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MG MGF Technical - Help - tire confusion

I've searched the archives for info on tires for my MGF. Seems to be a great deal of favour for the Bridgestone S-02. However, I've phoned around and have been told that the 'Continentals' are the only way to go, and that they are the ones recommended now.

Help! I've only seen one review about the continentals, and it wasn't great. What do i do??

also, do i have to replace the rear tires if i am replacing the front with a different brand?

thanks,
Catherine
C Stewart

the tyre co's will tell you what suits them (usually in terms of availability and profit margin), and they will not expect a female to be sufficiently technical or knowledgable to challenge them (but you knew that). Your choice will hinge around exact year and model of F/TF and which wheels you have as not all tyres are available in all sizes. However Bridgestone SO2s and RE720s, along with Goodyear Eagle F1 and Toyo Proxies all seem to give good grip and value for money.
David S

At the moment (well, actually as of last week) MG were fitting Continentals as OEM to 15" wheeled TFs. This will lead tyre retailers along that route initially. If you ask them what they recommend it will start by toeing the party line. We are all partly to blame by spending so much time flying off the road backwards in our cars and then blaming the tyres.

16" TFs currently OE on GY F1.

I have had good results from 15" TOYOs on an F and have had no bad moments with 15" Contis on my TF.
JohnP

Catherine, Try the archive listing lots of info about tyres. The Bridgstone S02 were the best but have now been replaced. I use Toyo Proxies T1S and think they are great, they are a soft tyre and wear quite fast but offer great grip on the road and track.
Andrew Regens

Hi Catherine,

You're right, I was one of those people who felt that the S-02 was the best rubber since the pneumatic tyre, but for 15" rims, they're now long since obsolete. S-03s have replaced them and they are also excellent, although regarded by many to be something of a disappointment compared to the expectation set by this tyre's predicessor. But they are certainly worth considering.

Other tyres worth looking at are Goodyear F1 GS-D3s (you'll have to check tyre size availability), Toyo T1S proxes and Bridgestone RE720s.

Another alternative are Pirelli - P7000s are rated well by BBS users.

All these tyres are superior to the standard fit tyres specified by MG - including the Continentals.

HTH
Rob Bell

Catherine,

You didn't say if you have 15" or 16" wheels. If you do have 16" then Bridgestone SO2s are still available although only in 205 and up sizes. I run 205 SO2s all round on my '98 F and have always been mightily impressed by their wet and dry performance. They aren't cheap - probably £100 per corner is the best price you'll get, but well worth it.

About the front and rear question - the BBS perceived wisdom is to use the same brand tyres all round if you can. Some people have reported handling problems from mixing brands. Obviously, if the rears have plenty of life, then changing them along with the fronts is an expensive proposition. What brand are on the rear? How much life is left?
Dave Livingstone

goodyear f1 are the best in the wet & hold there own in the dry.
don't compromise with safty.
make sure you knock the dealers down.
r.f.j. griffiths

Personally I have found the Michelin Exalto 2 tyres to be great all round. My MGF always handled well in the dry, but like a bag of sh*te in the wet, however the Michelins have sorted that.
Gary Wright

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the input.

in answer to questions...

It's a '96 VVC with 15 inch wheels.

the back tyres seem ok. but they are some brand i've never heard of (Khomo or something).

I'm even more confused now... the one type of tyre that no one has rated anywhere is the Continental that is recommended (aside from the info on this thread). That doesn't exactly inspire me to buy them.

However, i don't just want a high performance tyre that i have to replace quickly. so, a happy medium would be the best...
would that be the Good Year or the Toyo?

And about the Michelins - i'm interested in those (my step father used to rebuild sports cars and antiques and he highly recommends Michelins) are they expensive?


C Stewart

<<and have had no bad moments with 15" Contis on my TF.>>
JohnP

sorry - didn't mean to dismiss your comment John! it's just that your's is the only rating so far.

however, i have just spoken with a colleague who put continentals on their porshe and was very happy with them. so i guess i just have to search around a bit more for information on them!
C Stewart

MG claim that the TF suspension has been 'tuned' around the Contis; may or not be true but I've been happy so far. I will however switch to TOYOs within a month and expect to be even happier.

I have seen adverse reports on the Contis from non F or TF owners - like most tyres, personal choice, type or car, type of driving.

I have no experience of Contis on an F but have used NCT3, GY F1, TOYO T1-S. I found the F1 and the T1-S both suited my driving style equally.
JohnP

I've got Michelin Pilot HX on the rear and GY F1s on the front. This car does not what understeer is and will have all F1s in the very very near future.
BUT the Michelins do wear well and if they were fitted all round they would be fine for touring around.
Ken Waring

I'm a great fan of Toyos on my F and think they are good value for money. However, I've got Continental Sport Contact 2s on my ZR and I think that at best they are ok in the dry. I would rate them a lot worse in the wet than the Goodyear NCT3s that I used to have on my F and they were pretty poor. Like John Ponting I will be changing to Toyos for the ZR as well when the time comes.
David Clelland

Catherine,

I have had Goodyear Eagles on a 320 and 316 BMW. Continental Sport Contacts on a 520 BMW. My brother has Continentals on his 2000 Mpi F and I have Avon ZV3's on my 1999 Mpi F. The Avons have worked well for me both in wet and dry. My brother has had his car about a month so can't really comment about the Contis. Howebver the tread pattern on the Contis and the Avons is very veru similar. I get around 12000 - 13000 miles out of the Avons on the back wheels and the cost to shoe the whole car is about £300. Bear in mind that you will replace two sets of rear tyres for every set of front ones. More or less. Being an "old Biker" I never, never compromise on rubber. But what ever tyres you fit the F needs the tyres to be bedded in and this takes about 300-500 miles depending on which tyre you choose. Also even when bedded in the tyres only function well when optimum temperature is reached. It is a little racing car for the road after all. Even the Formula 1 drivers heat up their tyres.
Nkosi_Ecosse

This thread was discussed between 11/04/2005 and 15/04/2005

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