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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 TD TF 1500 - Need new tires

I stopped in at the tire shop I use yesterday to get some tires lined up for Bill's TF and maybe a new set for mine which are about 10 years old now and I was disappointed to discover that none of the brand name manufactures produce a tire in the size we need. I won't do Chinese, which was the only option he had available.

So before I call Coker and order some imitation whatever... has anybody bought a new set in the last few months? What did you buy and where?


Thanks
MG LaVerne

LaVerne,
Coker Firestone 88 bucks ea. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coker-Firestone-F560-Tire-165-15-Blackwall-Radial-568741-Each-/391339090941?hash=item5b1da0a3fd:g:EQYAAOSwAKxWaEMc&vxp=mtr


Or, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coker-Vredestein-Sprint-Tire-165-15-Blackwall-579821-Set-of-4-/391177575934?hash=item5b14001dfe:g:6DQAAOSwjVVVzH4J&vxp=mtr
Paul161

I got some made by Coker,,Firestone 560 knock-offs,, wasn't happy at all,, max pressure was only 32 psi,,, most tires now are well above that,,, thay gave a very squishy ride,,,plus they were not round,,,made in Mexico.
Also it rook quite a while to cut off all of the "hairs" left from the manufacturing process. These hairs were all over the tires,,even the side walls!! really looked bad on the spare..
The attached picture was after I spend a long time cutting the hairs off of the side walls

I sent them back for a refund

Steve Wincze

I'd choosen Vredestein sprint classic last summer here in D, drove 2000km and I'm satisfied. But I don't have a chance for a comparison, because these are my first tire for the TD. For me it looks fine.
Bela

The 165-15 Michelins from Coker are now made by Michelin in their plant in Serbia. Other than a thousand furry rubber tits covering them they are exactly the same as the old made in Europe XZX's. George
George Butz

Thanks guys...looks like the choices are Coker...for whatever or... Chinese for cheap....and based on everything rubber that I have had the displeasure to handle from there that ain't gonna happen.

Wonder where the Vred's are made at now?
MG LaVerne

I have many compliments on how well my car handles, sway bar, poly bushings, 480# front springs, & Michelin tires.
Before I did any suspension upgrades I won the Nova Scotia GOF #73 hill climb 2002, again using Michelin tires,
( And a almost stock profile Chet Herbert roller camshaft).
Never an out of round issue.
Still looking good after 14 years. (They do last longer, both longer tread wear & longer time before dry rot cracking)
I may have to replace them soon.
Expensive, but worth it.
Len Fanelli

I ended up with these,,they are round,, balanced out nicely,, had it up to 70,,
Hope this link works,,,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXsq6dwE5tI

Steve
Steve Wincze

The Nankangs were the only "mainstream" tires I could find recently. My tire guy is very good and he searched high and low, as well. Kumho used to make something called a Powerstar which has been discontinued. Hankook has also discontinued our size. You're pretty much stuck with Coker or another specialist supplier if you don't want the Nankangs, I think. I have Vredesteins on the Jaguar and they are a good tire and they look period, as well. I just didn't want to pay more than double for them over the Nankangs for the TD. I paid about $55 apiece for them.

I don't remember where the Vreds on the Jaguar were made, but I can check tonight.
David Littlefield

Dang. The Kumho tires on the MGA are mid 1990's and still in great shape, but guess I better put new ones on if going to MG 2016 in Louisville in June. A lot has changed: those used to be a pretty common size, readily available, but no more.

I guess Coker Michelins are it.

Tyler
Tyler Irwin

If they sell Blockleys over there, try them as they are a great tyre.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Allen Hendrix of Hendrix Wire Wheel in North Carolina is among most knowledgeable about tires and wheels for British cars. www.hendrixwirewheel.com.
At his web site he suggests calling him for latest information on tire sizes, price and availability.

