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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - MG ZS 180 KV6 Wheel / tyre size.

What are the correct 'factory' wheel and tyre sizes for the ZS 180 KV6.

The car I have in the workshop at the moment has 7.5" rims with 205/45 17 tyres. I have to say, the car does look under tyred....

Thoughts please.

Mark.
M T Boldry

The tyres on my '54 plate (late 2004) Mk 2 ZS180 were 205.45.17. It was supplied with Conti Sport Contact 2, and those were the tyres I ran with it until it was sold in 2008.

Mike Hall

205/45 17s are correct, both from the workshop manual and what came on my car. What do you mean by 'under tyred'? I wouldn't have thought tread width was an issue, although they are pretty low profile and horribly easy to kerb.
Paul Hunt 2010

Thanks guys....

The car that I had in yesterday had 205 / 45 R 17 tyres streached over 7.5" rims, the tyres looked as though they should have been wider. They were Dunlops fitted but the owner is now looking at 215 / 45 R 17s for track day use here in Aus.

As far as I can make out the std rim width should be 7" ... am I correct in that?

Mark
M T Boldry

A good question. Can't find that in any of my MG Rover documentation, but this site http://www.carbuddy.com.au/buy/car.aspx?car=2005-M-G--ZS-180&adid=108975&pg=1&ad=0&mk=M.G.&sort=99&tid=25628186 (interesting Australian) says 7.5" but someone here http://www.british-cars.org/mg-zr-zs-zt-technical-bbs/zr-tyre-size-2007010809234613596.htm said his were 7", as does http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-ZS-180-17-Multi-Spoke-Alloy-Wheel_W0QQitemZ270554142844QQcategoryZ9888QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BIEW%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D10%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8858947640444365896 and this http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=88308.

Maybe Oz got different wheels.
Paul Hunt 2010

Mk1 ZS180s were fitted with 7J rims (Straights) and Mk2 cars were fitted with 7.5J rims (11 Spokes). The tyre size on both rims were 205/45R17. If your customer wants to fit 215 tyres they should be 215/40r17 in order to maintain the rolling circumference.

Note that 215/40r17 tyres are at the limit for 7J rims. This combination should not be used for a car that will be used at the limit of cornering, as you will risk rolling the tyres off the rim.
Ralph Gadsby

I did wonder if that was the difference, I have a Mk2 and whilst it isn't easy to measure the rim with the tyre on externally it did look as if mine could be 7.5". I have thought myself that the rims look wider than the tyre, a straight-edge laid across the wheel is resting on the rim even though there is a rib of a few mm on the tyre wall. No wonder they kerb so easily
Paul Hunt 2010

Thanks guys, fantastic feedback....!

I'll pass this onto my client / friend.

Mark.
M T Boldry

This thread was discussed between 29/03/2010 and 31/03/2010

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