Pirelli Cinturato tyres.

[Owlsman]

Firstly, not sure if this topic is correctly located in 'General Discussion', 'Mechanical' or 'Other Topic' so if it needs re-directing can someone please either do it for me or let me know, Thanks.

I know for many, this may seem a tad over the top but I am seriously considering investing in a new set of tyres for my 4 x door 1098 saloon. It is currently shod with 3 x Firestone F560's and 1 x Bridgestone B381 Ecopia (plus a B/stone spare). The 'odd' pair are on the front. To be fair, all of the tyres do seem to be in very good condition with no visible damage to the walls and all have plenty of tread left They are all 145 80 R14's.

My issue is that I know nothing about them - especially their age and the previous owner was less than clear when I specifically asked. From the umpteen threads I've read on here (and elsewhere) I now know that tyre age is a critical safety factor. Since taking over custodianship of the car I've gone through (and replaced, as necessary) just about every reasonable safety and reliability aspect I can think of except the 4 bits that actually are in contact with the road!

The existing tyre threads also throw up just about every combination imaginable recommending this that and the other brand, size, pressure both front, front and rear, all round etc. etc. What does seem to be missing, however, is much serious reference to Pirelli tyres which I know, in relative terms, are very expensive.

I was virtually at the point of settling on a set of Bridgestones when I stumbled across the video produced by Longstone Tyres of Bawtry which suggests that the Pirelli is the best. At the risk of probably confusing me still further, can anyone give me an honest assessment, arising from practical experience on Pirellis please...…..or anything else that I should take into consideration. It's worth saying that the only definite decision I've made is to stick to 145's and that my driving style is 'steady' rather than to 'drift' into high-speed corners!! A new set of tyres is a fairly substantial outlay and without sounding conceited, is well within my means but it will be a 'one-off' purchase which will certainly see me and probably the car out, so I just want to get it right. In order of priority :- safety, comfort, handling, and value for money are what I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance, as ever, to y'all.

[Myrtles Man]

My issue is that I know nothing about them - especially their age...
[/quote

https://www.pellonautocentre.com/how-ol ... ars-tyres/

[ManyMinors]

Your Firestone tyres will be pretty old simply on the basis that they haven't been available for many years. The Bridgestone tyres are excellent and suit the Minor very well. I have been very pleased with mine. Whether the Pirellis are worth the extra money who knows? I have no experience of them but I would say that it rather depends on how enthusiastic a driver you are and how many miles you are likely to do. If you are only going to cover a very low mileage each year and just "potter about" you might as well purchase cheap tyres. However, if you drive the car hard and often then it is worthwhile paying more.

I'm sure the Pirelli tyres are very good. Longstone will certainly tell you so as they are the main stockists of them

[Monty-4]

The Pirellis are rather expensive so perhaps a little excessive for a steady driver? I think you would save yourself a considerable sum by replacing the Firestones with Bridgestones to match your existing tyre and spare and would be very happy with the result.

I run Vredestein tyres which are somewhere between Bridgestone and Pirellis in terms of price (and that Longstone dismiss as sub-par), but am perfectly happy with them and have never managed to get the slightest slip or skid out of them, no matter how hard I've tried!

[Bowie69]

You can age your existing tyres by checking the sidewall:

https://www.blackcircles.com/helpcentre ... -of-a-tyre

May help you make a decision

[Myrtles Man]

You can age your existing tyres by checking the sidewall:

https://www.blackcircles.com/helpcentre ... -of-a-tyre

May help you make a decision

Snap!

[shoebone]

Firestones may not be that old, on sale right now right here in the USA. I fitted four last year and I'm quite happy with them.

[Owlsman]

Decision made! - I'm going for a set of Bridgestones, which I'll have fitted in a couple of week's time (I'm on holiday next week).

Whilst I've got your attention, what's the consensus (if any) on tyre pressures please? ie. just for leisurely runs and not high speed motorway cruising, of course.

Thanks for everyone's input, by the way. I was already aware of the date of manufacture code that is supposed to be on the sidewall but I looked on every tyre and I couldn't see anything that resembled one of the 4 letter codes...…..perhaps my tyres are so old that they pre-date this system!!