Bobby Loughridge
B. F. Loughridge

LaVerne, you might try Lucas tire and Diamond Back. I am looking at Lucas for the TF which are bias ply and I had Diamond Backs on the 39 Ford and when a problem came up they stood behind their product.
F. Driver

Thanks Fred but radials will be what we are after
MG LaVerne

Just in case your interested as to who makes tires in the US & Canada,

BE: B.F. Goodrich, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
BF: B.F. Goodrich, Woodburn, Ind.
VE, YE, YU, 8B: Bridgestone/Firestone, Des Moines, Iowa
D2, E3, W1, Y7: Bridgestone/Firestone, La Vergne, Tenn.
2C, 4D, 5D: Bridgestone/Firestone, Morrison, Tenn.
UP: Cooper, Findlay, Ohio
UT: Cooper, Texarkana, Ark.
JU, PC, UK: Goodyear, Medicine Hat, Alberta
JJ, MD, PU: Goodyear, Gadsden, Ala.
DA: Dunlop, Buffalo, N.Y.
JN, MJ, PY: Goodyear, Topeka, Kan.
JE, MC, PT: Goodyear, Danville, Va.
JF, MM, PJ: Kelly-Springfield, Fayetteville, N.C.
CF: Titan Tire, Des Moines
JH, MN, PK: Titan Tire, Freeport, Ill.
B plus serial #: Titan Tire, Bryan, Ohio
CC: Yokohama Tire, Salem, Va.
Paul161

Tire Rack has 165 80 15s for a little over 60 bucks, but I don't know if an 80 sidewall is too tall for our cars, anyone use them? PJ
Paul161

Made in China....no thanks
MG LaVerne

MG, I bought my Vredestein sprint classics (155 SR 15 82S) from my local Firestone dealer about 4 years ago for somewhere in the range of $65 each. I don’t race but I do drive windy, twisty roads with some gusto and I’m very pleased with the handling. Jud

J. K. Chapin

MG, my Vredestein sprint classics say that they were “Made in Holland.” Jud

J. K. Chapin

I've told it often and again: "Met Vredestein kunt U tevreden zijn !"
And yes; they're still made in Holland:
http://www.apollovredestein.com/about-apollo-vredestein/history?Lang=en-US
Cheers,

Nick (TD3232)
Nick Herwegh

My Firestones were made in the Ukraine, of all places. PJ
Paul161

Dont know their availability, have a look at Hankooks, made in Korea, their 4WD tyres stand up to Aus conditions, they are a medium priced product which perform surprisingly well.
G Evans

I bought Vredestein 5 years ago and I'm very happy with them. I'm putting a set on my Healey now.
David Honness

Where did you purchase them David? I put them on both of my T cars and a local TD owner did so at my recommendation a couple of years ago. The local shop can no longer get anywhere except through Coker.

As far as what country they are made..I will reserve judgement...except China....no way.
MG LaVerne

MG, I bought mine through the local Firestone store. He ordered them on a Wednesday and mounted them for me on the following Sunday. Plus, while the car was on the rack we lubed it and adjusted the clutch linkage both at no extra charge. Jud
J. K. Chapin

Let's be controversial is it really necessary to fit expensive tyres to a T Series? The dampers are very low tech, the rear is suspended with cart springs and the front end geometry isn't the best. I have mid range vredensteines on the TF and they are more than adequate.

Also can a "techie" explain how our every day carr can measure tyre pressures on the move and sound a warning if one of them is low?

Cheers to all

Jan T
J Targosz

I have the Vreds on mine now and I'm happy with them. But they are no longer available through tire shops here in the States. Only through mail order through Coker Tire.
MG LaVerne

As a tyre loses pressure it reduces in diameter and rotates faster for the same vehicle speed. The revs per minute can easily be measured indicating the fall in pressure.
LaVerne, the two main classic car tyre distributors over here are Longstone Tyres and Vintage Tyres - they may be able to help.
Dave H
Dave Hill

I bought them from Tire Rack I think. Both Universal and Coker has them.
David Honness

The Vreds on my Jaguar were made in Holland, as well.

The Nankangs on the TD were made in Taiwan, not China. Although some folks may consider that a distinction without a difference, Taiwan's reputation for quality manufacturing has historically been much better than China's. They are also a capitalist democracy if politics are your objection. I just got these tires, though, so I don't have any empirical evidence as to their quality.

I got the Vreds through my local Discount Tire, who ordered them through Coker.
David Littlefield

vredistens....had three sets on various cars. All were great.
Dave
D Moore

You can't really purchase quality based upon country of manufacture anymore. I agree that the performance of Vredsteins are as good as you will get in this obscure size.

