New tyres!! Can anyone help

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:33 am

HI there. After a puncture the other day and having to use the spare tyre (which isn't new) I decided I need to buy some new tyres for my moggie. Does anyone know of any stockists in or around Cambridgeshire as I have currently rarely used tyres but I am not sure of the age. New would be better.
Thanks alot
Steve

Post by **RogerRust** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:23 am

I bought mine from one of the Minor specialists and got a small local firm to fit them.

Post by **nigelr2000** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 10:36 am

I bought mine via the local garage from Bull motif as they had an account with them and could get them cheaper than I could. It ended up costing a couple of quid less than if I had ordered them myself and that included fitting. They are in Overstrand in Norfolk so a bit far away for you.

Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:12 am

the way to tell the age of your tyre is look for the letters "DOT" on the side wall (depending on the age of the tyre it might only be on one side) if you then follow the side wall around the last three or four digits tell you the age..

the first two numbers are the week of the year. the last one or two digits are the year. if you have one digit it was made before 2000 so if you have 7 it was hopefully made in 1997 but it could have been made in 1987 or 1977! if you have two digits eg 01 it will have been made in 2001

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:25 am

I might have an ask around, see what local garages might possibly have account with MM suppliers. I will also ask at the club who uses what. My tyres are ok for now but when a couple start to go, I will then possibly change all at once. Few months and I will save up

Thanks very much and Charlie, I will take a look at the age of them. Thanks for that tip.

Post by **Blaketon** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:07 pm

When I bought my Traveller, it had 155 X 14 Nankang tyres, which I had never heard of beforehand. I am more than happy with them and recently obtained two replacements from ESM.

Eventually I'd like to fit LCV wheels, as these are a bit wider and would also take 165 X 14. I'm not really looking to fit wider tyres but the MGB is a very popular classic, so tyres in 165 X 14 (As fitted to most MGBs) are likely to always be available.

Post by **millerman** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:11 pm

Why not go to your local ATS Tyre Depot as I do. Saves a lot of messing around and the prices are good

Post by **rsawatson** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:33 pm

The original size 145/14 tyres are as easy to obtain as any other tyre - or at least they have been for me! You may wish to consider fitting the slightly larger 155/14 as you'll find these cheaper; I found about £20 per tyre.

Remember though that if you're mixing tyre sizes on your car until you replace all of them, it is illegal to have wider on the front than the back!

My uncle owns a franchise in E-Tyres, ordering was very simple but speak with any supplier and you should be able to get hold of them easily. I presently have 155/14s on the back and Goodyear 145/14s on the front, although beforehand I had Firestones!

Post by **dalebrignall** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:11 pm

go to your local tyre place and get them to order them and fit them saves a lot of agro.my tyre place will only supply and fit now.i noticed you had crossplys today,if you want better grip and handleing then get a set of radials on there.

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:55 pm

I will have to ask around then. Is there a noticeable difference in grip with the radials? I will definately consider all round radials when a couple need changing. Save me money and having to change different tyres at different times.
On another subject dale, how many travellers are there in the Herts Branch. I was the only 2 door and the convertible was the only other non trav.

Good turn out though, lovely day too!

Post by **dalebrignall** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:59 pm

i will have to ask stephen quite a few i think we have about 60 members.when you change tyres you will have to do one axel at a time as it is illigal to have a crossply and a radial tyre on the same axel,due to handeling problems .

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:05 pm

Wow, quite a few. I think the cambs Branch have quite a few but only around 7 go to the monthly meets. I would do an axle at a time anyway but that has made me think maybe I could get 3 tyres for the front (one spare

) because the front 2 are different since I got the puncture and the rears are fine. Since the spare tyre has been on though, there is no shaking of the front wheels over 60mph at all. Even up to 72. ;) Ssshhh it was a hill!
Cheers

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:18 pm

On another subject dale, how many travellers are there in the Herts Branch. I was the only 2 door

Good jod I wasn't there Stephen or it would have been another Traveller. As Dale mentions we do have a large membership and at branch meets generally 20 or so attend but when it comes to attending events other than our own rally we tend to have 1 convertible, 1 or 2 vans and 4 - 6 Travellers, I dont know what the majority of our members do with their cars as they don't seem to use them much, but we do have quite a number of Travellers.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:22 am

" Remember though that if you're mixing tyre sizes on your car until you replace all of them, it is illegal to have wider on the front than the back! ""

Well - that's a new one on me ! I seriously doubt it!!

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:25 am

I will have a real problem when it comes to choosing my second car in the future. Convertible or traveller. Or a modified one.
I will have to find out about the number of registered owners in the Cambs branch, sounds like you have more that turn out than us.
BMC, I didn't think it was illegal, I am not knowledgable but what about the newer supercars and modified cars with different wheel sizes. I think on the minor it doesnt make much different. I have 0.2 of a difference between my front and rear tyres..

Post by **dalebrignall** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 5:11 pm

just read minor matters it looks like bull motif are doing the cheaper standuard tyres again hope this helps .

Post by **rsawatson** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:17 am

bmcecosse wrote:" Remember though that if you're mixing tyre sizes on your car until you replace all of them, it is illegal to have wider on the front than the back! ""

Well - that's a new one on me ! I seriously doubt it!!

Maybe I got it wrong then, I was definitely told though that this was the case!

http://www.etyres.co.uk/uk-tyre-law explains the law well.

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:02 pm

Made me think back to when I was a child and seeing the TV advert....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs0WzoVJmaM