Ernest Posted August 15, 2020 Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 Hi all Stimulated by recent exchange re . tyres I checked those on my 6 today and see some slight cracks in the fronts. I currently have Corsa 65 195/65s on rear and BF Goodrich 195/65s on front. The garage I use for tyres on my other cars seem to have problems obtaining some makes so - although I have seen the recommendations for Pirelli and other tyres on recent e,mails, I want to go to the garage with a range of best possible ones. So, are there any other tyres that member would recommend - I have the standard steel wheels. Best Wishes Ernest I am Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blakey Posted August 15, 2020 Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 Hi Ernest, I'm using Hankook Optimo K715. They are 165/80 and feel nice, I don't take it out in the wet, but the reviews are good. They are available in Australia anyway. Regards, Paul. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Yarm 783 Posted August 15, 2020 Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 Ernest, As I said, I have 165 x 15 Pirelli Cinturato CA67’s. They are brand new, but designed to look period, but with modern grip level, I love them. You can also get Michelin XAS. Both of these choices are period. After that, it’s a more modern tread pattern. Have a chat with the team at Longstone Tyres. Good luck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted August 15, 2020 Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 I've got the standard steel wheels fitted with 195/R15 P6 Pirelli's, they give me very good handling and are readily available in Australia. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Yarm 783 Posted August 15, 2020 Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 Mike, I had 195’s on prior. I had more grip, of course, but much less progressive. The car would hang on and then let go very suddenly and you had to be quick to get it back again. Whilst outright grip is less, I prefer the current setup more and the much lighter steering across the speed range is a bonus. It depends what you are looking for I guess. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted August 15, 2020 Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 2 hours ago, Mike C said: I've got the standard steel wheels fitted with 195/R15 P6 Pirelli's, they give me very good handling and are readily available in Australia. Mike, The 195s gave you very good GRIP, the 165s give you handling as Yarm 783 points out. I raced for 3 years on 195s and the grip increase was noticeable but not anywhere as nice a car to drive as on 165s. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRD Posted August 15, 2020 Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 2 hours ago, Yarm 783 said: Ernest, As I said, I have 165 x 15 Pirelli Cinturato CA67’s. They are brand new, but designed to look period, but with modern grip level, I love them. You can also get Michelin XAS. Both of these choices are period. After that, it’s a more modern tread pattern. Have a chat with the team at Longstone Tyres. Good luck. You need a small mortgage to buy a set of those! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ernest Posted August 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 Thanks all for the very helpful feedback - shame we can't 'try before we buy'! But on the other hand it looks like there are a range of tyres that will improve on what I currently have on the car. Ernest Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted August 15, 2020 Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 185/70 Michelin XWX share the same diameter as the 165-15 XAS; similar cost. I think the XAS will do 40K+ miles where the XWX will be lucky to do 30K. This of course is moot unless you're doing 5K miles per year as the tyres will time out before the tread is gone with less use. Phenomenal either way, the XAS is skinnier ( if looks matter ) but won't pick up rocks like the XWX and others will, to the detriment of paintwork in harm's way. The period look is seductive for me as well, and though IMO the performance is no match for these Michelins the Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet vintage tyre has quite the vintage look too, and won't pick up rocks either. I am dismayed by the common choice now of the Vredestein summer-use-only tyres, even on very valuable cars. No attributes I can see other than low price. Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ernest Posted August 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 Thanks Tom for putting the Michelins in the mix. I am leaning towards 165s - currently on 195s. Best Wishes Ernest Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) These are good and look the part as well as performance, https://tyres.buycarparts.co.uk/retro-4717622045123-j7711 And in 165 https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/retro/rc-001/165-80-r15-86h-822035 Stuart. Edited August 18, 2020 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRD Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 18 minutes ago, stuart said: These are good and look the part as well as performance, https://tyres.buycarparts.co.uk/retro-4717622045123-j7711 And in 165 https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/retro/rc-001/165-80-r15-86h-822035 Stuart. I've got these, they seem fine and are a sensible price. