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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 - Tire Shopping

When shopping for new tires for the TD, will either a 165/15 or 165/80x15 fit on the spare and clear the bumper and splash pan? I don't want to make one of my usual mistakes. Is there any difference between the two sizes?
Jim Merz

No problem, Jim. Technically, a 165/15 is a 165/82/15. Bud
Bud Krueger

Thanks Bud. Now for some brand shopping and trying to decide if it is better to shop locally or buy on line with a local installer. Got to get rid of my old tires due to age, not wear.
Jim Merz

Jim, I'm facing the same decision (age, not wear) this spring. Mine are a good 10 years old but <10k miles. May I ask how old you're are?
Ed
efh Haskell

Ed, I am embarrassed to tell you that they are about 30 years old although no telltale signs of any significant wear or flex cracks. They were installed so I could push the bare frame around. How's that for age? The tires probably have about 4 to 5,000 miles at most.
Jim Merz

Jim, I was in the same boat a couple of years ago on my Dunlop SP-20's. I ended up buying a set of Kumhos. Here's my BBS message about them:
"Tires arrived today. Kumho 165/80R15 87T. Three have date code of 5108, other one is 5008. Standard Rim 4.5J. Made in China. $243.11 delivered." I bought them over the internet from an outfit in WA and I'm quite happy with the tires. Bud
Bud Krueger

Our TF has the same Dunlop gold seal tires on it that were on it when we bought it, in 1988! Judging by the lack of wear on the tires, and the 57,000 on the odometer, I would guess that these are only the second set of tires that have ever been on the car.
The car has only gone 58 miles in the last ten years, and I don't foresee driving it any time soon. Maybe after showing it for a few years I will replace the tires. They are to old to drive on now.
I just wish I could still buy those tires today!
-David
D. Sander

Just bought five(5)Dunlop Roadspeed tyres and five(5)
Michelin tubes to fit,from Vintage Tyres (UK)
Brilliant and thoroughly reliable service and quality.
The tyres are made in Great Britain.

I had to deviate slightly from the original cross plies
in that Dunlop do not make 5.50s x15 anymore,however 5.90s are now supplied.All to the good.

I know I know..... crazy for buying expensive cross ply
tyres,however TFing is a 'Car'eer!

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
R GRANTHAM

Classic Motorsports magazine just did an interesting tire test for classic cars. It would be worth a look before buying.
Jack Long

Jim,
I put Vredestein Sprint Classic 165R1586 on the front and 185R1581 on the rear on my TD and they fit well. One problem I did have is I had to shim the spare tire away for the carrier about 1/2" because of the tire width. I used a 165R15 for the spare as the 185R will not fit. Hope this helps.

Bill
TD24570

Bill Brown

I made the mistake of putting some half-worn Michelin XZX's on my TF for a track day. Unfortunately, they turned out to be old and so hard that I kept sledging off with gross understeer.

Probably worth a thought - even if your old tyres aren't worn much, they may let you down in a crisis.

David

D A Provan

This thread was discussed between 04/02/2014 and 25/02/2014

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