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Tires Choices for Big Healeys

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Age of the tires notwithstanding, what advantages do you anticipate after changing from the Nexen 165/80R15 tires to Michelin XAS 180HR15 tires?

I have Michelin XAS 180HR15 tires on one of my BN2 Healeys, but only because it has wide solid wheels (reproductions of the Dunlop steel wheels available in the 1950s) and needed the wider tires to fit those wheels. But I have Michelin X 155/15 tires on my other BN2, which has the original 15-inch, 48-spoke wire wheels. The skinny Michelin X radials look correct from every angle. At the speeds we drive these cars, there is no difference in handling.

Unless you're at least an FIA Bronze-level racing license holder who insists on flogging your Healey as though you're down five minutes at Le Mans, I submit that you're chasing only notional advantages.

That said, there's nothing wrong with getting newer tires if the existing ones are due for replacement, and there's certainly nothing wrong with canvassing forum members for their experiences and choices. But before you spend the money on new tires, I'd ask myself what advantages I anticipate from wider tires—and whether those advantages are worth sacrificing the original, correct, pleasing appearance and stance of the car.
 
The Nexen tires are 9 years old. I will replace them next year and am looking for the best solution, which will be on the car for the next ten years.

Joe
 
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" said the man as he kissed hisd cow, and I think the taller aspect of the 180 XAS graces the lines of a 100 in addition to better filling the wheel apertures and slightly increasing ground clearance.

Given that the contact patch of a Healey's tire is not much bigger than the size of a credit card anything that increases roadholding, esp in the wet, is of real benefit.
Editor_Reid said:
Age of the tires notwithstanding, what advantages do you anticipate after changing from the Nexen 165/80R15 tires to Michelin XAS 180HR15 tires?

I have Michelin XAS 180HR15 tires on one of my BN2 Healeys, but only because it has wide solid wheels (reproductions of the Dunlop steel wheels available in the 1950s) and needed the wider tires to fit those wheels. But I have Michelin X 155/15 tires on my other BN2, which has the original 15-inch, 48-spoke wire wheels. The skinny Michelin X radials look correct from every angle. At the speeds we drive these cars, there is no difference in handling.

Unless you're at least an FIA Bronze-level racing license holder who insists on flogging your Healey as though you're down five minutes at Le Mans, I submit that you're chasing only notional advantages.

That said, there's nothing wrong with getting newer tires if the existing ones are due for replacement, and there's certainly nothing wrong with canvassing forum members for their experiences and choices. But before you spend the money on new tires, I'd ask myself what advantages I anticipate from wider tires—and whether those advantages are worth sacrificing the original, correct, pleasing appearance and stance of the car.
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