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 I went for Nankang last time I replaced mine. They've done the RBRR and plenty since without and issue and have plenty of grip. Made in Taiwan. https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/nankang/econex-na-1/165/80/R15/T/87/m?tyre=36690124&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuLr_3Mek6wIVxevtCh1okwInEAQYASABEgIs2fD_BwE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ernest Posted August 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 Thanks Stuart For these links and the recommendation - just hope that my local tyre fitters can obtain them. They could not get the wet-weather tyres I want to replace on my VW Campervan. Best Wishes Ernest Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Ernest said: Thanks Stuart For these links and the recommendation - just hope that my local tyre fitters can obtain them. They could not get the wet-weather tyres I want to replace on my VW Campervan. Best Wishes Ernest Hi Ernest This is a review by WhatTyre and the Retro Classic doesn't stack up too well. Don't want to put you off, but they seem quite pricey for what they are.... " NOT RECOMMENDED: RETRO & ??? Both the seventh-placed Retro RC 001 and the nameless wooden spoon recipient were ‘not recommended’, primarily due to their performances in the wet. The verdict on the RC 001 was that it offered “harmonious driving behaviour and good driving and ride comfort on dry roads.” So far, so good, but the Retro was slammed for its “deficient lateral guidance, unbalanced driving behaviour with strong oversteer on wet surfaces, much too long braking distances and low aquaplaning reserves.” The tyre bought online displayed good safety reserves in the aquaplaning test. But its braking distances were “much too long” in the wet and its braking in the dry was unimpressive. Further issues included “unbalanced driving characteristics with little lateral guidance and spongy steering on wet and dry roads.” https://whattyre.com/news/classic-look-new-technology-auto-bild-tests-tyres-for-yesterdays-heroes/ Kevin Quote Edited August 18, 2020 by boxofbits Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRD Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) I always take these tyre reviews with a pinch of salt. Highly dependent on the specifics of the test. Total different viewpoint here! https://citroenclassics.wordpress.com/2014/06/25/new-budget-tyre-for-d-models/ Edited August 18, 2020 by DRD Update Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) You heard it here first both from Tom in his TR250 On 185s and myself in numerous other posts. “Both tanked in the high-speed test when performed according to Auto Bild’s stricter requirements (with two degrees camber), but passed the standard test performed according to UNECE requirements.“ Too much camber, or another one of my favourites a front anti roll bar which prevents roll, just means you have maybe 15-20% of the tyre NOT even touching the road surface. 2 degree camber in the dry ok but it compromises wet handling and grip. Mick Richards Edited August 18, 2020 by Motorsport Mickey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 3 minutes ago, DRD said: I always take these tyre reviews with a pinch of salt. Highly dependent on the specifics of the test. It depends. I'd suggest that the journal has conducted a fair test across all 8 tyres, used the same car, the Healey 3000 to evaluate each tyre, and presumably under the same environmental and road surface conditions. I would therefore conclude that the specifics, circumstances, or criteria of the test, whatever you want to call it, are identical. What other information would you go by, and would you, after reading the report go out and spend nearly £80 each on the Retro ? I wouldn't. Despite buying Nankang myself, I think some of the traditional brands like Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli take some beating. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 15 minutes ago, DRD said: I always take these tyre reviews with a pinch of salt. Highly dependent on the specifics of the test. Total different viewpoint here! https://citroenclassics.wordpress.com/2014/06/25/new-budget-tyre-for-d-models/ Absolutely proves my point ! What other cars in the world are noted for rolling as as much as Citroen’s ? No extra anti roll bars here just grip accrued by allowing the tyre to roll and present a whole tyre tread ( and sometimes more) to the road. