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BJ8 Tires

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C

canuck

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I have done a search and read many of the threads on tires, but now that I have to replace mine, I find I still need guidance.

The Michelin ZX 175/15 doesn't seem to be available anywhere. I have had 185s on the car up to now, and experienced occasional rubbing. So I guess I have to go to a 165.
I agree with the general sentiment that a sports car should have sports car tires, but seem to be able only to find all seasons at a reasonable price: no Vredesteins apparently available in Canada and everything else $200 Canadian ($150 per tire...). If everyone is dealing with unavailability of 175, what is the current wisdom on best choice?

Thanks,
Chris
 
Well Canuk, I think that the 185X70X15 tyre is just about right, they can be obtained from British Wire Wheel on the west coast here in the US. On the east coast Hendrix Wire Wheel is recomended.-FWIW---Keoke
 
Cooker tire occasionally has the Michlins. I got some a few months back. The problem with them was they were DOT marked as being already two years old. Ask questions before you purchase ANY tires. Our tires have low demand so they sit someplace. I'm happy with them. Everyone with Vredsteins love them as well.
 
HI Tahoe HLY, The date code is ok as long as the tires were stored in a cool place out of direct sun light.You might check in the tire grooves to be sure there is no cracking of the rubber.-FWIW---Keoke
 
Six months or so ago we had a major discussion regarding the life of tires. About eight to ten years depending on the temp, et al. The problem is normal deterioration of the rubber. We don't get to put on as many miles on these cars so thus the waste. They will deteriorate (dry and harden) before the miles are put on.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The date code is ok as long as the tires were stored in a cool place out of direct sun light.-Keoke

[/ QUOTE ]
As you know, tires continue the curing process after they are built, & as you also know, heat greatly accelerates the curing/aging process. The problem is that we don't know what conditions the tires were stored under for the last two or more "shelf" years. Maybe hot, maybe cool. They can get pretty hard before they show cracking.

In my experience, a new Michelin ZX & others built not for high milage but for good grip, should have a durometer reading of no more than 65 on the Shore A scale at 70 degrees F. They will harden to 70 or more pretty quickly if driven hard. (hot)
D
 
Thanks to all of you. I was unable to obtain the 175 Michelins, and Vredesteins are not available in Canada, so I have landed on Dayton 165SR15s, which I can get easily and economically. Anyone have any reason why I should not give these a try? If no one has any experience, I will go ahead, and let you know what I think. Given the importance of tires to handling and ride, I would be prepared to go to the extra expense and wait for Michelin 165s, but the tire dealer assures me the Daytons will work well with the car, and my regular service garage, which does exotics (Ferrari, Lamborghini and so on) agrees, so I think it's worth a try.

Again, thanks to all those who offered input.

Chris
 
Got the Dayton 165R15s installed. No shake, no vibration, no rubbing on the wheel well.
An additional benefit over the 185s no one mentioned: much easier slow speed steering.
Oh. Maybe not a benefit. My wife finds it much easier to drive, now I have to fight to get it off her.
C. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/canpatriot.GIF
 
Got the Dayton 165R15s installed. No shake, no vibration, no rubbing on the wheel well.
An additional benefit over the 185s no one mentioned: much easier slow speed steering.
Oh. Maybe not a benefit. My wife finds it much easier to drive, now I have to fight to get it off her.
C. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/canpatriot.GIF
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gifCanuke! put the 185's back on immediately!- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif---Keoke
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif Quick trip to the tire dealer reveals they have discarded them. I had even cooked up a story about ground clearance to explain their return...ah well. When "she who must be obeyed" is happy, everyone is happy: first rule of life.
C.
 
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