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Looking for new tires

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prmac

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I had the misfortune of having a two tire blowout day- one of which the sidewalls were clomletely separated.
They were 2002 Perelli P400s. I have always had Perellis on this vehickle but I hear the Michelins are better. So far I have only priced the Firestones/Bridgestones which are the most available in my rural town.
I have spoked wheels on my 76 MGB. I had 165 70R14 until the last set which are 175 70R14.
Does anyone have any recommendations or avoidances of tire brands and series.
P.S I'm in an area where dirt and gravel roads are not the rarity.
Paul.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/canpatriot.GIF
 
I bought a set of 185/70-14 Dunlop SP-20's from The Tire Rack (www.tirerack.com) last Spring. I don't push my car hard but I am very happy with them so far. And they were pretty cheap, especially with a $50 rebate on a set of four.
 
I too have the SP 20's and am pleased so far. I push my car a bit and it handles quite well for an old girl.
 
Do you guys mean the Dunlop SP-40's? I cannot find an SP-20 on the tirerack website.

Couple of the reviews on the site are pretty harsh, particular as to 'premature' wear on the outside edge of the tires affecting cornering ability and resulting in mild tram lining. Always hard to judge with these things, since the comments originate from owners of different vehicles.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=SP+40+A%2FS

I am in the market for tires as well so I am trying to research all the options out there.
 
Just put some 195/60/14s Falcon Ziex $160 installed with lifetime balance.

Not a bad tire.
 
For spoked wheels you might want to check out a place in Port Dover...Thats where I got the wide white for my MGA, they specialise in classics and wire wheel jobs. They are a Firestone shop and probably the only tire shop in town, shouldn't be hard to find. Port dover is also a very nice drive and a great little town to spend the day.
 
Dimitri, it's about time you replaced those old things!

For general interest, here is a list of available tires in 185/70R14 with speed ratings, current as of about a month ago. They will fit on stock wire wheels but are as wide as I would go. Sorry, I don't have a list for 175 width.

Michelin Symetry (S)
Michelin Harmony (S)
Michelin X Radial DT (S)
Michelin Agility (S)
Michelin Destiny (S)
Michelin HydroEdge (T)
Toyo Spectrum (S)
Sumitomo HTR200 (H)
Yokohama Avid T4 (T)
BF Goodrich Traction T/A (T)
Dunlop D65 Touring (T)
Firestone Affinity Touring (S)
Firestone Affinity LH30 (S)
Firestone FR690 (S)
Goodyear Assurance ComforTred (T)
Goodyear Assurance TripleTred (T)
Goodyear Integrity (S)
Goodyear Regatta 2 (T)
Hankook Mileage Plus GT H707 (T)
Kumho Power Star 758 (T)
Kumho Touring A/S 795 (S)
Pirelli P400 Touring (T)
Vredestein Quatrak (T)
Yokohama Avid Touring (S)
Bridgestone B381 (S)
Dunlop SP 40 A/S (S)
Dunlop SP 60 (S)
Dunlop SP20 FE (S)
Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP (S)
Yokohama Aegis LS4 (S)
 
What no Z-rated 14 inchers? Man, I really wanted to go 150+ in my nearly 30 year old car.

Just kidding /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Excellent list. I think everone is now making serious copies of it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Well since you enjoyed that, here is my list of 195/65R14 tires as well. There may be a few missing from these lists but they were collected by hand from every tire retailler and manufacturer I could find online.

195/65R14 Tires

BF Goodrich Traction T/A H (H)
Bridgestone Turanza LS-H (H)
Bridgestone Turanza LS-T (T)
Dunlop SP 40 A/S (S)
Dunlop SP 60 (S)
Dunlop SP Sport A2 Plus (H)
General Ameri-G4S (S)
Goodyear Regatta 2 (T)
Kuhmo Touring Plus 732 (T)
Michelin Harmony (S)
Michelin Destiny (S)
Michelin Agility Touring (S)
Pirelli P400 Touring (T)
Sumitomo HTR H4 (H)
Toyo Spectrum (T)
Yokohama Avid H4S (H)
Yokohama Avid T4 (T)
 
What, you gotta go to 15 inch before your z-rated or what? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif just kidding again.
 
hehehhehehehehehehehee /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I went with Firestone Firehawk Indy-500's, but they were 15" size. I was almost sure they are availbale for 14" wheels, though. Pretty good tire for all around use, including loose surfaces and wet conditions. I really like them, they're sort of middle of the road priced, not a steal but OK at about $50 a piece IIRC. The Sumitomo Summer tires are really good, but the Stones are good all seasoners.
 
Vredestein tires, made in Holland, you can't beat em! They look great, they ride like a dream and they really grip the road. And, you can get them in 165/14. They have an unusual but nice looking side wall pattern. Thier about $75.00 each. I put them on the 72 and I love them! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gifPJ
 
I've considered Vredsteins many times and have heard nothing but good about them. But they didn't have a 165R15 available last time I was buying and that's the size I needed (MGA).
 
Steve, Universal Tire in Hershey Pa. has Vredestein 165/15s. They handle just about any tire that's made. They specialize in tires for antique and classic cars. If they have them, I'm sure that they are available in the LA area. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif PJ

www.universaltire.com
 
Hi,
Thanks for all the input. I'm sorry I didn't get back sooner but my computer was acting up and wouldn't let me onto the site. Steve S; on your list are letters in brackets ??? Has anyone had 185 width tires on their MGBs? I've had the car 15 years (as of monday) and no tire shop including the British shops have ever said I can put on this wide a tire. I did really notice the difference going from 165 to 175. Also, being in the north I am blessed with many winding dirt roads to slip and slide on. I even, being a city boy from Brantford/Toronto, found this nice road that kept getting narrower and narrower which had these funny miniature stop signs. I was quite the entertainment of the party when I was told they were snowmobile trails!!!!!
Up here the main brands are Firestone/Bridgstone, Michelins, Toyo and Perellis. I checked for Vredesteins but can't find anyone who carries them.
I am looking for the best in dirt and rain in the above brands.
Paul
 
I am running 185/70-14s on 6 inch Minator (Minilite Replica) wheels with no rubbing or fitment problems at all.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I even, being a city boy from Brantford/Toronto, found this nice road that kept getting narrower and narrower which had these funny miniature stop signs. I was quite the entertainment of the party when I was told they were snowmobile trails!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

That's awesome! LOL!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

The letters in brackets are speed ratings.

I run 185/70R14 tires on my '67 MGB GT, and 195/60R15 on my '65 MGB. Both have no rubbing issues. 175 and 185 is well suited to an MGB for daily driving.
 
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