Question Regarding Tires

[BBK]

When I recently purchased my Mk IV, the dealer advised the tires were new. I went through the old service records from the prior owner and, while the tires look great with lots of tread, the receipt for the tires (Cooper Cobra) is dated in 1999.  This has been verified by the mechanic currently working on my car from dating the tires from the codes on them. So, the tires are 13 years old and are potentially dangerous to drive on, especially from a lesson learned on a blow out on my 1971 Triumph Stag a few years ago on old tires.
   
   The current tire sizes are:
   
   Front: 7 X 16 inch wheel; 225/60 VR16 (stock specification)
   Rear: 8 X 16 inch wheel; 255/60 VR16  (stock specification)
   
   The mechanic found some possibilities in a BF Goodrich Sport Comp and a Toyo tire in the correct sizes, but also found a Michelin Pilot Sport, where the front tires are the correct 225/60 16 but the rear tires are 245/60 16...thus, the profile is a bit different and not as tall as the 255/60.
   
   I was hoping for any suggestions for a good source for correct tires, even if I have to source them from Europe.  Also, any thoughts as to using a different profile Michelin 245 series tire vs. a 255 series tire on the rear (the stock spec.)?  Thank you!

[westcott]

I had the Toyo Proxes T1 tires (z-rated) on my former big block car with the same dimensions and never had problems. They are also mounted on my MK IV and would be my decision for correct sizes because i have no experiance with the BF Goddrich.
   
   The Michelin Pilot Sport are a bit better in handling on the road and if You can live with the smaller rear tires it is a good alternative.

[Spantik]

Actually AVON has such dimensions (255 60 R16). Avon TurboSpeed CR27 255/60 R16 103W.
   Did you ask Good Year if they still manufacture such sizes for "old timers"?

[MkIV Lux]

I doubt the info of your mechanic! The Michelin Pilot Sport comes in 255/50ZR16 !! This is a vintage tire that Michelin produces and is not to be confused with the modern Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus.
   
   These tires are great! Particularly in the rain.
   I have the Michelins mounted on my Mk IV. They are available at Longstone Tyres in the UK and most probably from any Michelin dealer.
   
   http://www.longstonetires.com/page/255-50zr16-michelin-pilot-sport.html

[MkIV Lux]

quote:Originally posted by Spantik
   
Actually AVON has such dimensions (255 60 R16). Avon TurboSpeed CR27 255/60 R16 103W.
   ..
   

   
   Avon Turbo Speed (CR27 255/60 R16) have a narrower section but greater diameter than the Michelin Pilot Sport.

[nikbj68]

Might I suggest whichever tyres you purchase, that you send the invoice to the dealer who incorrectly told you that the Coopers were new!

[302EFI]

quote:Originally posted by MkIV Lux
   
I doubt the info of your mechanic! The Michelin Pilot Sport comes in 255/50ZR16 !! This is a vintage tire that Michelin produces and is not to be confused with the modern Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus.
   
   These tires are great! Particularly in the rain.
   I have the Michelins mounted on my Mk IV. They are available at Longstone Tyres in the UK and most probably from any Michelin dealer.
   
   http://www.longstonetires.com/page/255-50zr16-michelin-pilot-sport.html
   

   
   I have the ZR16 Michelin Pilot Sports mounted on my MkIV, too. They are really good.
   Jürgen

[Flyinghorse]

I recall this being an old question ,and had previously researched it on the forum as I need new tyres for my 16" alloys. What came up was Kumho Ecsta SPT KU31
   225 50 R16 W speed  Note this is also available in a run flat version the xrp.
   245 50 R16 W speed  (there was a 255 but its no longer made)
   
   http://www.kumhotyre.co.uk/selector.php?tyre_id=26
   
   I dont know how good these are but saw 2 CRS at the recent Scottish international with them on and in discussion with the owners both liked them. They are cost effective as well £400 for 4,with the correct speed rating.
   
   I quite like the 16" alloys so would like to get wider rear tyres in this range,but 255 seem's the largest I have seen so far.
   
   My CRS handbook states stock were 225/50/16 front and 255/50/16 rear.
   
   A lot of people head down the 15" wheel route with Avon Cr6zz's where there is choice.
   
   Graham

[nikbj68]

Found this Twitter thing:
   VintageTyre: If you've checked your tyres and are shocked by their age, call us today and ask for charlie; quote #howoldareyours for 5% off replacements!
   5th July, 2012 by VintageTyre
    Vintage Tyres
   That brings a set of 4 Michelin 225/255`s to under £1000 (before VAT!)
   
   BUT, Longstone are offering free shipping, same base price for the tyres and only Longstone have those posters!
   
