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MG MG Y Type - YA/T tires revisted

Following the YA-tyre-thread I decided to buy two Dunlop C18 in the size 5.00/5.25x16 and not withstanding the following I am very pleased I finally have four good tyres on Y5888.

I bought the Dunlops because they are the highest available tyres (709mm diameter) in that size (which is strange as any tyre in a given size should have the same dimensions, regardless of the make?) and a higher tyre means lower revs at the same speed.

Instead of the Dunlop, Vintage tyres from Beaulieu (http://www.vintagetyres.com) advised the Avon 5.00/5.25x16 "Tourist" (678mm diameter). They say it is better suited for the YA/T because it is more supple, giving better ride etc.

Now that I have fitted the stiff bastards that those Dunlops are, I'm afraid I have to agree with Vintage Tyres. Although I don't know how supple the Avons are I readily believe they will be more comfortable and easier to fit than the Dunlops. Above that I'm slightly disappointed about the "modern" (60's?)lettering on the C18.

So there it is: always listen to the experts and if you do want "bigger" tyres, you might be better off with the 5.50x16 Avon (691mm diameter)

It's interesting to compare the tyres on the Vintage Tyres-website:

Dunlop C18 5.00/5.25x16:
http://www.vintagetyres.com/vts/display.asp?K=20060301_000248&sf1=manufacturer&st1=dunlop&sp1=and+not&sf2=type&st2=racing&sort=sortrank&ds=Dunlop&m=31&dc=76

Avon Tourist 5.00/5.25x16:
http://www.vintagetyres.com/vts/display.asp?K=20060301_000246&sf1=manufacturer&st1=avon&sort=sortrank&ds=Avon&m=22&dc=48

Avon Tourist 5.50x16:
http://www.vintagetyres.com/vts/display.asp?K=20060301_000249&sf1=manufacturer&st1=avon&sort=sortrank&ds=Avon&m=23&dc=48

Willem van der Veer

Willem - Sorry to hear of your disappointment. It's interesting to see how much bigger the Dunlops are: 709mm vs 678mm, which with a quick stab at the calculator improves your gearing by 4.8%. But I would endorse Vintage Tyres' opinion: I've had 5.25x16 Avons on my car since recommissioning it, and they have been comfortable, run quietly, give sharp (well, by Y standards) handling and steering, and wear very slowly: after 16000m/25000km they are less than half worn.

Are there any other major brands of cross-ply out there, or is it down to Dunlop and Avon?
Tim Griggs

Hi Willem,

As you will know, we have always recommended Vintage Tyres of Beaulieu on the website. Small comfort I guess until your current set wear out I know.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Wouldn't the Avon 5.50's be too wide?

Cheers,
Saul.
Saul

Saul,
At 150mm the 5.50 Avon will be wider, but the Dunlop is 146mm wide, and the 5.25 Avon is 144mm. Not too wide I'd say.

On YB's and TD's a lot of 165mm wide 165/80R15 tyres are used, to replace the original 5.50x15; they don't look too wide, do they?

Tim,
Firestone does a 5.00/5.25x16 too, but it is a whitewall tyre, even more expensive as the Dunlop or Avon and with 673mm diameter/134mm width even smaller than the Avon.
http://www.vintagetyres.com/vts/display.asp?K=20060301_000247&sf_01=keyword&sort=size%2Cmanufacturer&fuzzy=3&st_01=500%2F525%2F16&m=3&dc=4
Willem van der Veer

I am running (well the car is anyway) on Avon Tourist 5.5s - Ab-Fab is all I can say. Quality of the ride is very good as is road holding - it has to be when you bear in mind I generally drive at about 55+ mph on the highways once out of town here (which is most of the time given the small size of Montesano).

Paul
Paul Barrow

To answer Tim's query, there are two other manufacturers who make tyres for our cars. They are B.F.Goodrich (expensive at almost £100 each) and Excelsior (Cheaper at about £55).

Both these makes are available from North Hants Tyres who are based in Aldershot. Their website is www.northhantstyres.com

Jack
J.L. Murray

Correction Saul - well spotted 5.25 16s!

Paul
Paul Barrow

A larger Diameter tyre does not Necessarily mean it will affect your speedo or gearing.
The flat bit at the bottom of the tyre (when loaded by the car weight) will need to be taken into account, if you go into the Dunloptyres.co.uk web site and search for the classic/vintage tyre section, you will find values for - Loaded static radius - Rolling circumference - Revolutions per mile. this is the information needed to see what the differences are between the tyres.
The overal diameter of a tyre is only needed to see if theres clearance in the wheel arch and in the spare wheel locker.

I am very happy with the Dunlops on my 'YA' but I did ensure that they were balanced correctly
Steve Randle

For me there is no better choice in tyres than radials. So I am more than happy with my radials Michelin 165x400 on wheels of other make and fitted to the YA with adapterdiscs. This tyres have the same dia as the Dunlops.
Bert Keuren

This thread was discussed between 02/03/2006 and 06/03/2006

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