Miata List Archive

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Mail From: rzander01 (Ron Zander)

I need to hear from those out there using the Toyo FZ4 tires. I'd like to
know if they are noisy for you, as in howling/warbling noise around 45mph.
My '95M had them when I bought it last year, they only have about 10k miles
on them, and they have always been noisy. I actually thought I had a problem
with the diff or a wheel bearing making noise. I now know it is the tires
though since I tried a set of 14" T1S tires care of Bonni today. They were
quiet as could be, no more noise at all. So I know it's the tires making
this awful noise. I'd like to get others experience before I go back to Les
Schwab to complain.
The size I have is 195/50-15, the T1S's that I tried are 195/55-14. Besides
the noise the T1S's were a hell of alot stickier too, but then I already
knew that. I really don't like these FZ4's.

Thanks,

Ron Zander
'95M

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Mail From: billkille ((email redacted))

[this was a MIME-encoded message - it has been]
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Ron stated:

>I need to hear from those out there using the Toyo FZ4 tires. I'd like to
>know if they are noisy for you, as in howling/warbling noise around 45mph.
>My '95M had them when I bought it last year, they only have about 10k miles
>on them, and they have always been noisy.

Ron,
I've not driven the FZ4's but I do sell tires. I'd venture to say
that one of the design parameters of any tire is that it not be
annoyingly noisey. (we're not talking jumbo, macho, 4 x 4 pickemup
tires here) Most noise complaints I've seen have been caused by
alignment problems. Run your hand both ways around the tread area of
the tire, if it is not smooth, or pulls one way and feels smooth the
other, then you've got irregular noise producing wear patterns that
are usually caused my mis-alignment. (the tire is not round anymore,
or "lumpy") You can have the car aligned and correct what caused the
irregular wear but it won't "heal" the tire. The noise goes away
with the installation of new tires as they haven't had a chance to
get worn unevenly or with someone elses good tires. Granted, some
tires do produce more sound than others but not to the point that I
would define it as "awful noise".



--
Bill Kille, Chestertown, Md. U.S.A.
"93 Tangier Orange, "The Slut"
Teams: DelVal & PACE
Md. Tag: DEL VAL


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Mail From: mhagerla (Michael Hagerla)

I tried those tires a few years ago and I absolutely hated them!!! I went
back to the tire shop I purchased them at and told them I wanted them off
the car and I put some Dunlops back on. These tires were horrible- butter
soft sidewall, noisy as hell, absolutely shitty grip in dry, and they
squealed like stuck pigs when they were pushed hard. I didn't intend them
to be track tires and I never took them on a track- all I wanted was a good
all season radial, but they wer absolute crap IMO. Perhaps the tire has
changed considerably in the last few years, because I sure am impressed by
the T1-S and the RA-1's that I am using now...

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: (email redacted) [mailto:(email redacted)]On Behalf
Of Ron Zander
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 5:08 PM
To: (email redacted)
Subject: [Miata] Toyo Proxes FZ4


I need to hear from those out there using the Toyo FZ4 tires. I'd like to
know if they are noisy for you, as in howling/warbling noise around 45mph.
My '95M had them when I bought it last year, they only have about 10k miles
on them, and they have always been noisy. I actually thought I had a problem
with the diff or a wheel bearing making noise. I now know it is the tires
though since I tried a set of 14" T1S tires care of Bonni today. They were
quiet as could be, no more noise at all. So I know it's the tires making
this awful noise. I'd like to get others experience before I go back to Les
Schwab to complain.
The size I have is 195/50-15, the T1S's that I tried are 195/55-14. Besides
the noise the T1S's were a hell of alot stickier too, but then I already
knew that. I really don't like these FZ4's.

