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MG MGF Technical - MGF Front Tyre Recommendations

HI,
I have a T reg (99) MGF which has the Goodyear NCT3 tyres on the front (185/55R15) and on the rear I have Bridgestone S-03's. I need to replace the fronts but when I went to the main dealer they would only fit NCT3's on them again quoting a 'alert' from Rover saying that other makes of tyre could impair performance. Does anyone know if I can fit other makes of tyre on the car and what the good makes to go for are ? I find it hard to believe that anything could be worse than the NCT3's as these are awful in the wet.

Any help would be greatly appeciated!

Thanks, Ian
Ian

>Rover saying that other makes of tyre could impair performance.
Note the buliten does _not_ say this, it says that a change in tyres could effect handling, well according to many on here _IT DOES_, also note that it says that other makes of tyre can be fitted as long as the customer is told the above.
Will Munns

Must say that that's quite funny, in an ironic kind of way. Haven't had them myself, but from what I've heard on this site the NCT3's are diabolical tyres. Any decent performance tyres would be an improvement, but it's probably a good idea to fit the same make to all 4 wheels, so S03's sound like a good bet.

Would also suggest that the dealer probably isn't the best place to buy tyres - they normally charge an arm and a leg at least. Try one of the specialist tyre places - or get them from mytyres.co.uk on the net.
chris

I agree completely with what you've said Chris.

NCT-3s are rubbish - but are better than certain makes of tyre that simply do not work well with the MGF chassis. Hence the dealer warning.

It is reasonable to say that the performance tyres, especially those with the softer compounds, do work very very well with the MGF. The Bridgestone S-02s have proven to be outstanding. Sadly, my second set are now worn out, and need replacing :o(

I'd fo along with Chris' recommendation Ian, go for S-03s at the front given the tyre choice at the rear. Best use the same tyre all round. 185/55s are probably not available in the S-03, but 195/50 and 205/50 are both perfectly acceptable choices (I've used both, no problems whatsoever).

I also agree that a main dealer will fleece you for tyres - dealer prices for NCT-3s are usually the SAME as the price for a S-02 or 03 from an independent tyre specialist! I frequently use Micheldever Tyres (near Andover), who are typically very competitive.

BBS recommended tyres can be found at www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/tyres.htm
Rob Bell

hmmm. am i missing something here - my f has got avon zv1s all round. are these a good idea?

simon
simon

HI,
Thanks everyone for your comments - all are helpful! I'm thinking of going for the 195/50R15 Bridgestones on the front. One thing I'm puzzled about (not being to knowledgable on this - as I am sure you have all guessed!) is does changing the tyre size affect insurance, speedo readings or anything like that or just does it make the better!

Again your help is much appreciated!

Cheers Ian
Ian

>>does changing the tyre size affect insurance, speedo readings or anything like that or just does it make the better!<<

Tyres usually have no impact upon insurance -- unless they are illegal, in which case, your insurance company would not be impressed if you were involved in a crash.

Front tyre size has no impact on speedo readings: the speedometer takes it's reading from the gearbox, and therefore the rear wheels on the MGF/TF.

Fitting S-03s will simply be a huge improvement on what your used to now. Go for it.

Simon, some folks here have reported some adverse effects of using Avon ZV1s - most commonly because they've mixed these tyres with another brand on a different axle. If you have no problems with the feel and handling of your car with these tyres, then the chances are that you will be fine. But come replacement time, ensure that all four tyres are of the same brand/type.

Hope that helps
Rob Bell

thanks rob
simon

I've got 205 Avon's all round and the handling is fantastic with them. Did have a problem that when I first got the car back from ATS they had slightly over inflated the rear's which meant that the car felt as though it was driving on ice, however sorted it just by letting some air out!
James King

Thanks Rob (and everyone else) for your help,
Ian

For those who are not made of money I would recomend Toyo Proxes. The are a lower speed rating than some of the more expensive tyres, but rated fast enough for any MGF (unless it's supercharged :-). They are reletively cheap for unidirectionals and are excelent performance for the price. They are also a tougher compound so they also last a lot longer than many performance tyres. If you will be doing the odd track day, go for the Bridgestones, otherwise the Toyo's will do you good service on the road, wet or dry. For those who are impressed by tread pattern looks, they look similar to the Goodyear F1.

See http://www.theflow.demon.nl/fab/ where you will see all the additions and upgrades I made to my F before I had to sell it, including tyres, can't remember the actual page right now but it's easy to find on the site.....
Tony Escort Driver

Just to carry on from Rob's statement...

>the speedometer takes it's reading from the gearbox, and therefore the rear wheels on the MGF/TF.

Provided the rolling circumferance of the rear tyres is within a small percentage difference then a different size tyre will make little or no difference to the accuracy of the speedo. The speedo is not that accurate anyway: consider the fact that the radius of a tyre reduces by 5mm during its life.

Ralph
Ralph

Tony, you may find that if you fit a tyre with a lower speed rating than that recommended by the manufacturer, you may well also be invalidating your insurance - and it is of no use to say that you cannot legally exceed 70 mph in this country anyway, and that therefore rated tyres would be perfectly OK. Before changing to a lower speed-rated tyre, get WRITTEN permission from your insurer - otherwise, you may find that you are running without insurance.

Jonty
M.J. Tait

MJ, please read what I said. Yes the rating is lower than many high performance tyres but higher than the rating of the standard crummy NCT3s and the speed which you can get out of an MGF anyway.

Obviously I am not suggesting you use a lower speed rating than recomended, that would be plain stupid. I was once in a tyre place and someone asked them to fit remolds on a v12 Jag, the tyre fitter refused to do it for safety reasons and was backed up by his bos.

Tony Escort Driver

Tony, sorry - I have now REALLY read what you wrote. Please accept my apologies.

Jonty
M.J. Tait

This thread was discussed between 10/09/2002 and 13/09/2002

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