Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Plus 4 Tyre options

Has anyone gone up to 205/60 R15s on a plus 4 (mine is 2009 duratec) - slightly more sidewall and better grip (but less steering 'feel'?)

My Plus 4 Sport was fitted with 205/65r15 from new, excellent ground clearance and corners very flat with a very compliant ride

And greater rolling resistance so poorer fuel consumption!
If you want to just increase ride height a little, may be better to stick with 195s but go to 65 profile, as others on here have done successfully.
Whatever you do of course will have an effect on the speedo and mileometer.

I'm with the 195's and 65 profile tyres gave me better ground clearance and the drive is exactly the same as the 60 profile but the comfort level was incredible. It also has the bonus of being in the VW polo tyre bracket and a year ago I fitted 5 Bridgestone Turanza tyres for under £350. Mine is a 2009 car too and I'm happy with the performance I can't say whether or not the rolling resistance would effect my( your) car at 205's, John really likes the way his car drives in all ways but the sport has more power so who knows without comparing side by side.

Absolutely, even the same spec cars can drive very differently, I certainly find the higher profile tyres make for a more compliant ride, The rolling resistance is also effected by the tyre construction and tread pattern. as indicated by the tyre grading system for fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise. Even the qualities and properties of the same size tyre but from different tyre manufacturers can change the feel and handling performance of the car, even adjusting the tyre pressures can influence the feel and ride of the car No simple or single right answer, but often a case of trial and error

It's a very interesting and important observation you made about cost effectiveness of fitting a common mass produced car tyre size ie 195/65 whereas mine being 205/65 has far less choice in premier tyres as its a tyre size normally associated with vans, to do a entirely different type of work requirement.

So are your tyres extra load rated John because of the van rating or if not, did you find a more compliant tyre wall version. Might be good to now have a post as to tyres people find good on the classic's with an explanation of their driving style and at last start to dispel all the myths and legends with true facts. There are still those who are still adamant that only the best racing tyre's at £200+ a pop will give you the ride you need to those fitting the cheapest Chinese options they can find. Not very good for the person wanting to toodle around the country lanes at 40 mph. After all there are lots of us Morgan owners and we all have differing ideas as to how we use our cars. Those new to the mark and who take it into a dealer will get an astronomical tyre bill whilst being told "you'll need these tyres Sir on the Morgan" and they are trying to work to a budget! Even worse will be when they are told to change them out on time and they still look new!

When my son learnt to drive five years ago we bought him a VW polo and when my tyres have had 3 years on the Mog they are going on his car and I'll have a new set on the plus4 so win win there.

I've had a set of 165 Vredestein Sprint Classics on my 4/4 for 10 years now, flipping excellent tyres. They still provide all the grip I want, they let go under extreme abuse very gracefully and predictably, and they are still nice and black and sticky, no sign of going off - probably because they live in the dark in my garage when the car's not in use.

The only downside is the cost, currently around £160 per tyre. I think next time I'll switch to Vredestein T-Trac2, they have a good reputation among 4/4 owners.

A

No ,the tyres have the lower load rating as per the originals but far less choice available. I'm just cruising around and some motorway work in the Morgan, I'm not into pushing the handling envelope or considering loading the car up for long haul trips. Just day trips and the odd night away, with no luggage rack there's not much room for too many bags or even coats come to that, once you have loaded all the necessary emergency kit, tools and spanners aboard. Mind you we did manage to find room for the Morgan gin, not tried it yet but very unusual colour (for gin) with the added ash, Sue sampled some and liked it; apparently best drunk with a ginger mixer!.

If I want to go quickly, I just jump into Sue's car, the grunt of the diesel leaves the Morgan in the dust. It out handles it, out brakes it and corners on rails by comparison and much faster and an auto, folding roof, heated seats, air conditioning ,heated seat scarf blowing warm air around you neck and good fun. Just doesn't have the same charisma of the Morgan, having said that my left leg would have swopped places with the Morgan for the Merc when inching along for miles having to keep dipping the clutch, in 3 major congestion holdups on the M6 for about an hour plus on Friday coming back.

I would have thought that the wider tyre would have made the steering heavier. I am considering fitting power steering even with the the 195/65 R15.

I had to go from 60 profile up to 65 to get better ground clearance. The standard Plus 4 fitted with 195/60 R15 has the lowest ground clearance of the whole series of trads, often under 9cm. Given that many speed humps are 8 to 9 cm high, and sometimes 10 cm, the 65 profile gives a much needed centimeter more of clearance.

I even investigated the possibilty of converting the car to auto, I am starting to have some leg problems, but it would seem to be a very difficult project. The people who did it for Morgan only did it for the later GDI engine which had a "fly-by-wire" throttle.
It was probably necessary so the the controller for the auto box could adjust the throttle setting when the gear changes are made.

If you guys with painful left knees and Mazda boxes and haven't done it already, its certainly worth considering reaching down and un-clipping the tang on the clutch returns spring. I did mine not long after getting the car. I found the longer journies quite uncomfortable but rarely notice it now. It certainly worked for my knee.