MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

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limey222
Michael Cubbon
Portland, OR
(129 posts)

Registered:
08/01/2015 12:55PM

Main British Car:
1969 MGB GM 3.4L V6

Urgently need tire recommendations
Posted by: limey222
Date: September 18, 2016 03:01PM

I want to change out the tires that were on my car when I first purchased it. I have 15" x 5.5 Minilites-style wheels.
The tires are an unknown brand. The car has a GM 3.4 V6 and T 5 transmission..
Looking for strong recommendations on tires, I drive very little in the wet and never in ice or snow.
Would like to buy a brand that handles well in the corners but has a reasonable ride too.
I'm thinking something in the 195/60 or 65 range. Not overly concerned about wear given that I only do about 5,000 a year.
I guess something with a relatively soft compound withstiffer sidewalls if that's possible. I think you get the idea


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2463 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Urgently need tire recommendations
Posted by: mgb260
Date: September 18, 2016 10:00PM

Michael, Look on Tire Rack. They have reviews and ratings. 195/60 15 is a pretty common size. 200 is a good treadwear rating for sticky tires.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Urgently need tire recommendations
Posted by: Moderator
Date: September 18, 2016 11:14PM

Sticky tires make a sports car much more fun to drive, and much safer too.

Michael, I really like my Dunlop Dirreza ZII "Star Spec" tires. For very sticky, summer rated, sports car tires the ZIIs are remarkably good on wet roads. I'm on my second set.. I bought the current set the very day I left Colorado for Portland. Previously I had some Falken Azenis tires, that were fun on dry roads but scary in the rain. My tires are size 205/50R15, and I have mine mounted on 15x6 wheels. But I think they're available in 195/50/R15, and that might be even better... Especially for your 15x5.5 wheels.
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ex-tyke
Graham Creswick
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
(1165 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:17AM

Main British Car:
1976 MGB Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Urgently need tire recommendations
Posted by: ex-tyke
Date: September 19, 2016 09:13AM

Quote:
My tires are size 205/50R15, and I have mine mounted on 15x6 wheels. But I think they're available in 195/50/R15.

[www.ebay.com]


[www.tirerack.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/2016 09:17AM by ex-tyke.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4512 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Urgently need tire recommendations
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: September 19, 2016 09:18AM

You will not find a very stick tire in the 195/60-15, but it is closer to stock MGB tire height (smidge taller).

What size tire was on the car? The 205/50-15 that Curtis mentions is the size I plan to migrate towards soon. It is a smaller diameter at 23.1" That is still taller than I run now. The 195/50-15 is even shorter at 22.7"

Also, I much prefer to mount a tire on the largest rim in the rim width range. Just me, not critical either way.

A good compromise would be the 195/55-15 Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec at 23.4". Curtis & I both think they will make you smile. :)


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4512 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Urgently need tire recommendations
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: September 19, 2016 09:24AM

195/60-15 = 24.2" tall Not avail. in a sticky 200 treadwaer Extreme Performance Summer tire

195/50-15 = 22.7" tall

195/55-15 = 23.4" tall (My pick for Michael) Speedometer will likely still read fast.


ex-tyke
Graham Creswick
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
(1165 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:17AM

Main British Car:
1976 MGB Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Urgently need tire recommendations
Posted by: ex-tyke
Date: September 19, 2016 10:23AM

You might also want to consider a perennial favourite that has good reviews and good size availability...Yokohama S Drive (UTQG 300 AA A rated)....not as sticky as the 200 but still a good tire.
[www.tirerack.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/2016 10:24AM by ex-tyke.



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