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 3 hours ago, stuart said: These are good and look the part as well as performance, https://tyres.buycarparts.co.uk/retro-4717622045123-j7711 And in 165 https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/retro/rc-001/165-80-r15-86h-822035 Stuart. Those are really cheap! It's a knockoff of the Michelin XVS which is a superb tyre but picks up rocks too large for the XAS. https://classic.michelin.com/en/Classic-Tyre-range/XVS Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 2 minutes ago, Motorsport Mickey said: You heard it here first both from Tom in his TR250 On 185s and myself in numerous other posts. “Both tanked in the high-speed test when performed according to Auto Bild’s stricter requirements (with two degrees camber), but passed the standard test performed according to UNECE requirements.“ Too much camber, or another one of my favourites a front anti roll bar which prevents roll, just means you have maybe 15-20% of the tyre NOT even touching the road surface. 2 degree camber in the dry ok but it compromises wet handling. Mick Richards I agree with that, especially a car with no roll characteristics (roll bar at the front) I would have thought would have a tendency to 'push', but just looking at the profile and quality of the Retro looks like the sidewall might do most of the gripping under those conditions? Curiously, the test car had oversteer, but I suppose with all 4 tyres rolling under it could've gone just about anywhere! Tbh honest most of these classic car tyres look like they are outdated s#*t. Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRD Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 1 hour ago, boxofbits said: It depends. I'd suggest that the journal has conducted a fair test across all 8 tyres, used the same car, the Healey 3000 to evaluate each tyre, and presumably under the same environmental and road surface conditions. I would therefore conclude that the specifics, circumstances, or criteria of the test, whatever you want to call it, are identical. What other information would you go by, and would you, after reading the report go out and spend nearly £80 each on the Retro ? I wouldn't. Despite buying Nankang myself, I think some of the traditional brands like Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli take some beating. I've been using them for a couple of years now, and they seem fine under all the conditions I've used them for. Just as good as the Vedrestein ones I had before. I cant justify spending nearly £200 per tyre on a car that only does a couple of 1,000 miles a year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRD Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 2 hours ago, Motorsport Mickey said: You heard it here first both from Tom in his TR250 On 185s and myself in numerous other posts. “Both tanked in the high-speed test when performed according to Auto Bild’s stricter requirements (with two degrees camber), but passed the standard test performed according to UNECE requirements.“ Too much camber, or another one of my favourites a front anti roll bar which prevents roll, just means you have maybe 15-20% of the tyre NOT even touching the road surface. 2 degree camber in the dry ok but it compromises wet handling and grip. Mick Richards Mine is a ex US car so 185 is the correct size. A 165 would make the speedo over read by 5-6% Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 3 hours ago, boxofbits said: It depends. I'd suggest that the journal has conducted a fair test across all 8 tyres, used the same car, the Healey 3000 to evaluate each tyre, and presumably under the same environmental and road surface conditions. I would therefore conclude that the specifics, circumstances, or criteria of the test, whatever you want to call it, are identical. What other information would you go by, and would you, after reading the report go out and spend nearly £80 each on the Retro ? I wouldn't. Despite buying Nankang myself, I think some of the traditional brands like Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli take some beating. The use of a Healey 3000 is definitely worse case scenario, they are notoriously front end heavy and drive like a lorry, I have restored half a dozen of them and every time I used to road test them I had to go for a drive in a TR afterwards to feel better Several TR6 owners are running them and Ive not heard any complaints Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, stuart said: The use of a Healey 3000 is definitely worse case scenario, they are notoriously front end heavy and drive like a lorry, I have restored half a dozen of them and every time I used to road test them I had to go for a drive in a TR afterwards to feel better Several TR6 owners are running them and Ive not heard any complaints Stuart. They might've picked a better testbed than a Healey 3000 I agree ! Though probably best to pick a car that's going to be heavy on the tyres, and I suppose consistency throughout testing is the key to accurate data no matter what you use. At best with all 8 sets of tyres it was probably bloody awful, and it's successor the MGC was no better Kevin PS. If you find 'Nameless Budget Tyre' printed on your sidewalls then you really do need to start worrying! Edited August 18, 2020 by boxofbits Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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