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MG MGF Technical - Which Tyres?

Hoi fellow F'ers,

(96MPI, 60K)

In Feb 2002 I got some Bridgestone RE720 and done over 25k and still going strong. But thinking of what to try next I'm abit stuck. They are overall a good tyre but can be tricky in Rain and Aquaplaning. Once they got to working temperature they stick pretty well on the dry.

What tyres do you ride and what are your experiences and what do you recommend?

I appreciate your comments.

Jorg
Jorg

Hello Jorg,

Personally I can't fault my Eagle F1's

Colin

Same here, Eagle F1s. Saying that I havent tried anything else on my F but the F1s do the job very well.
G.C

F1s are superb in the wet, and can be purchased for both 15 and 16" wheel fitments.

Personally I prefer S-02s - but these are no longer available for 15" rims - but may be for 16" - Dave?

Mind you, I've only tried the GS-D2 version of the F1 - anyone able to compare this with the current GS-D3?

More at http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/tyres.htm
Rob Bell

Thanks all!

One more question.
IS it Ok to put 195/50 on the front, surely the handling is better woth more narrow tyres???

Jorg
Jorg

Jorg,
If you think the Re720s need warming up, then do not go for S02 or S03, these need even more warming up!
I find Re720s pretty good even in the wet, and I must say I have not noticed any real need to get then up to temperature like I did with the softer Bridgestones.

Jason H
Jason H

Jorg, are we talking 15" rim fitment here? I assume we are. If so, then yes, 195/50 R15s are fine on the front. Handling is still excellent with 205/50 R15 on the front too - but there isn't any huge benefit in doing this, other being able to swap the front and rear tyres to even out wear.

>>If you think the Re720s need warming up, then do not go for S02 or S03, these need even more warming up!<<

Can't comment on the S03, but the S02 certainly does not need any warming up - its grippy from the outset! Mind you, I agree that grip does improve further with a bit of warmth, but these tyres are prone to overheating on the track (prolonged use) - or so I'm told - not suffered from this myself (may be I'm not trying hard enough! LOL)
Rob Bell

Hi Jorg & Rob,
I have some experience with Eagle F1 GS-D2 and GS-D3, although on 16" wheels. The D2 look much nicer, but the D3 are much better in any respect. I have experienced improvement in every possible condition (not snow, for that we mountain people have winter tyres ;-) I can not make any statement about the lifetime yet. I did only 10k km last autumn with them. But it looks promising.

Cheers,
Ingo
Ingo

Thanks for that feed back Ingo :o)

I think I'd like to try the GS-D3 on my car - it's a shame one can't test drive different tyres on one's own car isn't it?
Rob Bell

Rob,

I have just had some new F1 fitted to my rear wheels 215 40 zr16 and some far I have not been to impressed but am hoping it is due to them being new and need bedding in.

I got them at micheldever for £146 for 2 so not bad price but driving back I found the car was wondering around and tramlining so much I was having to slow down. It was the same driving upto Techspeed for its MOT but on the way back after having the tracking done it did improve so hopefully the more miles the better they get.

Not driven them in the rain yet so can say what they are like.

Tom
Tom Randell

I've got both flavours of F1 on mine 195/50/15 D3s on the front and 205/50/15 D2s on the rear.

The D3s where recently fitted and as their on the front I can't really comment too much on performance. Tread is slightly different more angular on the D3 as the V pattern reaches the edges the D2 has more or a curve. D3 has a better rim protector.

Gaz
('96 VVC ... Hurricane'd)
Gaz R

Sorry, bit late to this thread as I've been offline a couple of days.

Rob says:

>>Personally I prefer S-02s - but these are no longer available for 15" rims - but may be for 16" - Dave?

Yes, you can still get S02s for 16". I got them from Micheldever recently for just under £100 each (I forget the exact price - but Micheldever were cheaper than anywhere else I could find).

The only thing is they only do 205 upwards and so I run 205 all around. Upside is that I can change them around and even up the wear - downside is that I suspect the turn in would be sharper on 195s at the front.

I've had no problem on cold SO2s, but have had them blister a little by the end of a day on track, once I've learnt the lines and started to push them ;-)

I've stuck with SO2s because they have always been so grippy. I started with the factory supplied NCTs and then bought F1s, and finally moved to SO2s.

Dave
Dave

Tom,


Give the tyres a bit of time to scrub in. Mine felt awfully light for a few miles until they lost there shine.

Tim
tim woolcott

Tim

The tyres are getting better and better the more miles I do.
I expect the main problem is due to the different tread pattern and of course needing to bed in.

Tom
Tom Randell

This thread was discussed between 26/02/2003 and 27/02/2003

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