MGB Register Forum

My 62 MGB with wire wheels is in need of new tyres (+tubes+rim tapes) but for the limited mileage each year the Pirelli Cints seem well over-priced. I see Barum are recommended and Vredestein which look more reasonable but my local garage said he can get Continental or even cheaper Falken in 165/14 which look like they are compatible and right sort of profile. Does anybody have experience of any of these or alternatives. Any comments on ride, road holding and road noise would be welcome.
Thanks

Shortly before MGB50 in 2012 I checked my tyres and realized with some horror that the cinturatos were very old indeed. So did I bit of searching around and found some Barum Brillantis 165/80 R14 85T
summer tyres. Had them fitted shortly before the very wet event at Blenheim Palace, they performed very well, good grip in the wet and felt comfortable. I'm no speed merchant so they may not suit everyone. They are much quieter than the ancient cints, no squeal going around corners, a good basic budget tyre especially for any car not doing a big mileage. I got mine online from mytyres.co.uk
I think they may well have other alternatives listed as well. I haven't had the need to look on their site for a while, good luck

Hi Keith,
Personally I use Toyo on my B and also on the MR2 I have. They do wear well, and grip well in both wet and dry conditions. They are available in 155 x 14 and 165 x 14 for the standard wire wheel. I've noticed a lot of people like David have used Barum (which I think are made by Continental) so they must be good otherwise people wouldn't use them.
Don't forget you need to go to somewhere who knows how to balance wire wheels correctly. This article from Moss Motors explains all!
http://www.mossmotors.com/SiteGraphics/ ... heels.html

Hi Keith,
I have Barum 165s on my 65 Roadster which I bought following advice from this forum. They perform well although as this is my first B, I cannot make a comparison with other brands. I endorse other views about balancing, mine were perfectly balanced by Alan Collins at Market Square Garage in Petworth.

I must admit to being something of a Falken fan. I find good value for money when compared to other tyres. They seem to last and grip well.

I've currently got them fitted to my 76 BGT and although not original profile I've never noticed this to be a problem.

Since Goodyear have stopped doing MGTF sized tyres there will be a set heading onto that soon enough as well!

Hi Tom
In June 2014, MG Motor issued a strongly worded Technical Bulletin regarding TF tyres. The reason for it is that some tyres can make the TF handle very strangely especially on 16 inch wheels. Although the Goodyear GSD2 remains the ONLY recommended tyres, Falken and Toyo have tyres that acceptable. There are also plenty of posts about tyres on the MG F Register forum.

Falken Zeix ZE914 Front - Falken Zeix ZE914 195/45 x 16 84V Rear - Falken Zeix ZE914 215/40 x 16 86W
Or
Falken Ziex ZE912 Front – Falken Ziex ZE912 195/45 R16 84V I0123 Extra Load Rear - Falken Ziex ZE912 215/40 R16 86W I0123 Extra Load
Or
Toyo Proxes TI-R Front - Toyo Proxes T1-R 195/45 R16 80V PXT1-R-2 ANH3608 Rear - Toyo Proxes T1-R 215/40 R16 86W PXT1-R-3 ANH3608

Make sure you get the right Falkens!

I can't attach the full bulletin as this forum doesn't allow PDF attachments, but if you want a copy send me a PM with your email address and I'll send it to you.