Thanks,

Ron Zander
'95M

_______________________________________________
Miata mailing list
(email redacted)
realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata

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Mail From: bonni (Bonni Weatherwax)


> I tried those tires a few years ago and I absolutely hated them!!! I went
> back to the tire shop I purchased them at and told them I wanted them off
> the car and I put some Dunlops back on. These tires were horrible- butter
> soft sidewall, noisy as hell, absolutely shitty grip in dry, and they
> squealed like stuck pigs when they were pushed hard. I didn't intend them
> to be track tires and I never took them on a track- all I wanted was a
good
> all season radial, but they wer absolute crap IMO. Perhaps the tire has
> changed considerably in the last few years, because I sure am impressed by
> the T1-S and the RA-1's that I am using now...
>

Being the one whom "donated" a set of rather track-worn T1S tires aboard 14"
rims, I must agree with ya. Ron's tires sounded almost as if he had some
kind of misalignment, but now that I see so many replies, I blame it on the
mismatching of a high-quality car (MIATA, of course) and a 300 wear-rated
tire. I THINK that's what it said, at least. I sounded like a frigging
truck tire with knobbies!!! SWEAR!!! Whacked for a Miata -- but it seems
for a factory install, this is not at ALL uncommon. If I were ever blessed
with the chance to buy a brand-new Miata, I would bring my own tires.

And thumbs up on the RA1 comment -- you BETCHA BABY!!! Gotta love that
stick!!!!

BW

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Mail From: bonni (Bonni Weatherwax)

I sounded like a frigging
> truck tire with knobbies!!! SWEAR!!!

CORRECTION of a grammatical error -- should have read . . . "IT sounded like
a frigging truck tire with knobbies!!! SWEAR!!!" I cannot remember when
the last time "I" sounded like a "frigging truck tire with knobbies!" ROFL.
Just thought I'd make that correction before Wayne, Kevin, Ron, Cat, . . .
etc . . . got ahold of it. Although, this would make a fun NMC post. ;-)

BW -- OOPS! artist

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Mail From: rzander01 (Ron Zander)

Nope they haven't changed. You described them to a tee. I couldn't believe
how much difference the car felt with Bonni's T1S's on it. All I have on the
car right now is sways and konis and can throttle over steer the car very
easily because they break loose so easily. I doubt Les Schwab will take them
back at this point since they have 19000 miles on them ( I thought it was
less but I just checked ). I don't have money for new tires and I'm not even
sure I can keep the car so I'll just have to live with it for now.

Ron Zander
'95M


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Hagerla [mailto:(email redacted)]
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 11:45 PM
To: (email redacted); (email redacted)
Subject: RE: [Miata] Toyo Proxes FZ4


I tried those tires a few years ago and I absolutely hated them!!! I went
back to the tire shop I purchased them at and told them I wanted them off
the car and I put some Dunlops back on. These tires were horrible- butter
soft sidewall, noisy as hell, absolutely shitty grip in dry, and they
squealed like stuck pigs when they were pushed hard. I didn't intend them
to be track tires and I never took them on a track- all I wanted was a good
all season radial, but they wer absolute crap IMO. Perhaps the tire has
changed considerably in the last few years, because I sure am impressed by
the T1-S and the RA-1's that I am using now...

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: (email redacted) [mailto:(email redacted)]On Behalf
Of Ron Zander
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 5:08 PM
To: (email redacted)
Subject: [Miata] Toyo Proxes FZ4


I need to hear from those out there using the Toyo FZ4 tires. I'd like to
know if they are noisy for you, as in howling/warbling noise around 45mph.
My '95M had them when I bought it last year, they only have about 10k miles
on them, and they have always been noisy. I actually thought I had a problem
with the diff or a wheel bearing making noise. I now know it is the tires
though since I tried a set of 14" T1S tires care of Bonni today. They were
quiet as could be, no more noise at all. So I know it's the tires making
this awful noise. I'd like to get others experience before I go back to Les
Schwab to complain.
The size I have is 195/50-15, the T1S's that I tried are 195/55-14. Besides
the noise the T1S's were a hell of alot stickier too, but then I already
knew that. I really don't like these FZ4's.

