height, as for the tyres.. very subjective, personally i'm not keen on asymmetric tyres on the 5, i would prefer you to have directional tyres for a whole host of reasons.

Thanks Tony for your prompt response, hope you had a nice holiday.

The ride height of our 10AE is:- Front 340mm and rear 353mm (these readings are an average of four taken) (turning the car around on the same flattish parking space)

These readings appear to be on the low side but still within the 'standard Mk2' wide parameters.

So you would not recommend Conti Premcontact2's all round then, preferring the directional Toyo T1-r's?

Regards, Tony

340/353 equates to these calibration positions

Rear
Camber: -1 degree 14'
Toe: +9' per side

Front
Camber: +12'
Castor: +6 degree's 17'
Toe: +9' per side

In actual fact this puts the trim quite high, the lowest OEM being 327/346 respectively, which is quite a rake.

Tyre make is very opinionated..... I tend to steer clear of the topic in the forums because it can be argumentative, nevertheless i personally don't think the Conti asymmetric works well on the 5, i feel directional tyres footprint is more valuable on such a light car as the 5, failing all opinion's this site holds impartial opinion's> http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/

Thank you Tony for that information, the next time we are on the mainland and in your area we will come and shake your hand.
Regards, Tony
P.S. still contemplating the tyres.

Shaking of hands is good....... Fosters is even better