Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 185/70 for a 2014 4/4

I made up a calculator that allows you to compare the effect of changing tyre sizes, gearbox ratios and/or diff ratios on speed. Also allows a simple comparison between tyre sizes.

It's an Excel spreadsheet, if anyone is interested drop me a pm and I'll send a copy over.

I put Vredestein Classic 185/70’s on my 4/4 back in 2013. They performed well and looked really nice on the skinny 4/4. My only snag was that the rears would very slightly rub the inside of the wings on full bump travel, particularly on corners. However after fitting adjustable spring assisters to control the bump and a panhard rod for lateral control it wasn’t a problem and even went on to fit a second set.

Smart!

Here is one I posted to gomog years ago. My favorite, tho I also posted others. https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=215-55r17-215-50r17

It compares any two tyres and gives you a visual, form the front and side.

gmg

Since I have to classify it as a risk whether the 185 tires have enough space on my 4/4 or not...and because I haven't found anyone in Cologne who can certify my speedometer for the MOT, I ordered the tried and tested 165/80 T-Trac 2 again. Of course I can adapt the Morgan speedometer myself to the smaller tyre circumference of a 185/65, but it has to be officially certified. You can change a few things on your car that are not quite legal but are not immediately noticeable. For example, my exhaust manifold with metal cat, which is further away from the engine exhaust than the standard cat. But the fun stops with the tires. In the event of an accident, the tires are always the first thing the police and insurance companies look at, which must be absolutely correct. No MOT without certification of the speedometer, so no go. I could have had it done if I really wanted to, e.g. in Stuttgart for €300. But that's too much effort for me. Now I'm looking forward to new T-Trac 2, my third set for this car with 120,000 km in 10 years. Many thanks for all the replies.

'If it isn't broken, why fix it?'

There's a lot to be said for sticking with what's tried and tested Heinz

I also suspect the 165 section T-Trac gives excellent steering feel and the 80 profile will deliver superior ride quality too. Actually I looked at fitting the The Vredestein 165/80 T-Tracs to Monty as I'm a big fan of skinny tyres, especially on a small light car with unassisted steering like a Trad Morgan.



But had to look elsewhere as 185 was the smallest section tyre suitable for Monty's 6" rims as shown above.

I've been extremely happy with my Continental EcoContact 6 in 185/65, these replaced the original and 11 year old Yokohama C-Drive 2s in 195/60 that Monty came with that understandably had gone hard as wood. I went down in section from 195 to 185 but up in profile from 60 to 65, as this is an aspect ratio the change in the true rolling radius was tiny.

The original Yokos being 615mm with the Contis coming in at 621.5mm, a difference of just 6.5mm which ensured my speedo remained accurate.

The Vredestein T-Trac 2 has a modern tread pattern, so I'd put money on it shedding water better than any of the 'Classic' tyres that it also has to be said are extremely expensive to buy! Why pay more for a tyre that's potentially less safe in the wet, and when you have the option of the more modern tread pattern Vredestein T-Trac 2 in a Morgan ride quality friendly 80 profile that will also fill the arches nicely for period correct aesthetics?

I believe the Sigma engine 4/4 runs rims that are 5" or possibly 5.5” at the most, this means you probably shouldn't be fitting a 185 tyre anyway. A 165 section tyre is surely safer on your narrow rims so to my mind the Vredestein 165/80 T-Trac is the perfect tyre for your lovely narrow body Morgan Heinz, stick with what you know and what you know works

Thank you for your kind reply, Montegue. The 4/4 has 5 inch rims and therefore 185 tires would be the maximum allowed. But the other specifications, especially a) the different width of the tire at the end depending on the manufacturer/type and b) the differences in Morgan manufacturing are the reason why I don't take the risk. Morgan had 185/70/15 tires on the 2.0 4/4 anniversary, but the Avons are known to be the narrowest 185s on the market. I could even imagine that at the time the 2.0 4/4 was very carefully checked to make sure everything fit, as DaveW describes that there must be enough air between the upper spring mounts and the tyre. In the case of your Plus 4, it was a very good decision on your part, because you have even more air with your 185/65 in the width than before with the 195/60s. As you say, Montegue, I am very satisfied and happy with my T-Trac 2 and am looking forward to the new season.

For people insisting on a 'Classic' tyre but not wanting to pay silly money for them, there's always the Dimax Classic from Radar Tyres.



https://radar-reifen.de/en/patterns/dimax-classic/

The Radar Dimax Classic is available in 175/70 R15 86H which I suspect would be ideal for a 4/4.

https://www.northhantstyres.com/dimax-classic-tyres-sale/175-70-15-dimax-classic-blackwall.php

And for Plus 4 owners on wider rims they offer a 185/70 R15 89W TL which can be had for just £64 each.

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s2806p219295/Radar_Tyres_Car_Radar_Dimax_Classic_185_70_R15_89W_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_XC_Wet_Grip%3A_XC_NoiseClass%3A_XC_Noise%3A_XC

Or even a 205/70 R15 96V TL for just £60 a tyre which I suspect will just fit my 6" rims?

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b5372s2481p160239/Radar_Tyres_Car_Radar_Dimax_Classic_205_70_R15_96V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_XC_Wet_Grip%3A_XC_NoiseClass%3A_XC_Noise%3A_XC

I have no experience of Radar tyres so I can't say if they're any good, all I've been able to find out about them is they are designed and manufactured in Singapore by Omni United.

https://www.omni-united.com/

As with all 'Classic' tyres you are walking away from decades of tread development, saying that if people must have a 'Classic' tyre the Dimax Classic from Radar Tyres is very well priced and especially when compared with all the other so called 'Classic' tyres which are ridiculously expensive for what they are if you ask me.

Haven't seen this size before & remarkably cheap. Too good to be true methinks. Has any one had any experience with the make?

NanKang

Pretty sure they advertise on the back cover of "Miscellany"

CAVEAT EMPTOR !

Bought some for another Classic on the fleet last year, FFS they weren't even circular !, took me ages and loads of hassle (inc video evidence) to get the distributor to accept them back, personally I wouldn't put one of their tyres on my wheelbarrow !