   
   (Click pic)

[MkIV Lux]

nice posters indeed, got a set from Longstone at Le Mans Classic, with the purchase of inner tubes ;-)

[cobham cobra]

I have Kuhmo’s on my 16 inchers and they were very good in both dry and wet conditions. But I had real problems when I needed to replace them because Kuhmo tyers stopped importing them to Europe. The size is shared with Mustangs and Vette’s which tend to use BF Goodrich Comp t/a which are OK and not too expensive, but we also share the size with a few Aston Martin’s and Ferrari’s which is the recently reissued (special order) Michelin Pilot which I understand is a good tyre, but very expensive – I was quoted £400 per corner.
   Sometime ago I had Toyo Proxes on my TVR and they were very good, but they’re quite low profile for the look of a Cobra and I wasn’t aware they were available in Europe in our size – I was a guest of Toyo tyres at Goodwood last year and tried to get a set, but the Toyo chaps couldn’t help.
   
   Last year I chose to convert to the 15 inch wheels and fit the Avon CR6zz which I have found to be a great dry weather tyre, but a little limiting in the wet at they don’t clear standing water well and the rears are prone to aquaplane in very heavy rain ie a UK summer [].
   
   The Kuhmo’s easily lasted 15k miles and are now on another members MKIV with loads of mileage left.
   The Avon’s have not lasted so well with the rears requiring replacement at 4k miles[:0].

[DGoose]

Hi John,
   
   Having witnessed a number of your "controlled" hill starts at Brooklands I would suggest that 4k miles is very good []

[Classicus]

From the Longstone's ad at bottom - love it thanks Nik....!! []
   _______________________________
   
   "FREE VINTAGE CAR DESKTOP WALLPAPER ARTWORK!
   
   Click HERE to download our FREE Vintage Car Desktop Wallpaper for your computer from our Flickr page.
   
   Pirelli have been very clever with their calendar images (as shown in the January issue of Tyre Trade News), which Longstone Tyres have tried to replicate. The genius of Pirelli is to take their product (tyres), often perceived to be a grudge purchase, and make their brand stand out from the rest of the world of tyres by making Pirelli tyres sexy.
   
   In the UK people seem happy to spend money on their suspensions and engines to maintain or improve their cars, yet spending money on tyres appears to be bitterly considered as similar to paying road tax. For Pirelli to have used sassy advertisement to transform this mood of resentment into making people feel that because they are buying Pirelli they are buying something sexy is genius.
   
   Since the late 1800's and as long as people have had garages for motor powered vehicles, there have been smutty posters hung on these walls; Longstone Tyres endeavour to continue this tradition along with their excellent tyre provision. If you need tyres for a car from this century, don?t ring Longstone. However if your car is from the last two centuries you will get more expertise and help from Longstone than anywhere else. Because of Longstone's knowledge and trade discounts designed to help tyre traders make a profit, they are now shipping unusual tyres all over the world.
   
   Some time ago Longstone tyres used a mildly smutty period picture to produce an advert, which depicted a lady flashing a touch of garter, sitting on the spare wheel of a 20's Citroën while being wooed by a dapper young man. The advert was published in a magazine specialising in pre war cars. The Editor of the magazine contacted Longstone tyres to tell them they had received two letters of complaint. Dougal Cawley from Longstone apologised to the editor, promising never to do it again, only to be told by said editor that he was over the moon; they had historically never had such a dramatic response to anything they had published, and could they have more? Things have somewhat developed from there. Longstone tyres now offer several saucy posters, which they deliver free of charge, some of which incorporate a classic car tyre fitment and pressure recommendation. Also, when submitting your request on their web-page, if you put a note in the appropriate section there is the opportunity to be sent the extra smutty posters - seen here."

[Gus Meyjes]

Mileage, or the lack thereof is what made me switch from the "billboard" Good Year tires to Mickey Thompson. Not sure whether they would be available in the UK. I usually would get about 4K miles on the Good Year rears. Aside from the fact that these tires simply are of horrid geometry. They are not round and can never be properly balanced. The Mickey Thompsons are modern radials. I have the ST radials I mounted them black wall out.  They look good, although not as period as the Good years, but they drive fantastic. I just drove the car 850 miles out and back to the historic Races at Road America. Great drive and smooth. No visible signs of wear. And to think that my Good Year's would have been 25% gone by that time.... Sadly, Good Year does no longer supply the GT II.

[BBK]

Thank you all for your comments and helpful suggestions.  Ends up that I actually have 50 series (vs. 60 series stock spec.) tires on the car based on clarification from the mechanic.   Thus the Michelins he found are a 50 series as mentioned by Mk IV Lux. Mechanic said the tires seem to be rubbing on the rear mufflers!  Seems like there are some choices in the 50 series range and perhaps the stock 60 series too.  The Michelins, Toyo and Avons seem like possibilities. Thanks to the collective group for all your help. Much appreciated. I think I will send the bill to the dealer!  Not the only thing I am finding that was not accurate.