The advantage of putting a high quality tire on any car, antique or not, is that you will get reliable and safe performance. A quality tire should balance better, run more true and grip the road better in all weather conditions and maneuvering situations. Of course if all you do is put around the neighborhood then it doesn't really matter, but for those who travel the open road or race through the mountains, a good tire will make a very noticeable difference compared to a bad one.
Steve Simmons

My understanding is that the mandated tire pressure monitoring on some modern cars is done with a valve stem with a battery and small transmitter which sends a signal to the car's central computer. This is why the dash monitor can display which tire, including the spare (!) is low. The problem with this is when the tires are rotated the system must be reprogrammed by the dealer to recognize the correct tire location adding greater complexity to maintenance. Automakers wanted to be able to use the already fitted anti-lock brake system which monitors each wheel rotational speed as the low tire pressure warning system but the NHTSA said no this was not accurate enough, hence the current very complex system. The transmitters are easily damaged when changing a tire and batteries have a finite life as well. Does anyone have additional information? Meanwhile, I'm happy to stick with my low tech cars.
John Quilter

JOHN,
Additional info as I have done;
replace the sensors with regular valve stems, and put black electrical tape over the display on the dash,,
Check pressures manually as you would have done in an older car..

Steve
Steve Wincze

My 2007 MINI used the rotational method for identifying a flat tire. Like many BMW products and our 2004 Corvette, it was supplied with runflat tires. Since it is difficult to tell when a runflat lost air, some method was required. I replaced the runflats on the MINI with regular tires when the runflats wore out. The runflats were expensive and harsh.

The 2008 Toyota has sensors in the tire, but aren't location specific and won't tell you actual pressure. If any tire is off, you just get an idiot light and go hunting. The Corvette would tell you both, but the front and rear tires weren't interchangeable, anyway.

So, YMMV with manufacturer and maybe year of manufacture.

I would dearly love to install pressure sensors in the trailer tires, but the aftermarket kits get very mixed reviews.
David Littlefield

One of the greatest safety measures ever. Most people never check tire pressure. Two times recently in our family the warning light came on due to nail, with the tire looking visually fine. I have found the sensors/batteries last 6-10 years depending. Damaging them is pretty rare as all cars have them now. The new ones display actual pressure in each tire when you drive which is cool. George
George Butz

LaVerne
Radial Tire in Silver Springs MD has them. I purchased them for my TD about 2 years ago. I had Michelin's XZX and switched to
Vredsteins 165-HR-15-86H easier to push in the garage, no flat spots from sitting and better gas mileage. Radialtirecompany.com
301 585 2740 Other than buying tires from them I have no affiliation with them
John Hambleton

I bought our new Cokers, 5.60-15 bias whitewalls, through Summit Racing via Ebay. Best price and no sales tax.

By the way, I ordered new Carlisle FR15 inner tubes from Gearworks Tire and Wheel for $6.20 each. The 5 tubes came to $31 and shipping was $15.27= $46.27 total.
JRN JIM

Does any one with Vredsteins know what the tread wear rating is? It is usually part of the data on the sidewall.
John Quilter

jOHN,
In my search, I see that you got an answer to your question on one of the tire web site,, i found this
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=48

Steve
Steve Wincze

Thanks for all of the input. I'll let Bill make a decision soon about the tires.
MG LaVerne

John, the ratings on the Vredesteins on my Jaguar are as follows:

Treadwear 160
Traction A
Temperature B

These are 185/15 Sprint Classics. I don't know if the ratings would be different on the slightly smaller size for the TD.
David Littlefield

David,
Are the real Vredesteins or Coker repros ????

Steve
Steve Wincze

Kumho Power Star Z58 165 80/15
Comfortable ride, responsive handling, no flat spot from sitting.

I use Kumhos on all of my cars because they are excellent tires. I get long life out of them, they handle well in all conditions, and it doesn't hurt that they are very affordable.

Over the years my BMW's handle better on Kumho tires that the OEM Continentals.

Erick

1953 MG TDC 11267
2008 BMW 328i The last of the inline six cylinder engines.
EB Blackwelder

Erik,
See David Littlefield's post in this thread from March 10,, the Power Stars have been discontinued.
Also see addendium may 2011
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tires/ti101.htm

STEVE
Steve Wincze

Steve,

My Vredesteins were purchased by my tire guy through Coker. They say "Made in Holland" on them, so I think they are "real." Is Coker making "repros" of these? If so, what's the difference? AFAIK, Coker only remakes tires the manufacturer has discontinued and sold the molds-- like the Firestone 560.
David Littlefield

David Littlefield: Thanks, that is what I was looking for as I am considering Vredesteins for my Jaguar 3.8S (185 80/15) but wish they had a higher rating for treadwear but there are precious few choices these days.
John Quilter

More than we'll ever need to know about tires:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/tires/buying-guide/index.htm

.....
MAndrus

This thread was discussed between 10/03/2016 and 22/03/2016

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