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Tires

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kennypinkerton

kennypinkerton

Yoda
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I went to get new tires for the B today (it's still up on jackstands), and found out that apparently 175/70-14 tires are pretty rare items. 2 OK tire stores - one didn't have them, the other was closing as I drove up. 1 Firestone store - had cars lined up all over the place, so on to the goodyear store. All they had in that size was $320 for 4 tires... They said I could get 185/65-14 for $250.

What the heck happened to $30 economy box tires?
 
Kenny, I haven't checked my self but check Tire Rack!!

You could also check Hendrix (read WAY closer than BWW /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif !!

Write me direct and I'll give you their site & email info. Alan & Jerry are GREAT to deal with!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/bow.gif

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
Ed
 
I just took mine to Costco & got some Michelens put on it.
But I planned on driving mine. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif
 
Kenny - lemme check when I get home...I may have 4 new or very good ones you can have.
 
Same story with 15" - except there are no 165, 175, 0r 185 70 series usable on MGs available.

At least you can still get (looking at Tire Rack) 14 different tires in the 175 x 70 - 14 size.
 
I went to Vredestein Quatrac2 165/70/R14s. That is what is on my "B" and they ride great, have a good all weather design and no speedometer differential. I love this tire, love how it rides and handles. Plus I get 30 MPG. ain't bad in my book. Personally, I don't understand why everyone wants to constantly put way oversize tires on this car? Mine rides and handles beautifully and it doesn't look like it riding on four balloons.

mgtire.jpg

You can go here to look at more

https://www.tirefactory.net/vredestein.htm
Vredestein Tires- Winter Tires, Summer Tires, and Van Tires from the Tire Factory

I guess everyone else likes the way the car looks also, as it wins either first or second place every show it's in.
P4280016em.jpg
 
Paul said:
I guess everyone else likes the way the car looks also, as it wins either first or second place every show it's in.
Click to expand...

That's a result of sweat equity not tire choice, Paul. Put anything round and black on that car and it'd STILL win.

But the Vreders ~are~ a good choice.
 
I didn't know 175/70 was way too big. that's what was on my car to begin with
 
175-width tires are fine and were standard equipment on some MGBs. Tire technology has changed tremendously and allowed wider tires to be used on older cars without negative effects. Just like we now use Radials instead of Bias Ply because they offer superior performance, we also tend to use wider, lower profile tires for the same reason. The result is typically better road grip and ride.

That said however, there is NOTHING wrong with 165 or 175 radial tires. I wouldn't run Bias Ply in any size, original or not. But a nice 165 radial will perform well on these cars. I have 165R15 on my MGA and they suit the car well. I do plan to install 175/70R15 next time but only because the car's handling and response will benefit from it.

I even see MGCs with 165 tires now and then. I think that's crazy considering the weight of the car and its intended use, but to each their own.
 
Steve_S said:
175-width tires are fine and were standard equipment on some MGBs.
Click to expand...

I didn't know that Steve. Learn something new every day. Thanks.
If I remember correctly, knowing the girl who bought my car new, it originally came with 155/14 bias ply tires. It still had the original spare in the trunk when I bought it from her 10 years later. It was as hard as a rock. I put 165s on it and drove it for 5 years before it went in the barn and reappeared 20 years later. The chickens, pigeons and mice had a field day.

Oh, yeah. This is partially what it looked like after 20 years in the barn. It was in the tractor shed here awaiting restoration. What a mess!

PC170007.jpg

PC170008.jpg
 
I should have thought before I posted but since I didn't I will clarify a bit...

MGB:
5.6-14 and 155-14 were standard on early MGB with 4" or 4.5" rims. Later this was increased to 165-14 on 4.5" or 5" rims. 185/70R14 were offered for 79-80 models with 5" rims.

MGB GT:
165-14 and 175-14 were standard on MGB GT, depending on the year model, using 4.5" and 5" rims.

MGB GT V8:
175-14 came standard on 5" rims.

MGC:
165-15 were standard on MGC with 5" rims.
 
Squishy sidewalls are why I hated my HTR200s. I had to run very high pressures (32-35) just to keep them from swaying in turns. They stick very nicely but the thin, soft sidewalls make response kind of sloppy unless you push the pressure pretty high, which ruins the ride.

See here for my impressions on various tires: https://www.mgnuts.com/tidbits/tires/
 
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