New Tyres

[rogerguzzi]

Hello All
I am new to this board, We have owned a 1968 Traveller for about 3 1/2 years

I must admit I am more of a Triumph man (TR2 in pieces, Mk2 Vitesse, 1500 Spitfire) plus a few Velocette motorcycles!

The Moggy was bought on a whim(we owned one when the children were small)

We don't do a lot of miles in it and no motorways, but it needs new tyres as they are dying of old age(a bit like me?)

So I am looking for the cheapest that will do the job? and I saw these and I have a man that will fit them for £10 a wheel.

http://www.tyretraders.com/cart.aspx

So what do you all think? if the link does not work they are £121 delivered and are NANKANG 155/80R14 81T CX668

Roger

[bmcecosse]

155 are too wide for standard 3 " wheels ! Look for 145 section tyres... £10 a wheel seems a LOT! Buy a couple of tyre levers and DIY ! It's not difficult....

[liammonty]

It's true that the 155 80 14s are slightly too wide - 145s were what was fitted as standard. However, I, along with many many others have used them over likely millions of miles, and I personally have heard of no issues. I've had Nankang CX668s on my saloon, and they are very much better than the same size Toyos and I rate them. I also have them on my Landcrab, and they are very good on that too. For the price, you won't get better. I gather the Bridgestone 145s are excellent, but they are rather more pricey.

[Boomlander]

I have Nankang 155/80/14 tyres fitted to my standard wheels and they perform just fine.

[ManyMinors]

Yes, buy them if you're on a budget. I've had them on our daily used Minor saloon for the last few years and have had no problems whatsoever. They are good value for money.

[ManyMinors]

Incidentally, our local garage also charge £10 each for tyre (or £30 for a set of 4) but that does include removing the old tyres AND disposing of them (which will cost you....), supplying and fitting new valves, and balancing all wheels. I don't think it is too expensive if you didn't buy the tyres from them. After all, a restaurant will charge you if you bring your own wine to drink at their table.....

[bmcecosse]

Now - that's a different story - £30 including all on that list..... I still say 155 are far too wide, and it would be better to sort out a good deal for 145 tyres.....even if they cost slightly more.

[mike.perry]

Another yes for 155/80/14 Nankangs. Never had any problems with 155 section tyres on my Series MM and I am not noted for my gentle driving!
It might not be too difficult to fit new tyres but you will need a compressor to inflate them unless you have inner tubes and then there is the balancing and tracking

[liammonty]

The time taken to fit them is also a consideration in the cost for me. I never have enough time, so quite happy to pay the labour for someone else to do it, as it would take me very very much longer!

[chesney]

I agree.
I have removed tyres in the past, with tyre levers, and while entirely possible, it takes a long time to do four (comparatively)!

[mowogg]

I am not sure if we are allowed to mention suppliers, but i see you can get a set of Bridgestone 145's at present for a few pence under £224 fitted/balanced etc. Can anyone better this?

Google Bridstone discount code to find this link

[bmcecosse]

Practice makes perfect Chesney! There are plenty of Bridgestone tyres of the correct size on ebay at v reasonable cost - described as 'winter tyres' - but that's not a worry for general use on a Minor. 155 tyres make the Minor squirm around like a jelly.....been there/done that. Not good !

[liammonty]

Despite being a whippersnapper of 38, I've been there and done that too on crossplies, 145s and 155s. I can confirm that on the Nankangs, my Minor is very far indeed from a jelly, blancmange or indeed any other wobbly gelatinous form of pudding. Agreed that they are too wide in theory, but not that they ruin the car's handling!! Other 155s are wobbly though, e.g. Toyos

[Boomlander]

I agree, Nankang 155/80/14 tyres look fine and perform fine - MMMMMMM........JELLY!!

[aupickup]

i run nangkangs 155 and agree they are good on standard rims

[SteveClem]

My traveller is on Toyo 155R14's which have been fine,but here's a funny one.... WhenI got the saloon it was on 165/80/R14's! It drove well on them so I've stuck with them. Currently on Falkens. Makes her sit a bit high but that's useful with arthritic knees. Spare is a tight fit. Will someone be along to say they are unsuitable? I thought a bit more rubber on the road shouldn't be a bad thing.

[Boomlander]

More rubber on the road is a good thing as long as the tyre does not roll off the rim when cornering!
165/80/14 tyres are over the safety limit for the rim size - be careful!

[chesney]

Unless, of course, they are 4.5J 'van' rims, in which case they're quite suitable.

[SteveClem]

Thanks for the advice chaps. Is there an easy way to tell if they are van rims?

[chesney]

They are generally stamped either LP917 (or LP936 if you're lucky) on one of the hub cap mounts iirc.