Thanks,

Ron Zander
'95M

_______________________________________________
Miata mailing list
(email redacted)
realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: mhagerla (Michael Hagerla)

I think the only way that you could get your money back or exchange used
Toyo's is to use their 500 mile trial offer, but it apparently does not
cover FZ24's anymore- imagine that- LOL!

toyo.com/500_mile_offer/index_frame.html

-----Original Message-----
From: (email redacted) [mailto:(email redacted)]On Behalf
Of Ron Zander
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2002 6:31 AM
To: Michael Hagerla; (email redacted)
Subject: RE: [Miata] Toyo Proxes FZ4


Nope they haven't changed. You described them to a tee. I couldn't believe
how much difference the car felt with Bonni's T1S's on it. All I have on the
car right now is sways and konis and can throttle over steer the car very
easily because they break loose so easily. I doubt Les Schwab will take them
back at this point since they have 19000 miles on them ( I thought it was
less but I just checked ). I don't have money for new tires and I'm not even
sure I can keep the car so I'll just have to live with it for now.

Ron Zander
'95M


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Hagerla [mailto:(email redacted)]
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 11:45 PM
To: (email redacted); (email redacted)
Subject: RE: [Miata] Toyo Proxes FZ4


I tried those tires a few years ago and I absolutely hated them!!! I went
back to the tire shop I purchased them at and told them I wanted them off
the car and I put some Dunlops back on. These tires were horrible- butter
soft sidewall, noisy as hell, absolutely shitty grip in dry, and they
squealed like stuck pigs when they were pushed hard. I didn't intend them
to be track tires and I never took them on a track- all I wanted was a good
all season radial, but they wer absolute crap IMO. Perhaps the tire has
changed considerably in the last few years, because I sure am impressed by
the T1-S and the RA-1's that I am using now...

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: (email redacted) [mailto:(email redacted)]On Behalf
Of Ron Zander
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 5:08 PM
To: (email redacted)
Subject: [Miata] Toyo Proxes FZ4


I need to hear from those out there using the Toyo FZ4 tires. I'd like to
know if they are noisy for you, as in howling/warbling noise around 45mph.
My '95M had them when I bought it last year, they only have about 10k miles
on them, and they have always been noisy. I actually thought I had a problem
with the diff or a wheel bearing making noise. I now know it is the tires
though since I tried a set of 14" T1S tires care of Bonni today. They were
quiet as could be, no more noise at all. So I know it's the tires making
this awful noise. I'd like to get others experience before I go back to Les
Schwab to complain.
The size I have is 195/50-15, the T1S's that I tried are 195/55-14. Besides
the noise the T1S's were a hell of alot stickier too, but then I already
knew that. I really don't like these FZ4's.

Thanks,

Ron Zander
'95M

_______________________________________________
Miata mailing list
(email redacted)
realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata


_______________________________________________
Miata mailing list
(email redacted)
realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: tbeavan (Terry Beavan)

Soon after I bought my '97 M Edition year before last, I decided to
replace the elcheapo no-name S-rated rim protectors from its 15" rims
that the previous owner had fitted, and, well, due to the fact that the
T1-S's would've been about $100 more and Sun Tire didn't have a set in
stock in the correct size, which would've meant waiting all of a week at
most to get 'em, I made the mistake of having FZ4's put on instead.
Only nice thing I can say is they're better than the tires that were on
my Miata when I bought it, and mine really aren't all that noisy, at
least compared to what was previously on the car, but that ain't sayin'
much. I've often wondered if the disappointing lack of steering feel
(even with 32psi) has been due to some problem with my car's suspension
or steering, it would appear its the tires after all. And they're not
even all that good on wet roads. I'd warn off anyone thinking about
buying a set, I can't believe I've seen 'em for sale in at least one
Miata-specific products catalog.
Terry :)

