Discussion
threespins
Standard M tyres were 185HR14's equivalent to 82/85 profile
Many owners fit what was standard on the turbo cars which was 195/70 V rated (though H rated will be ok on a standard engine)
Choice of decent rubber is getting harder on the 14" wheels, I woudl suggest looking at the Avon range
Hope that helps
davidy
Standard M tyres were 185HR14's equivalent to 82/85 profile
Many owners fit what was standard on the turbo cars which was 195/70 V rated (though H rated will be ok on a standard engine)
Choice of decent rubber is getting harder on the 14" wheels, I woudl suggest looking at the Avon range
Hope that helps
davidy
Tyre Size Calculator
Try this for size.
when I bought my car, it was fitted with 215/60/14 and the electronic speedo calibrated for this tyre size. I'm thinking of changing the tyres to 195/65/14 rather than 185/70/14 as the former is available in a V rated tyre and offers a better choice of rubber.
The current tyres are a strange make and have hardly any wet grip to speak off, but they will have to do until after Le Mans.
Try this for size.
when I bought my car, it was fitted with 215/60/14 and the electronic speedo calibrated for this tyre size. I'm thinking of changing the tyres to 195/65/14 rather than 185/70/14 as the former is available in a V rated tyre and offers a better choice of rubber.
The current tyres are a strange make and have hardly any wet grip to speak off, but they will have to do until after Le Mans.
You can go wider than 195 but remember you only have 6J rim, so you will get more movement of the tyre sidewalls under cornering. It is better to effectively match the tyre size to the rim to prevent this. (your sidewalls are at odd angles to start with a wider tyre). Low profile tyres have stiffer sidewalls anyway.
I have had (and driven many M's) with varying tyre sizes and with a standard (ish) tune engine reckon 195 width gives a great balance and a very progressive breakaway on the limit, very controllable and easy to recover from lurid angles!
If you 'overtyre' the car, you will get more 'grip' than 'handling' and although the ultimate cornering limit may be higher, if breakaway happens it will very quick and you will have to be very skillful/lucky to catch it.
There is also a comfort factor with higher profile tyres, as I indicated earlier lower profile tyres have stiffer sidewalls.
Personally I would only go the 205/215 route with 7J rims. Tyre manufactures do recommend a rim size for tyres (and a range of suitable rim sizes). You will find that as the profile decreases for any given width the rim width will increase. ie a 205/65 may fit on a 6J rim but a 205/50 wouldn't.
At the end of the day its personal choice.
I hope that helps
davidy
I have had (and driven many M's) with varying tyre sizes and with a standard (ish) tune engine reckon 195 width gives a great balance and a very progressive breakaway on the limit, very controllable and easy to recover from lurid angles!
If you 'overtyre' the car, you will get more 'grip' than 'handling' and although the ultimate cornering limit may be higher, if breakaway happens it will very quick and you will have to be very skillful/lucky to catch it.
There is also a comfort factor with higher profile tyres, as I indicated earlier lower profile tyres have stiffer sidewalls.
Personally I would only go the 205/215 route with 7J rims. Tyre manufactures do recommend a rim size for tyres (and a range of suitable rim sizes). You will find that as the profile decreases for any given width the rim width will increase. ie a 205/65 may fit on a 6J rim but a 205/50 wouldn't.
At the end of the day its personal choice.
I hope that helps
davidy
G...
Go to Mytyres and check out the Fulda Carrat Assuro's 195/70/14...I'm running these and they are the best i've tried so far, excellent grip. They are also directional and have superb grip in the wet! around £43 each.
Supes.
ETA: They do a 205/70/14 if you fancy a bit more grip on the rear!
>> Edited by SuPaSpArK on Wednesday 26th April 21:18
Go to Mytyres and check out the Fulda Carrat Assuro's 195/70/14...I'm running these and they are the best i've tried so far, excellent grip. They are also directional and have superb grip in the wet! around £43 each.
Supes.
ETA: They do a 205/70/14 if you fancy a bit more grip on the rear!
>> Edited by SuPaSpArK on Wednesday 26th April 21:18
Is this a cunning plan or what ?
I need 4 new tyres for my 3000S. Assuming Michelin 185HR14 XLS's don't grow on trees, why shouldn't I try to buy 4 individual tyres from guys who have perfect spares sitting under the bonnets of their M restoration projects ?
Anyhow I'm going to give it a go, and will let you know.
I need 4 new tyres for my 3000S. Assuming Michelin 185HR14 XLS's don't grow on trees, why shouldn't I try to buy 4 individual tyres from guys who have perfect spares sitting under the bonnets of their M restoration projects ?
Anyhow I'm going to give it a go, and will let you know.
Hi Peter ....you wouldn't want to do that ...been there done it...I have a concours M with G800's collected in that very manner for my very original car, they have all age hardened from heat in the engine bay but as tyres they are dead, Yes..they are black and round but as such bear no similarity to tyres that can be used on the road.
195 70 14 Fulda's are the very best in the marketplace.
Adrian
>> Edited by adrian@ on Monday 8th May 07:53
195 70 14 Fulda's are the very best in the marketplace.
Adrian
>> Edited by adrian@ on Monday 8th May 07:53
Thanks to Adrian's advice (and Mytyres) I now have nice new rubber on the 3000S. A set of four 195 70 14 Fulda's, fitted by Christchurch Tyre Co (very good place with CAREFUL fitters) cost a grand total of £222.90 including a tip for the lads. Great to have something that looks more like a tyre and less like old trainer soles, plus the ride is better, and I'm sure the acceleration and handling are too. Hmmmmm, a bit more like my Taimar when it was factory new, than let's face it a 27 year old car.
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