Replacement
tyres for MGV8s
Replacement tyres for a classic sportscar like
the MGBGTV8 and MG RV8 has been a topic often discussed by V8
enthusiasts. This note provides links to comments from several
V8 Bulletin Board threads on the topic.
(26.6.09)
V8BB thread started by Dennis Wharf on 16.5.08
What
is considered to be the best all round tyre for an MGBGTV8 used
for fast touring? On my previous BGT, which I had owned for
many years, the final set of tyres I fitted were a set of 185x70/14
Continental Sport Contacts which were superb. Quiet with plenty
of wet and dry grip, coupled with side wall suspension giving
a smooth ride, I was very pleased with these tyres, which at
any speed gave a real sense of security. Has anyone used Contis
on a V8?
Currently the car is on 185x70/14 Yokohamas which might have
been good when fitted, but now being over eight years old, and
although still showing plenty of tread, are very very hard with
little grip - especially in the wet! Bridgestone and Yokohama
both make extremely good tyres which I understand are highly
rated for V8s, however I would be grateful for a little advice.
Barry Martin responded: As no one else has replied yet
I can offer the following. When I purchased my RV8 two years
ago it still had the original Michelins so I looked at replacements.
One problem I encountered was the rating with conflicting advice
that V rating may not be man enough as it is as much the torque
as the speed achieved that affects this. Deciding to go higher
than V rating I settled on Continentals which had W rating.
Approximately £320 for all four tyres4, fitted. Two years
later I have no regrets, as you say the grip is excellent, due
in part to a softer compound, which will wear quicker, but at
3,000 miles per annum I think the walls would harden and crack
with age before the tread reaches the minimum. The ride, handling,
low tyre noise and general feel are excellent and i am pleased
I chose continental. In case you are not aware, there is a large
tyre survey result in the archives which is of interest.
Dennis Wharf replied: Thanks Barry, I think I will in
fact be buying a set of Continentals again, if for no other
reason than the fact that I was so pleased with the set I had
on my MGBGT. I did have a look at the tyre survey but found
it largely inconclusive although very interesting. I guess like
with so many things different drivers are looking for different
things from their cars, and tyres are big part of that. As I
pointed out in my original question, my car is used for fairly
quick touring, so I am looking for a tyre that offers a quiet
comfortable ride, but with confidence inspiring grip. I noted
too your comments regarding speed ratings, having always ensured
I have over, rather than under rated tyres fitted to my cars.
This is very important if only because insurance companies will
use lower rated tyres as a reason for not settling a claim should
a vehicle be so fitted and involved in an accident, with the
police also taking a dim view should people have been hurt.Many
thanks once again for your kind response.
Victor Smith responded: I am coming up to a tyre replacement
this year and whilst I have been pleased with my Michelin XWS
tyres, really the long life of that brand is of little use on
a classic car used for around 3,000 miles or so a year. So like
Dennis I ideally want a tyre with good wet and dry grip, a comfortable
ride and if possible quiet in terms of road noise. I am interested
in the comments on Continental tyres but also recall the comments
earlier from Geoff King in the tyre reviews on the Toyo tyres
fitted to his V8 Roadster.
More on Geoff King's Toyo report
Footnote from Victor Smith: I found Toyo
do not supply a 175/80 R 14 88H in the required H speed rating
for a V8
|
Really a tyre that wears faster than my
Michelins is not a concern because with an 8 or possibly 9
year life, the tyres on my V8 will have done barely 25,000
to 27,000 miles. Looking at the tread now there is a great
deal left but of course the rubber is ageing and the ride
is no longer as good as earlier from the "wooden"
feel of the rubber I have now. So I shall be very interested
to hear the feedback from Dennis once he has had a new set
of Continentals fitted.
The difficulty with choosing replacement tyres is each V8
enthusiast fits a new set of tyres at intervals of around
8, possibly 10 years, and none of us has the benefit of trying
a variety of tyres before so we can make an informed comparative
choice. So in the end the views of fellow members are the
best source of information we have to go on. So to that extent
our ongoing V8/RV8 replacement tyre survey is all we have
with all its imperfections. I would urge members to contribute
feedback via the replacement tyre survey when they do go through
the process of fitting new tyres.
I
feel I would quite like to have a new set of rubber before
the V8 Track Day at Castle Combe on Monday 8th September 2008
because the prospect of driving on my present Michelins (whilst
I am sure they are not too old for road use but will need
replacement in the next 12 months) will mean the handling
will not be as sure footed as that provided by new, softer
rubber.
George Muller added: I’m pleased to see this thread
because the replacement of tyres on my RV8 should be done
this year. It’s an issue I’m thinking about already
for more than a year. Main target is to get some more grip
on the road. But I'm thinking as well about run flat tyres.
Getting rid of the spare tyre would provide some more space
in the boot. And this would be really helpful on longer trips.
It would be as well interesting, if somebody has some experience
with wider tyres for the rear axle. Thinking about grip I
would probably go for a Pirelli and for sure not for a Continental.
Would be interesting to get some more feedback in regards
to this topic.
Peter Jevons added: My experiences with run flat tyres
last year were so awful that it made me change my car. They
were standard fitment on my BMW 325d M Sport. Firstly I had
2 punctures within 1 month and the replacements were £250.00
each!!!! and secondly and more importantly the ride was terrible.
The very rigid side walls of the tyres especially low profiles
contributed to the worst ride I have ever experienced. Why
not source a SAAB space saver spare wheel to give you more
boot space? Hope this helps.
|
