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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - TF 160 GY F1 Tyres

I have heard bad vibes about GSD-3's. I called Goodyear technical 01902 327070. They say MG asked them to specifically tune the compound of the GSD-2's and the car suspension has been set up to match them. At the mo MG are testing and as yet MG do not approve fitting GSD-3's. Thus GY don't recommend fitting them on a TF 160. I also asked my dealer to ask MG too. The answer came back as 'fit GSD-2 as that's what the car is designed to work with'. And 'MG have no control mover what customers fit as that's a personal decision but we have found more wheelspin with GSD-3's.'

That to me implies the GSD-3's are a harder compound; with better wear but maybe less grip.

I have posted picures of both versions of Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres over on Jerry's site.

http://www.xpower-mg.com/forum/showthread.php?s=f58dd79b6fe1720e9b06828074546d1b&threadid=7305
Ian Walker

I've replaced the original rears on my TF160 with GSD3. In my opinion they offer better grip than the GSD2, although I'm not sure about wear. I did call quite a number of tyre dealers to get GSD2, however none of them could supply the GSD2 tyre, they're all saying it is now obsolete. (I paid £145 all in, for two GSD3's fitted by F1 Autocentre's)
J M Wilkes

Broadly speaking, independent tests are placing the GS-D3 very highly, so I find it quite surprising that some have found some problems with this tyre on the TF. I guess the jury is still out on this one.

Bear in mind though that Goodyear tyres do seem to take a little longer to bed in than many would think (or would expect from experience from other tyre manufacturers).
Rob Bell

Whether other users think more or less of tyres is one thing. A free view/choice. But here MG and GY are saying don't fit; at least not yet?!

I too was surprised about issues when EVO rated GSD3's top in 2002/3 tyre test. GY say the TF is a light car with wide tyres and wet handling is a challenge. Hence the tuned compound. GY also said they wanted to, and tried to, get GSD3's fitted to new TF's but MG refused and are sticking to GSD2's. Thus. all F1 shod new cars are being delivered with, what is from GY view, an old design.

Both GSD2's and GSD3's are readily available. I paid about £70 each for both the the GSD2's and GSD3's.

Ian Walker

"They say MG asked them to specifically tune the compound of the GSD-2's and the car suspension has been set up to match them."

Does this imply that GSD2s available anywhere are to an MGR spec, or is the tyre as provided to MGR a specially produced version? Could this have implications when tyres are replaced, for example, in the event of an accident where an insurance company might possibly refuse payment on a claim if the incorrect specification of tyre was fitted? And then, what does we do when it's time to replace the GSD2s and they're no longer available?
David Dewick

Original equipment tyres can have slightly different compounds to those one can purchase as the 'generic' tyre (which will look identical).

If you think that this sounds confusing, that is because potentially it is. There are further identification marks on the tyres that define which compound is fitted - and you need to match these when you buy new tyres.

However, how many people really go to all this trouble? Probably not all that many, to be quite honest.

It doesn't seem to cause many problems either.

For what it is worth, my brother has the GS-D3's all round on his F, and he seems perfectly happy with them in daily driving.

If there are any tyre engineers reading this, we'd love to know what all the fuss is about!!!
Rob Bell

I have had GSD3's all round fitted now for a couple months as I could not source any GSD2's anywhere as was in a hurry to replace.

My 200MY VVC F is lowered and I find these GSD3's excellent if not better than the old GSD2's both in the wet as well as the dry and bearing in mind my last set of 2's on the rear only lasted 10k (lots of roundabouts in Milton Keynes!!)

So I would reccomend them
Bob Sewett

>>>GY say the TF is a light car with wide tyres

Unfortunately, it's not *that* light. :(

If you really want to buy old F1's I think B&G have em lying aroung, although they're pretty steep for tyres IMO.
David Bainbridge

I am having the GSD3 fitted to my 2002 vvc on Friday and was told by more than one supplier that the GSD2 was obsolete and unavailable.
Alan
Alan Dunlop

Alan, who and how much? ;)
paul weatherill

Paul, I got a quote for tyres on Tuesday, F1's £85 each fitted & balanced.
This was at 'Performance Tyres' behind Halfords in Paisley.
P.S. Who scalped'cha?
Might as well! summer is here!
Was good to see you yesterday.
quikstu

Forgot to add, that was for the GS-D2, which I deliberatley asked for.
quikstu

Thanks Stu,

Got a feeling they might be a bit more for 17's but will give them a visit anyhow.

The hair, well figured it was more aerodynamic, believe it gives me an extra .5 bhp with the soft-top down.

paul weatherill

Paul,

Alan's just told me £280 (16" wheels) from Jim Dickson at Cumbernauld Village. That's who I got my tyres from and I can recommend them.
David Clelland

Maxime Bonnet in France just fitted GSD-3s to the front wheels of his F (still has GSD-2s at the rear) and finds them "slighty less stable but still very good".

Now usually it would be unadvisable with an F or TF to fit different profiles front and rear. But he seems to be OK with them.

It's an F though and not a TF.
Anthony Braham

This thread was discussed between 11/05/2003 and 16/05/2003

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