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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461 |
I have a background in the tyre industry although not specifically with car tyres.
I have been intrigued why some people like the Conti's and some, me included, hate them. So I spoke with their technical department about the tyre construction and compound etc.
Whilst they obviously would not give away any of their proprietary information, they did tell me that the tyre originally went into production in 1994 and was unchanged until 2018.
Then it underwent a major redesign of both the carcass and the compound to bring it up to "modern standards"
The redesign went into production in the back end of 2018.
The new design had a slight improvement in rolling resistance from F to E but crucially, a big improvement in wet grip from E to B. Tyre noise stayed the same.
So, It might well be worth giving the Conti's another chance.
Hope this helps.
That's very interesting. The new improved Conti is probably still not the best choice for the 4/4 but the upgrade from E to B in wet grip must at least make it worth considering.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122 |
Heinz, we may as well forget the T-Trac2 in the current time frame?
Here in the UK, those of asking the question are unable to buy them at the moment, when and if they become available is another quesyion? Certainly not one that Vredstein seem to be able to answer?
As I have found online reviews are spurious at best, especially when we didin't know a tyre had been updated until IvorMog was good enough to inform us.
Based on reviews, the T-Trac does appear to be the one to have, even for those fortunate to have them fitted, they are unlikely to last forever. clubsport, yes, I agree with your thoughts about tyre wear. The T-Trac 2 has a seeable Tyre wear, not so much like a semi slick of course but you notice it at the rear wheels after 8.000 sporty driven km that it starts to wear where the CT22 looked after 20.000 km like new (without any grip). My first set of T-Trac 2 kept ca. 30.000 km. In one year I have to look around but I am confident that we find something. Also worth to look at Beetle and Porsche Forums (912) because this guys also always are trying out some brands and they use the same dimensions 165/80/15.
'14 4/4 graphite grey
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 123 Likes: 6
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L - Learner Plates On
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Heinz, what year were your CT22 that showed no wear, pre or post 2018?
On the basis, we can't go back in time only really relevant if post 2018 variant surely?
I have 25+ years of lightweight 911 experience, I am very particular about tyres on these cars, I'm not sure 356/912 handling characteristics translate to Morgans?
From what I have seen, most 165 80-15 on concours Pork seem to be Pirelli CN36?
Last edited by clubsport; 18/03/21 04:20 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2019
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Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,586 Likes: 603 |
If it's grip over some airy-fairy 'eco' rating that's important, then what do the 4/4 Hillclimbers, Sprinters and Racers use? .....
K
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Joined: Aug 2008
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L - Learner Plates On
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If it's grip over some airy-fairy 'eco' rating that's important, then what do the 4/4 Hillclimbers, Sprinters and Racers use? .....
K I can't for a moment expect them to use 165-80-15 tyres? Most competition Morgan I have seen have at most a 60 profile tyre, On a competition tyre, you tend to have less tread or semi slick and a much stiffer sidewall. Neither of those qualities with the Morgan suspension is what I would look for on a UK B road, especially if it rains! I think the classic 4/4 was designed for higher profile tyres.
Last edited by clubsport; 18/03/21 04:33 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122 |
clubsport, my CT22 came with the 2014 MY car. I have no experiences with the post 2018 variant.
This Pirelli CN36 seem to be very expensive when looking at the net... I have only one 912 restauration project car which never drove until now. so I have no experiences. My Porsche 911 experience are 1973, 1975 an 80s cars, the 70s with 195/65/15 tyres, but that is another subject.
'14 4/4 graphite grey
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,586 Likes: 603
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Oct 2019
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Just had a look on mine (tyres currently just round things I wheel the rolling chassis round the workshop on) ..... previous owner had Hankook Optimo tyres on it ..... He ran hillclimbs enthusiasticaly and drove it to and from meetings .... seen it being doorhandled up the track a few times and it didn't seem lacking in grip .... seem to be available at about £45 ish a tyre.
Have no personal experience of running these as the car is still under resto ... watching this thread with interest as I will be renewing the old tyres when it gets to be roadworthy
K
Slightly disappointed as was intending to go for the Vredsteins T2 myself
Last edited by Image; 18/03/21 04:42 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122 |
Very strange that there are different ratings for the same tyre.For example, the energy rating on the Nankang in the "clubsport" link shows up twice, once as a "C" and once as an "E" in the fuel economy rating (the worse the energy rating, the better the tyre should grip with the same tread) The post 2018 CT22 has a poor energy rating, but I think that is because it has an all season farm tyre tread.
Changes are taking place, I don't know how far UK is affected... but EU has imposed new regulations. Semi slicks are soon to be banned altogether. And the high performance tyres are also undergoing changes. For example, I ride Yokohama AD08R on my Elise. A really great tyre, which was also mounted on the Morgan BMW Plus8 for a long time. Now there is a successor: AD08RS. The tyre looks exactly the same. But all the forums report that this tyre is undriveable and does not build up any grip. They even warn against this tyre. The tyre compound has been changed in favour of saving fuel. This will also be the case with the narrow 165/80/15.
'14 4/4 graphite grey
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 134 Likes: 8
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L - Learner Plates On
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Bob, very useful information. Many thanks.
Tony
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