Michael Hagerla wrote:
>
> I tried those tires a few years ago and I absolutely hated them!!! I went
> back to the tire shop I purchased them at and told them I wanted them off
> the car and I put some Dunlops back on. These tires were horrible- butter
> soft sidewall, noisy as hell, absolutely shitty grip in dry, and they
> squealed like stuck pigs when they were pushed hard. I didn't intend them
> to be track tires and I never took them on a track- all I wanted was a good
> all season radial, but they wer absolute crap IMO. Perhaps the tire has
> changed considerably in the last few years, because I sure am impressed by
> the T1-S and the RA-1's that I am using now...
>
> Mike
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: (email redacted) [mailto:(email redacted)]On Behalf
> Of Ron Zander
> Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 5:08 PM
> To: (email redacted)
> Subject: [Miata] Toyo Proxes FZ4
>
> I need to hear from those out there using the Toyo FZ4 tires. I'd like to
> know if they are noisy for you, as in howling/warbling noise around 45mph.
> My '95M had them when I bought it last year, they only have about 10k miles
> on them, and they have always been noisy. I actually thought I had a problem
> with the diff or a wheel bearing making noise. I now know it is the tires
> though since I tried a set of 14" T1S tires care of Bonni today. They were
> quiet as could be, no more noise at all. So I know it's the tires making
> this awful noise. I'd like to get others experience before I go back to Les
> Schwab to complain.
> The size I have is 195/50-15, the T1S's that I tried are 195/55-14. Besides
> the noise the T1S's were a hell of alot stickier too, but then I already
> knew that. I really don't like these FZ4's.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ron Zander
> '95M
>
> _______________________________________________
> Miata mailing list
> (email redacted)
> realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata
>
> _______________________________________________
> Miata mailing list
> (email redacted)
> realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: berck (Berck E. Nash)

> buying a set, I can't believe I've seen 'em for sale in at least one
> Miata-specific products catalog.

That's one thing I wish the Miata Vendors would be better about-- Not
selling crap. So many of the vendors will sell ANYTHING they think someone
will buy--it'd be nice if they'd make life a little easier for us by only
trying to sell us good stuff.

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Mail From: bill (Bill Cardell)

Some of us try...

Bill Cardell (TurboDog's Dad)
(email redacted)
Flyin' Miata
1-800-359-6957 (sales only)
970-242-3800 (tech support)
flyinmiata.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Berck E. Nash [mailto:(email redacted)]
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2002 11:24 AM
To: (email redacted)
Subject: Re: [Miata] Toyo Proxes FZ4


> buying a set, I can't believe I've seen 'em for sale in at least one
> Miata-specific products catalog.

That's one thing I wish the Miata Vendors would be better about-- Not
selling crap. So many of the vendors will sell ANYTHING they think someone
will buy--it'd be nice if they'd make life a little easier for us by only
trying to sell us good stuff.



_______________________________________________
Miata mailing list
(email redacted)
realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata

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Mail From: p.manning (Patrick Manning)

TurboDog's Dad wrote:

> Some of us try...

And have succeeded quite nicely so far, in my opinion anyway.

Pat

'96 B&T (with a bunch of FM suspension parts)
Nutmeg Miata, CT



> Bill Cardell (TurboDog's Dad)
> (email redacted)
> Flyin' Miata
> 1-800-359-6957 (sales only)
> 970-242-3800 (tech support)
> flyinmiata.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Berck E. Nash [mailto:(email redacted)]
> Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2002 11:24 AM
> To: (email redacted)
> Subject: Re: [Miata] Toyo Proxes FZ4
>
>
> > buying a set, I can't believe I've seen 'em for sale in at least one
> > Miata-specific products catalog.
>
> That's one thing I wish the Miata Vendors would be better about-- Not
> selling crap. So many of the vendors will sell ANYTHING they
> think someone
> will buy--it'd be nice if they'd make life a little easier for us by only
> trying to sell us good stuff.