monty Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 I am about to change rear tyres on the 4A but unsure whether to mix the brands. I have had Firestone 195/65 R15 on the car & they have been very good, lasting well with good grip. Vredestein have been mentioned a lot lately so should I replace with Firestones to match the make with the fronts or change the rears to Vredestein? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 I am one of the converted for Vredestein. Grippy enough for me and lasting well That is using the standard size and profile 165/80/15 on TR6 5.5J steel rims The 195/65/15 seem a good price https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&sowigan=&one_size=195|65||15&Speed=&Marke=Vredestein&ranzahl=4&search_tool=standard&rsmFahrzeugart=&suchen=Search+for+tyres Cheers Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 Hi Monty, The vredstein T-trac2 looks grim but works well at apprx £40 The vredstein Sprint Classic looks very good, works very very well but is apprx £112 per corner. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monty Posted May 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 What's grim about it & is it safe & sensible to still have another make (Firestones with similar tread pattern) on the front? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 2 hours ago, monty said: What's grim about it & is it safe & sensible to still have another make (Firestones with similar tread pattern) on the front? Yes I would have thought so as long as you do not mix types or sizes on the same axle. I would probably ask the tyre supplier/fitter. Cheers Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 Love the sprint classic versions on my 3a Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 The T-Trac 2 look fine from the driver's seat. They also work well. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 3 hours ago, monty said: What's grim about it & is it safe & sensible to still have another make (Firestones with similar tread pattern) on the front? Yes ok Monty, just remember if only 2 tyres are being fitted, to fit to the rear so you may have to swap around. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monty Posted May 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 I think as long as the Ttrac works well it seems pointless to spend a lot more when with the low mileage I drive, my tyres get old before they wear out! Anybody got a photo of this grim sidewall? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 40 minutes ago, monty said: I think as long as the Ttrac works well it seems pointless to spend a lot more when with the low mileage I drive, my tyres get old before they wear out! Anybody got a photo of this grim sidewall? I posted a link above that has a sort of sidewall view. https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&sowigan=&one_size=195|65||15&Speed=&Marke=Vredestein&ranzahl=4&search_tool=standard&rsmFahrzeugart=&suchen=Search+for+tyres Which 195/65/15 tyre are you thinking of? T Trac, Quatrac or Sportrac - looks like they all have the same modern sidewall design. Cheers Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monty Posted May 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 4 hours ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: I posted a link above that has a sort of sidewall view. https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&sowigan=&one_size=195|65||15&Speed=&Marke=Vredestein&ranzahl=4&search_tool=standard&rsmFahrzeugart=&suchen=Search+for+tyres Which 195/65/15 tyre are you thinking of? T Trac, Quatrac or Sportrac - looks like they all have the same modern sidewall design. Cheers Peter W People seem to be mentioning the T Trac as a general useable acceptable tyre except for this sidewall issue which I still do not see or understand. Covering 2000 miles or less a year my tyres get old rather than worn so cannot see the sense of spending a lot as long as the tyre type is good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 In the 60s and 70s a question like this had a meaning. But now its likely that whatever type you chose, they would come from the same factory in China. If not then maybe from India. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 1 hour ago, monty said: People seem to be mentioning the T Trac as a general useable acceptable tyre except for this sidewall issue which I still do not see or understand. Covering 2000 miles or less a year my tyres get old rather than worn so cannot see the sense of spending a lot as long as the tyre type is good. I think people talk about T Trac as the usable acceptable tyre as it comes in 165/80/15 size at a sensible price. Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drewmotty Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 When I polished the TTrac2 sidewalls for the IWE the accentuated pattern appeared as dark and light patches in the sunlight. To be fair its a lot less of an eyesore when left unpolished. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 2 hours ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: I think people talk about T Trac as the usable acceptable tyre as it comes in 165/80/15 size at a sensible price. Peter W Also because it has good grip in the wet, and good economy. Andrew, try to think of the sidewall pattern as a feature, not an eyesore! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Just bought 4 x T Trac2 for £172 from Demon Tweekes. Delivery included. What is not to like? Made in the Netherlands ....so it says on the sidewall. Last set of T Tracs just time expired. Great tyres, great wet and dry grip and great value. Iain. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndyR100 Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Drewmotty said: To be fair its a lot less of an eyesore when left unpolished. spot on.... i found that out with mine, the dull/matt look is definitely the best bet. ..... Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 Seriously, within reason, does it matter what they look like as long as they work? To me it was a no brainer, £40 a corner vs somewhere north of £100. Like Monty said, my tyres get old before they get worn out. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monty Posted May 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 Thanks to all for the comments & advice. Have just ordered 2 TTrac's from Camskill @ just under £77 including delivery. £30 to fit & properly balance (centre lock wheels) @ Blockley tyres later. At my rate of use should last years! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 8 hours ago, Ian Vincent said: Seriously, within reason, does it matter what they look like as long as they work? To me it was a no brainer, £40 a corner vs somewhere north of £100. Like Monty said, my tyres get old before they get worn out. Rgds Ian Hi Ian, quite so. I had the T-TRacs and they worked well and lasted reasonably well - perhaps a slightly harder compound compared to the sprint classic. I had to buy the Sprint Classics last October because there were no T-TRacs in the country with no due date. I feel (my opinion) that the Sprint Classic is a far better tyre. Excellent grip both in dry and wet. I know it doesn't really matter but they do look good. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted May 16, 2019 Report Share Posted May 16, 2019 If you don’t like your sidewall pattern, just attack it with an angle grinder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnwevOfIUqA Or turn them into Goodyears: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/lovebugfans/got-goodyear-no-then-make-some-t9360.html Do people REALLY do this? Charlie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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