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Tires Choices for Big Healeys

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Age of the tires notwithstanding, what advantages do you anticipate after changing from the Nexen 165/80R15 tires to Michelin XAS 180HR15 tires?

I have Michelin XAS 180HR15 tires on one of my BN2 Healeys, but only because it has wide solid wheels (reproductions of the Dunlop steel wheels available in the 1950s) and needed the wider tires to fit those wheels. But I have Michelin X 155/15 tires on my other BN2, which has the original 15-inch, 48-spoke wire wheels. The skinny Michelin X radials look correct from every angle. At the speeds we drive these cars, there is no difference in handling.

Unless you're at least an FIA Bronze-level racing license holder who insists on flogging your Healey as though you're down five minutes at Le Mans, I submit that you're chasing only notional advantages.

That said, there's nothing wrong with getting newer tires if the existing ones are due for replacement, and there's certainly nothing wrong with canvassing forum members for their experiences and choices. But before you spend the money on new tires, I'd ask myself what advantages I anticipate from wider tires—and whether those advantages are worth sacrificing the original, correct, pleasing appearance and stance of the car.
 
The Nexen tires are 9 years old. I will replace them next year and am looking for the best solution, which will be on the car for the next ten years.

Joe
 
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" said the man as he kissed hisd cow, and I think the taller aspect of the 180 XAS graces the lines of a 100 in addition to better filling the wheel apertures and slightly increasing ground clearance.

Given that the contact patch of a Healey's tire is not much bigger than the size of a credit card anything that increases roadholding, esp in the wet, is of real benefit.
Editor_Reid said:
Age of the tires notwithstanding, what advantages do you anticipate after changing from the Nexen 165/80R15 tires to Michelin XAS 180HR15 tires?

I have Michelin XAS 180HR15 tires on one of my BN2 Healeys, but only because it has wide solid wheels (reproductions of the Dunlop steel wheels available in the 1950s) and needed the wider tires to fit those wheels. But I have Michelin X 155/15 tires on my other BN2, which has the original 15-inch, 48-spoke wire wheels. The skinny Michelin X radials look correct from every angle. At the speeds we drive these cars, there is no difference in handling.

Unless you're at least an FIA Bronze-level racing license holder who insists on flogging your Healey as though you're down five minutes at Le Mans, I submit that you're chasing only notional advantages.

That said, there's nothing wrong with getting newer tires if the existing ones are due for replacement, and there's certainly nothing wrong with canvassing forum members for their experiences and choices. But before you spend the money on new tires, I'd ask myself what advantages I anticipate from wider tires—and whether those advantages are worth sacrificing the original, correct, pleasing appearance and stance of the car.
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JoeCA said:
I currently have Nexen165/80R15 tires installed on my BT7 and am very interested in using the Michelin XAS 180HR15 tires. Does anyone have a measurement for their rear wheel to fender clearance with the Michelin XAS tires? I have about 1 3/16" clearance with my Nexen tires. It looks like this would reduce to ~ 1/2" with the Michelin XAS tires. The extra ground clearance would be a plus, along with the look and gearing.

I share the same concerns Rick and Wally made with regards to tariffs. I did notice the tires on Tire rack, but not the tubes.

Joe
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My rear wheel clearance with the 180HR15s at the rear on my BJ7 is 1/2". No issues with rubbing. Alan Hendrix can provide suitable tubes.
 
This is interesting, regarding Michelin XAS, the Moss website lists these tires as "new" and specifically state the tires are "tubeless", but you may run tubes if your wheels require them. It also lists them as "N Code", I know N is a Porsche factory approval spec for tires, so maybe them meeting "N Code" is what is new about them.

Oddly, if you zoom up on the image on the Moss site, you can see where TUBE TYPE is cast into the tire, but you can also see the production date of the tire in the picture is from 2014, so much for that particular example being new.

I'm curious because I would consider running these tires, but not if I have to use tubes.
 
Doing an internet search as to whether or not it is necessary or wise to use tubes with wire wheels will yield seeming diametrically opposed opinions which require some "reading between the lines".

Most vendors of radial tires, including Longstone which is a worldwide distributor of Michelins, say "yes" and give a number of sound reasons. OTOH the sellers of some "modern" wire wheels say generally but somewhat equivocally "no".

I am working on my third or fourth set of XAS's over the last 20 years and 75K miles and I have always used Michelin's tubes. Allen Hendrix has installed all of the sets save the last when he could not get them and I had to go elsewhere.

I think you should use appropriate tubes regardless of whatever tire you select and have them installed by someone who knows what they are doing. It's also a great time to have your wheels checked and trued if need be.
 
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