Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) New Tyres Day

I've know for years that tyres are an integral component in the suspension system on Trad Morgans. So I don't know why it took me so long to diagnose the crashing ride, vague steering and generally noisy drive as having something to do with my ageing tyres. Anyway, I finally got around to taking the wheels down to my local tyre garage and getting a set of Michelin Cross Climate 2s fitted. Went out on them for the first time this morning for a 50 mile round trip to Woodbridge and back on icy, damp, slippery roads. What a revelation! I know it's early days but the ride has been transformed. They are an all-season tyre and I was very impressed with the level of grip around the damp roundabouts surrounding Woodbridge (after taking it very easy for the first 20 or so miles!). The steering has now lost its vagueness, feeling somehow lighter but more positive. Much more comfortable now and far less noisy everywhere. So, early days but I'm very impressed so far.

Very nice and I think a wise decision. For my 1990 4/4 I am stuck to 155/80 X 15 Tyres, so was glad I found the Michelin XZX tires, no cross-climates. As I just bought them before the Ukrainien war, I noticed they were produced in Siberia...! Wonder if and how they moved their production site...!?

Yes I'm a fan too! My first experience with the all season Michelin's was when I had the first of my BMW's with run flats... what a pile of crap!
Anything below 7'c and it was like driving on marbles so as it was starting to become winter I fitted a set on some second hand rims from the bay. Gadzooks! what a difference, it was like a totally different car and we now fit them on all our cars when we change them, sometimes sooner than required! And they generally wear better than standard summer tyres too, yes I know the doubters won't believe me but I now have long term experience of these tyres and you really can't beat them. The grip is phenomenal, like slicks on a dry track but even in the wet they perform like the roads are dry and when the snow comes, well I found them to perform as well as full winter tyres!

I love Michelin Cross Climate; had them fitted on my Merc C Class and it improved the ride, reduced the noise, and much better in poor weather than the OEM fitted tyres. I now have them on my Volvo. I don't think I will put them on the Mog because I'm very happy with the Continental Sport Contact 7's that are on there and I don't intend to take the Mog out in cold weather. But that could change in time.

We've had the Cross Climate 2's on the tintop for a couple of years now, a little noisier in the dry than 'normals' but this last week or so of snow they've proved their worth, so much so that Mrs Cooperlady had an urgent family thing to sort today and being out on her own in hilly routes for 40 odd miles didn't worry me

The Continental Sort Contact 7s were what I was originally going for on a recommendation from RichardV6 but they are not available in the sizes I needed. The tyre shop recommended the Michelins as an equal alternative.

Hi all, this has been an interesting read.

I am also in need of 5 new tyres for our trip to Morocco in April as we will be driving from UK in our Plus 4 Narrow Body. https://www.toubkalchallenge.com

Being a narrow car the tyre size is 185/70 VR15" (V Rated) and this is not a size that offers much choice. I also don't want to pay an absolute fortune. The most interesting option I am considering is the Blockley https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/185-70vr15 which is reasonable and looks good, but does anyone in our community have any experience? Obviously I will need inner tubes as well because of the wire wheels.

All any any thoughts greatly appreciated and if anyone would like to support our charity fundraising by making a donation then please let me know. Alternatively, we are having a charity dinner at The Brooklands Hotel on 15th March 2025 and there are a few tickets still available at https://www.justadrop.org/Event/toubkal-challenge-dinner

Thanks in advance, David

Don't think you will need tubes as your wires look to be the modern tubeless variant. The inside of the wire spokes are sealed with a ruberised substance. What is the year of your car and does it have the 2.0 ltr engine? If so you might find there are more tyre options than you had thought.

Hi Sewin,

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, 2.0 Duratec engine. Registered in 2015 but I think it must be an earlier built car, possibly 2013. The wheel size is 185/70 R15. Why do you think the earlier build year might offer more tyre options?

That would be excellent if no tubes required - will check when the wheels are removed. Thank you for the heads up.

David

It's hard to be specific, but tubeless wires have been around well before 2013. The Plus 4 started up production again in 2004 and I would expect those wires to be tubeless.