Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Vredestein Sprint classic or TT2

The Conti tyres have aged +5 years and it is high time to get rid of them.
I had some frightening experience on wet streets - so no more Contis for me.

Vredestein was mentiond to be a good choice. I may go away from 165/80R15 to tyre size 185. Not too many options but Vredestein 185/70r15 Sprint classic is available and a lot of 185/65r15 from different suppliers.
The Vredestein Sprint classic looks fine but is it good on the wet? Any 4/4 or +4 owners have got positive experience? (I would prefer a 185/70 because of road clearence while 185/65 are offered at better prices and with good ratings on wet surface, especially the Vred. TT2)

Kindly asking for your comments!

Hannes, I don't know if you have seen this posts.

http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/335704/2

Why would you like to change for wider tyres? the looks, or the expectation to get more grip? Would be interesting to hear about your experiences if you decide for 185 wide tyres.

I went from 165 Conti’s to Sprint Classics 185’s. The wet and dry performance was noticeably better, my old Conti’s were dangerous. If you are moving to 185’s check your rear wheel arch clearance very carefully.

It's for the looks (...anything must be better on the wet than the original Contis)

I've had the Vredestein Sprint classic on my MGB for two years. Pleased with both price and performance.

I changed over from the oe contis to vredstein t-trak 2s in the original dimensions 165/80R15 and have been amazed and delighted by the improvement wet and dry. The sprint classics do have a more traditional looking tread pattern, so you might prefer them on aesthetic grounds, and I believe their performance is perfectly satisfactory - but have never tried them myself.

I paid a visit to my tyre dealer, Janot Pneus, half an hour's drive away, yesterday. I have been a client for 15 years and it was the old proprietor who introduced me to Vredesteins, which I have used on various cars, including my current Honda Civic, with satisfactory results.

Monsieur Janot retired a few years ago and the joint is is now run by his son of and his son's brother-in-law, both in their thirties. They were amazed to see the 4/4, having previously seen this old grey-haired guy only in more everyday cars.

I explained the problem to the brother-in-law, in French, and he replied in English, because he likes to do that. I told him that the Contis were no good. He looked at them, ran his hands over them and protested that they were almost new.

I said, yes, but they are no good. Grip on a dry surface is acceptable, I said, but on a wet road, you go immediately from low grip to no grip.

I said, I am thinking of the T-Trac 2, same size, 165/80 R15.

He looked horrified and began speaking in French. "Mais ce n'est pas bon..."

I asked why not and he led me back inside, to the tyre racks, pulled out a T-Trac 2, not of the same size, but of course the same pattern, and expected me to be horrified.

I asked what was wrong with that. It turned out that he was concerned about the aesthetics. He said it wouldn't look right on the car. He seemed surprised when I started laughing.

I think I shall take it easy through the rest of the winter and switch to T-Trac 2 next Autumn.

Ah fashion victims - do they have a really nice coffee machine there now as well?

Today I replaced the original 165/80 Contis with a set of Vredestein Sprint Classics, dimension 185/70 R15 on my 4/4.
The handling seems to be improved, everything is a little more "stable" than it was with the 165/80 - at least according to my feelings.
(The new tyres do fit the original wire wheels)

Nice tyres and they do look good on a 4/4. Just keep an eye out (and an ear) for any rear inner wing contact at the 2 o’clock(RH side) and 10 o'clock(LH side) forward position during extreme suspension movement, particularly on corners.