Anyone use Khumo 758s on their 3000?

[Sprocket]

I have a BJ7 and it's time for new rubber. Currently it's running on Michelin 185r15s that my Dad put on in 1982.

While they have 90% tread the sidewalss are obviously done and one tire separated on me while doing some low speed driving last month...

I just saw a BJ7 (like mine) on e-bay with new Khumo 758s on it.
A quick search revealed 165s and 195s avail. and they are a third of the price of Cokers (only tire I can find in 185r15).

As I don't drive the car that much and don't test it's limits (weekend casual cruising is mostly what I'm doing, at least until I have the time to REALLY go through the car ) I don't want to drop 600+ into a new set of rubber that will rot like the Michelin's...

Wonderif anyone has an opinion or other options that aren't sooo pricey (lean budget these days).

Thanks and Cheers!

 

[glemon]

I ran the 758s on my 100/4, nice tires no problems, they are about the right size and compare pretty well to OEM size. Many people like to run a little wider tire on the 6 cylinder cars, but the narrow tires give a nice light, nimble feel to the cars in my opinion.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

I have them on my Gold BJ8 with the std 60 spoke wheels. I put 185/65 khumos on the white BJ8 with 5.5" wide chrome wires. They look to small for the wheel well. Run them on my TR3 and TR4 with std wheels. Can't beat them for the money. If I was driving everyday or on longs trips I might get something different.

Marv

 

[Sprocket]

I ran the 758s on my 100/4, nice tires no problems, they are about the right size and compare pretty well to OEM size. Many people like to run a little wider tire on the 6 cylinder cars, but the narrow tires give a nice light, nimble feel to the cars in my opinion.

I assume you are running the 165s then?

I have the stock 60 spokes on my car so I think the 185/65s may be a little too wide for that wheel?

I do like to get on the gas in the corners and the 185r15s seem to break away easy enough so I don't think I want to go too much skinnier, but don't want to lose anymore ride height.
Decisions decisions!

165/80r15 Overall Diameter: 25.39 in 644.90 mm

185/65/r15 Overall Diameter: 24.46 in 621.28 mm

Thanks for the quick replies!

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Vredestein makes 185/15s and 185/70-15s at about $100/per. Decent tire.

FWIW, had a girlfriend once that was really into 4-wheeling. She was adamant that taller, 'skinnier' tires actually put more rubber on the road than wider tires. May not apply as much to street tires, but I've always wondered--makes sense if you think about the increased diameter (probably a formula somewhere).

 

[Keoke]

Nope if yuo want to put more rubbr on the ground and improve the handling of the car at speed then a wider tire is what you need in a diameter close to the original size.--Keoke

 

[spartan0199]

I just got the 165 Kumho's on my 3000 this summer. Also replacing Michelin XZX installed by my dad in 1980. No problems so far. I also had Kumho's on my daily driver (KH18), no problem with those either.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

My presumption was that the taller tire had a larger diameter; e.g. a half-inch taller tire put more rubber on the road than a half-inch wider tire (from the same size 'standard' tire). Makes sense when you remember that diameter increases by the square of the radius--the contact patch would increase more than just adding a half-inch of width. Obviously, at the same diameter a wider tire will have a larger contact patch. Off-roaders also run very low tire pressure, in part to put more rubber on the 'road.'

I understand that on Healeys we don't have the option to use a tire with an inch or two greater diameter--it was just a general comment.

 

[tahoe healey]

The opposite is true for snow and ice. Narrow tires dig in deeper while wide ones hydroplane. My wife ended up on her roof with wide "aggressive" tires on he 4 wheel drive 4-Runner a few years ago.
I'm still using Michilen XZX and love them but they are getting on in years. Probably trade them next spring for Khumos as I have heard nothing but good about them.

 

[Sprocket]

All things considered I'm going to have to go with the 165s. Local tire guy will get a call in the AM, then just need to clean the wheels and spray 'em silver before I get the new shoes mounted.

thanks for the discussion on 'em.
My friend has a MGC and just got 5.5 wide wires and put 195s on his and I was liking the tire but no $$ to upgrades my rims at this time....Gonna stick with the 60 spoke stockers as I really wan tthe car to stay all original.

 

[Johnny]

I ran the 758s on my 100/4, nice tires no problems, they are about the right size and compare pretty well to OEM size. Many people like to run a little wider tire on the 6 cylinder cars, but the narrow tires give a nice light, nimble feel to the cars in my opinion.

After I installed the 165 Khumo 758 tires on my BN7 I noticed the ride height increased by 3/8". I'll take the 3/8" as a plus. So for the tires seem fine. Haven't heard anyone complain about longevity or blow outs.

 

[wheelwright]

The Kumho is a good tire,we have installed many of them on Healeys.They are quiet,track and stop well,and give good mileage.I personally like the Vredestein tire,they are very sticky and are a very solid and well made tire.The sidewalls are solid and the tread is deeper than most tires,they have a wide foot print.The compound is slightly softer than the Kumho or the Federal,so this is a great tire for autocross or spirited driving.The only down side is availability,they aren't sent here from Holland but a coupls times a year.

 

[bighealeysource]

Hey all,
Just installed a set of the Kumho 165/80's on my BN6 and they look great.
Tire Rack has them for $43 each + shipping so can't beat the price. I
don't drive it hard so should be good for my leisurely driving.
Regards,
Mike