TR2/3/3A Latest Tires

[CJD]

Chassis time is finally here, so I need a set of tires. Number one priority is that I would like the tire to fit the TR2 spare well without too much trouble (48 spoke wire wheels). Performance is not a concern, although quality is. Tires I am looking at currently are:

Michelin XZX, which is a 165 wide tire, and appears to be the only one they make for us.

Pirelli 155HR15 Cinturato CA67, which is a bit narrower tire.

I just wondered if anyone has experience with these...or if there are other recommendations for a tire that will fit the well?

 

[BlueMax]

https://www.cokertire.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=xzx

 

[Geo Hahn]

I have always had to deflate my 165s to get them into the spare well on my pre-60000 TR3A. That's with a steel rim and all brands I have used through the years (Michelin, Nexen, Cooper, Kuhmo & Vreds).

Not that big a deal if you also carry a compressor or (better yet) never have a flat.

In any case, not all spare compartments are the same after all these years and replacement of panels just adds to that so it may be difficult to take someone else's experience 'to the bank'.

 

[TomMull]

I bought a set of Michelin X tires quite a few years ago simply because they had the same tread pattern that was on the car when I bought it in 1964. I don't think those are available in 155 or 165 15 any more. I guess the xzx would be a good substitute (I have them on the Herald with no issues.) as would the Pirellis. I have no experience with others.
My post 60k TR3 accepts the steel wheeled spare in the tire cubby, fully inflated. My earlier car has a spare in it but I don't think I've ever checked the size, nor the pressure for that matter. On my to do list now.
Tom

 

[sp53]

Just a rumor, but I heard that all the tires that fit these cars are made at the same place. The story goes they bought all the molds. If true and for my way of thinking, I would expect all the tires to cost about the same.

 

[PatGalvin]

Hi John
I went into Discount Tire and they calc'd the diameter of my four main tires and then identified a thinner spare with the same diameter but flatter profile so it slips right in, fully inflated, into the spare well (with steel wheel). I can check all the numbers tonight and let you know what I've got, in case it's important. If you want five tires that are all identical, then my info won't be much help.

pat

 

[trglory]

I seem to remember someone using a compact spare from a mid 90s Japanese car. They claimed that it had the right bolt pattern and rolling radius and it fit in the tire compartment with plenty of room to spare. The advantage here would be that if you had this as a spare you could use whatever sized tire on the car that you preferred. Obviously, if you had the spare mounted on the car you would need to temporarily carry the oversized flat tire behind the seats. Does anyone have a better memory than me to recall the specifics?

 

[mgedit]

Here is the combo I used ... stock steel rim with narrower tire for spare. Kumhos mounted on alloy rims. Cheers, Mike

 

[CJD]

Thanks for the responses! I have to be honest, I hadn't even thought about having a narrow tire for the spare...Duh! It sounds like that is the way to go. Having the spare in the tire rotation only complicates rotation anyway. From the ideas above, I also found the Kumho's are very reasonably priced. I'm pretty sure those are what were on my TR3 when I got it. I also see Discount sells a "Classic" brand tire for about $60.

Thanks again for all the input to help me make a choice!

 

[CJD]

Update: Started calling around. The Kumho's are out of stock everywhere I found. The Michelins at Coker are $126 ea for the tires, but when I filled out the address, they run another $105 ea for shipping. Gulp! I refuse to pay as much for shipping as the tire costs.

Moving on...

 

[sp53]

Coker makes the Michelin

 

[CJD]

That's what I am seeing. I initially thought it WAS a Michelin, but I now realize they simply bought the old Michelin mold and reproduce the tire.

Oh...the shipping must have had a glitch...after telling me it would be over $400 to ship a set, the browser popped back to $105 to ship all 5. Much more reasonable!?!

 

[mallard]

If Coker sells them try Jegs or Speedway. They will ship them for free after $250.00 total That's how I got my Vredestein's. Which buy the way fit in with ease into the spare tire slot.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Summit sells the Vredesteins 165/15 (also by Coker) for $119 and free shipping. Pretty good tire, I think.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cok-579821

 

[Lou Metelko]

Hi John:
All five tires on my TR2 (TS981L) are Vredesteins and the 4" steel wheel spare just does barely fit with the 155R15. Don't know if your 48 spoke wires would be different but in my case it is a tight fit! Bought from Coker (good service, reliable products and decent price).

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana

 

[2long]

I am running Firestone F560, in the original width of 155 for my TR2 with 48 spoke wires. I like something closer to the original grip and release point. It fits in my spare compartment.

Dan

 

[CJD]

Boy I hate picking tires...I do really appreciate the comments and tips. I have spent the last several hours researching all of your choices and tips above.

The cheapest tire we currently have available for our TR2/3's is by Nankang. About $57 and free shipping from Amazon. I could not bring myself to buy a Chinese tire. Just me...as the reviews were actually good for it.

I then checked out the Kumhos, but they all seem to be out of stock. They may have abandoned us!?!

I like the Vredestiens, but their price was approaching that of the vintage reproduction tires.

I almost popped on the Firestones, as they are the least expensive of the vintage, at about $80 each. The most expensive tires are the Pirelli's, at over $200 ea. I couldn't justify that price.

I finally went for the Michelins. The write up made it sound like they are reproductions of the original 1940's/50's tire, that could have actually been installed on the TR2 "back in the day". I checked out Jeg's and Speedway...free shipping, but they upped the price a bit. The interesting thing is that the more I clicked around on the Coker website, the cheaper the shipping got!?! It wound up bottoming at $35 for 5 tires and tubes. In the end the cheapest price delivered to my door was from the Coker direct...assuming they don't call tomorrow and say the shipping was a mistake.

Again, thanks to each and every one of you who responded. Even if I didn't go with your recommendation, I used it to arrive at my final choice!


Edit: Oh, I went with the 165/80r15's all around, and the 145/80r15 for the spare. I'll report back later with the spare compartment fit...

 

[mrv8q]

So how do you guys get your shipped-to-you tires mounted on your wheels? I can't imagine any tire store around me mounting tires they didn't sell me without greatly overcharging.

Thinking further, how does Tire Rack do it? Is rhere a network of independent tire stores around? I guess I'm surrounded by chains and franchises, not that I've investigated too much...

 

[Alfred E. Neuman]

So how do you guys get your shipped-to-you tires mounted on your wheels? I can't imagine any tire store around me mounting tires they didn't sell me without greatly overcharging.

Thinking further, how does Tire Rack do it? Is rhere a network of independent tire stores around? I guess I'm surrounded by chains and franchises, not that I've investigated too much...

Lots of good independent auto repair shops have tire machines and some even have alignment racks (we have both). It's worth calling a couple and see if they'll cut you a deal on simple mount and balance.

 

[Gliderman8]

I seem to remember someone using a compact spare from a mid 90s Japanese car. They claimed that it had the right bolt pattern and rolling radius and it fit in the tire compartment with plenty of room to spare. The advantage here would be that if you had this as a spare you could use whatever sized tire on the car that you preferred. Obviously, if you had the spare mounted on the car you would need to temporarily carry the oversized flat tire behind the seats. Does anyone have a better memory than me to recall the specifics?

I am using a spacesaver spare from an Accura. Hole pattern is identical to my TR6. Now there is lots of room in the spare tire well and it saves the weight of a full size tire.