Blockey tyres

[exkay]

Hi Guys,
I`m fed up with trying to fight with my XK 120 whilst driving it so its time to change the Blockley tyres on it, they are fairly useless at holding on to the road, just wondered if anyone has experience of any other make that are better and have the same period look, i.e Dunlop ect....i love the look of the Blockleys, but as i say, useless at doing there job !

[benjj]

You'll struggle to beat a decent period Michelin but by god they cost.

I dropped the best part of a grand on 4 15'' XVS on one of my old cars, they utterly transformed it.

[a8hex]

Have you tried the Blockley radials?
I was persuaded to put a set on my 150 when it was put on sale last year. They totally transform the car, what with those tyres and the 5 speed box it seems positively modern.
email me if you want a go.

[The Surveyor]

This Longstone video gives some good guidance on XK tyres:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detai...

Paul

[exkay]

Whats the part number of the Michelin`s ? i`ll look them up, also i did`nt know Blockley made the radials, are they period looking tho ?

[mph]

I've got the Michelin Pilote X on my XK Special and think they're excellent. Interesting that the video also rates them as the best, I haven't seen it before.

They are expensive, but in the grand scheme of things isn't it worth spending a few hundred pounds more to increase enjoyment on a car worth 10's of thousands ?

I previously had Vredesteins fitted and the Michelins are much better.

A friend had Blockley cross-plies on his XK and removed them after a few hundred miles. I've no experience of the radial.

[benjj]

I wouldn't touch the Vredestein Sprint Classics with someone elses.

Far too many reports of cracks, bulges and high speed failures while cornering.

Michelin all the way.

[mph]

benjj said:

I wouldn't touch the Vredestein Sprint Classics with someone elses.

Far too many reports of cracks, bulges and high speed failures while cornering.

Michelin all the way.

There was a thread about the "bulges" some time ago, in fact I may even have started it.

They're more usually indentations running across the sidewall and the official response was that they're due to the manufacturing process and are not a problem.

I didn't realise that there had been failures though.

[benjj]

mph said:

There was a thread about the "bulges" some time ago, in fact I may even have started it.

They're more usually indentations running across the sidewall and the official response was that they're due to the manufacturing process and are not a problem.

I didn't realise that there had been failures though.

In fairness to Vred the failures I know of have both been on classic rallies. That said it is just spirited road driving so it's enough to put me off them permanently.

[a8hex]

exkay said:

also i did`nt know Blockley made the radials, are they period looking tho ?

They don't have the same block pattern, so they don't sing like the cross plies, but otherwise they look the same. On the road though they are totally different. I'd always quite liked the "vintage" feel of the crossplies, but these make drive so much easier.

[lowdrag]

I've had Blockley crossplies on the XKSS/D-type for years and prefer them to the R5 Dunlops frankly. The R5 is better than the R5L on the road due to softer sidewalls but illegal on the road. That's why we always put them on the rim with the "illegal" bit on the inside! But comparing a radial to a crossply is like chalk and cheese. All crossplies "tramline" following truck ruts and ripping the wheel out of your hand if you aren't careful. The Blockley radials I have had on the E-type for a few years too, and they transformed the feel compared to the old Michelins - so much so that when I left MWS I did a U-turn and had the pressures checked. It was as if someone had magically added power steering. They "hum" a bit but from 30 mph on the sound is lost in the general hubbub.

Of course, you have an XK and so I assume 16 inch wheels, and I was surprised to see that Blockley are now doing a 185/16 radial at £169 per tyre. Last time I looked they only did them in 15". Of course, if you want to stick to crossplies then Avon seem to be the recommended make and they are around £155 but I'm not sure if you need tubes as well.

Drop me a line and I might be able to help further. I can't explain how in a public forum.

[RichB]

lowdrag said:

...if you want to stick to crossplies then Avon seem to be the recommended make and they are around £155 but I'm not sure if you need tubes as well..

I've got Avon Turbospeed cross plys on the Aston and I really like them. The specialist who services the car is always on at me to fit Vredestine radials but I like the Avons, they suit the car and I don't have any trouble with tramlining. The tread patter is very different to the Blockley mind you.

[a8hex]

a8hex said:

exkay said:

also i did`nt know Blockley made the radials, are they period looking tho ?

They don't have the same block pattern, so they don't sing like the cross plies, but otherwise they look the same. On the road though they are totally different. I'd always quite liked the "vintage" feel of the crossplies, but these make drive so much easier.

Well yesterday was the XK & E-Type club trackday so I got to take the Blockley radials out on the track and they were great there too. No nasty surprises just easily controlled power slides when you wanted too.

[Mound Dawg]

Z

mph said:

They are expensive, but in the grand scheme of things isn't it worth spending a few hundred pounds more to increase enjoyment on a car worth 10's of thousands.

Never understood this myself. I deal in comparatively cheap 60s and 70s Alfas and it amazes me that owners often compromise a car known best for its steering and handling by fitting the cheapest tyres they can find.

Weird.