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Time for New Tires

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Bob_Muzio

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On my '64 TR4 I have Dayton 72 spoke chrome wire wheels (I believe they are 5" width) and 165x15 Dunlop SP20 tires. The DOT code indicates the tires are going on 8 years old, I've had them on there for 7 and based on age it's time they go away. I liked them butI don't see them offered for sale. I looked at what British Wire Wheel, Coker and Tire Rack had to offer. I like the size and look of the 165s and want to stay close to that. Coker has Michelin XASs at $182 each plus shipping. Both BWW and Coker offer a Vredestein at $80/$85 each plus shipping. Tire Rack has a 165/80x15 Kumho Power Star 758 at, get this, $30ea. plus shipping. Inasmuch as our tires "time out" before they wear out the Kumhos seem hard to resist. The size difference is miniscule as the width is the same and the diameter is only 1/4 of an inch smaller.
Anyone out there have experience with that brand or have other options in mind?
Thank you,
Bob
 
In 2001 I think I bought the last set of 165/15 Michelins XZX in Tucson... then a few years later the last set of Dunlop SP20s. Now I'm taking my jinx to Cooper. I have a set of their Sportmaster GLT 165R15 'metric'. Seem like a fine tire for my driving and perhaps still available.

Others have reported satisfaction with Kumhos but I have no experience with them.
 
Geo, I ran Michelin XZXs (155-SR13s, I believe) on my '77 and '78 Spitfires in the early '80s, and I have never been able to find tires as good as those again. They were just great in dry, rain or snow, and never seemed to wear out. Of course, since the Spit weighed almost less than I did, I suppose they shouldn't wear out. It was a sad day when I learned that the XZXs were discontinued.
 
Hello, Bob, Pep Boys carries Kumhos, FYI. I've heard they are good tires. I went to Pep Boys last summer to get those Kumhos, but they were on back order. I wound up getting American-made LeMans tires, 165.15 size, next door at a Firestone dealer... he had four in stock, date stamped made in 2005. (like you, I checked). The Le Mans were $200, out the door. I missed those Kumhos, though!

Best, Kevin Browne
'59 TR3A #58370
 
I am currently running Kumhos on my TR6. They are different from what you are looking at, but are the best tire I have ever run on a Triumph. Tire Rack ratings are generally very good on Kumho. I would not hesitate trying them. Even bought them for my daily driver.
 
Bob I have a set of the SP20s, and found them ok in dry weather but pretty much lethal in rain.
Fortunately I have 2 sets of wire wheels so I only use the SP20s for shows where its nice to have the correct size, and on nice days.
I have used bith Kumho and Cooper on modern cars and both were good, but if its your only set, check with a dealer who sells both brands how well they grip in rain.
Simon.
 
The 165/15 Kumho are either S or T speed rated (Can't remember which) and a number of people said they were excellent tires for the money but they did not consider them performance tires. After looking at the alternatives available, including different sizes, I recently purchased a set of 165 HR 15 Vredesteins -- haven't put them on the TR3 yet. A number of guys on the Healey forum liked them.
 
I put the Vredesteins on the TR3 when I restored it - nice tires. They gave a decent ride, and were plenty responsive for my driving. I think you'll like them.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif Mickey
 
I used to run Vreds. on a Datsun 510
Yah, Yah, Yah, "How long ago was that Tomster?"
They were very sticky without being soft (subject to excessive wear) The only thing that I noticed was a fair amount of air and road noise due to a fairly aggressive tread pattern and depth. I'd love to find a set up here that I could get my hands on for my 4A
 
I had the same scenario on my recently purchased TR3A. The Michelins on it had been there at least ten years with less than 100 miles over the last eight; serious dry rot. I checked locally and three of the four tire places I checked pointed me to Coker. Chris at Coker was very helpful; he recommended the Vredesteins, not the most expensive option they listed. I also got the heavy duty tubes from Coker, they're expensive but from what I understand necessary on wires and the extra thickness needed due to the heat from radials. Coker did not have 15 inch rim bands (aka liners) so those came from Moss. I've had them mounted and out for a quick spin Saturday. I like the looks of the tall blackwalls and they have a good tread pattern. So far so good.

Ray
 
Michelin went back to producing their various tyres models some time ago. Go to www.michelin-passion.com Go to the classic tyres section and scroll down to find out if they make the tyre that you are looking for.

I think you can print out the wholeclassic cat tyre catalog out from a PDF file.

The tread patterns are still the same, but the tyres are made using modern technology.

Hope this might help someone.

Steven
 
This past summer, I bought 9 tires from Pep Boys for my TR3 and TR4. They were the correct size for both cars. The only problem was I had to go to 3 different Pep Boys to get them. It seems they are no longer going to carry them, so they are left-overs. I paid $25.00 each for them. Try your local Pep Boys and see if they have any in stock, cause they won't when those are sold.
 
I have to say I am amazed that this size tire has become so hard to find or so limited in choices. Not that there are all that many TR3s & 4s in the world... but because I think this is the size used on VW Bugs which are indeed ubiquitous.
 
Geo, I agree with you. Every time I asked for that size tire at Pep Boys, they would ask if it was for an older VW. I was very surprise to find that they really don't carry that size anymore, except whats left in inventory from several years ago.
 
Big O had some choices in stock about 6 mos ago- same story about VW.
 
Wow-- I just checked with NTB and another giant local supplier and they had nothing! I've got to replace tires on both my ol'bug and triumph soon!
 
I wonder if I can get these in Mexico? I think they just stopped making VW bugs down there a year ago.

Quatro neumáticos por favor.
 
Check with Coker Tires in TN. He has a license from Michelin, Goodyear, and Firestone etc and makes many tires that are "out of production".
 
I was able to get a set of Kelly (or is it Kelley) 165 15 locally here in Canada last summer. I imagine they were made in North America some place.
 
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