Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Tyre recommendations

Hi Folks
Does anyone have any recommendations for 205/60/R15 size tyres? Toyo TR1s and Yokohama AD08s seem popular but don't come in this size and when asymmetrical pattern tyres are removed from the equation the available choice looks very limited indeed.
The current Pirelli P600s on my '93 Plus 8 don't appear to be date coded - so I think it may be time for a change!
Many thanks
Nigel

I'm trying to decide on tyres as well. Currently got 195s on one set of wheels and knac worn out Yoko 048's on another. I don't really want to put another set of 048s on as it is basically a road car that does half a dozen hillclimbs a year and apart from the scarey price it seems overkill.

Simon

Hi Nigel

I was until recently in a similar position to you with old pirellis on my plus 8.

Went to National Tyres who sorted me out with 4 x Dunlop Sport BluResponse which have excellent A wet braking rating etc. These are 205/60/15 and I think they have the right look. See google pics.

Total cost was £380 inc guarantee. I'm sure I could have got them cheaper elsewhere but I was happy with the service.

The young fitter called me over and showed me where the front tyres had been rubbing against the side light wiring which was loose and chafed on both sides. He offered to and sorted a fix with cable ties foc.

I have the car regularly serviced by Morgan dealer and was disappointed they hadn't spotted that!

Anyway the difference in road holding and ride over poor surfaces on the way home and since is astonishing.

Cheers

Old tyres are a real hidden disaster waiting to happen.

Especially as a lot of Morgans don't get driven much the tyres don't wear out very quickly and without the squidging effect when being used the rubber does not get chemically maintained properly and goes brittle.

Occasionally we see Morgans coming along to the sprint taster day with old tyres and as a result can be regularly seen pirouetting round corners.

The owners are really !! surprised at what impact old tyres have when pushed past the regular trundle.

Glad to see you have a new set and that National Tyres sorted you out so kindly.

Yep, I experienced this first hand with my old 4/4 a few years back, coming off the M3 onto a roundabout in the rain in heavy traffic....I think they were the original tyres and 20 years old. Luckily we both survived intact but needless to say they were all changed the next day (not the only thing that needed changing!) and it transformed the handling of the car.
I haven't had the Plus 8 that long and cosmetically the tyres look fine, but the previous owner hadn't exactly been racking up the miles in recent years and the lack of a date code has started the alarm bells ringing and I certainly don't want to repeat my 4/4 experience.