[ManyMinors]

That's a good choice I think. I've been very pleased with my Bridgestones. The original BMC handbook suggests tyre pressures of 24psi front and 26psi rear with 145/14 radial tyres fitted. I've seen no reason to deviate much from this and run mine at 26psi all round. I know there are some forum members who seem to think that higher pressures are better but I found no advantage personally. A Morris Minor is a light car. A little experimentation will do no harm though.

Our American friend is correct that Firestone tyres have been available in the USA. However they are not in the UK and have not been for many years. I don't know why not because they were a good and popular choice. I had assumed that the OP was in the UK but maybe wrong? Your tyres should show a date somewhere - I have seen some where this was only visible on one side so maybe yours are hidden on the inside wall!

[Owlsman]

Thanks for your pointers re tyre pressures MM. I think I'll start with 24 (fr) & 26 (r) and as you suggest, experiment a bit from there.

FYI I am from downtown South Yorkshire.

Thanks again everyone.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

I often wonder if the age of tyres matters much, when visible condition matters more. A few thin cracks are often the consequence of sunlight damage and nothing to worry about. My MO came with 1972 Viking radials I used for a few thousand miles, still plenty of tread but starting to perish. Still, it hugged the road and when I fitted new Excelsior crossplies the handling was exactly the same.

TL;DR, there is a massive inbuilt safety reserve in tyres and it doesn't matter much when you rarely exceed 60 MPH. Just stick to quality makes.

[minor65]

I have bridgestones fitted to all my minors. Bridgestones all the way !!!! 30 psi all round.

[KeithL]

The handbook for our Traveller says 26psi all round, but that was for Crossply tyres. With Radials the recommended pressure is 30psi all round. Those pressures may differ for saloons.

[ManyMinors]

The handbook for our Traveller says 26psi all round, but that was for Crossply tyres. With Radials the recommended pressure is 30psi all round. Those pressures may differ for saloons.

That's interesting. Which handbook is that? I still have the maker's handbook supplied with my car when new and that suggests 24 psi front and 26psi rear with radial ply tyres. Less for crossplys. I know some owners prefer higher pressures but I've never seen it quoted in a handbook.

[Biggles1957]

Minors handle very nicely on Bridgestones. I ran mine at 26psi all round.

[KeithL]

The handbook for our Traveller says 26psi all round, but that was for Crossply tyres. With Radials the recommended pressure is 30psi all round. Those pressures may differ for saloons.

That's interesting. Which handbook is that? I still have the maker's handbook supplied with my car when new and that suggests 24 psi front and 26psi rear with radial ply tyres. Less for crossplys. I know some owners prefer higher pressures but I've never seen it quoted in a handbook.

Well that's got me thinking. I have rechecked the handbook and it says 22 front and 24 rear for the Traveller (22 + 22 for the Saloon). The handbook is undated but I assume this is for Crossply tyres. Where I got my figure of 30 psi from for Radials I don't know. Someone must have recommended that to me in the early days as that is what I have always used. Maybe I will try dropping the pressures and see what happens.

Apologies for my error and any confusion it may have caused.

[Blaketon]

I had some Pirelli fitted new on the only new car I ever owned, a Mini (Issigonis type). They gripped well but Michelin lasted longer. Unless a car is being used a lot and covering a high mileage, I'd go for grip. If they perish, before they wear out, a high mileage tyre is of no use.

My Traveller came with a set of Nankang tyres, which I assumed would be poor but they've been good. They are old now (Not worn) and I don't yet know what I will have fitted to my new "Van" wheels.

[ManyMinors]

Although I have Bridgestone tyres on the Minor I drive most, I have Nangkang tyres on the other one. The Nangkangs are the larger size (155/80/14) and were less expensive. For the money, they have been a good tyre and will be perfectly adequate for most purposes and the larger size gives slightly higher gearing. I prefer them to the Toyo tyres I had previously. The car with the Bridgestone tyres does drive better but it is marginal. Not everybody would notice the difference It'll depend a bit on how you drive so the extra expense will not be worthwhile for everybody. As somebody else has already pointed out: If you cover a low mileage and the tyres perish before they wear out, there is little point in purchasing expensive, longer lasting tyres.