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MG MGF Technical - MGF Tyres - Warning

I have just replaced the rear tyres on my 2001 MGF. I fitted Avon RV1 205/50/15 (£70 each) - A big mistake. Due to lack of research on my part and the inability to source an alternative quickly, I went for these tyres.

The car is now very unstable at speeds in excess of 60mph, just smoothly changing lanes on the motorway results in the rear end swaying around. Accelerate through a gentle bend from 30-50mph requires corrective action to get the car back in a straight line. The same bend on the original NCT-3 was no problem at all.

I would like to think it's just the tyres bedding in but the car is actually dangerous to drive so I've decided to ditch the tyres after less than 500 miles.

I can't get Goodyear NCT-3 anymore, Rover's recommended tyres, so I've been advised to put NCT-5 on.

Any other recommendations/comments?

Thanks.

JonM

Where did you get the Avons from?

I've always had good service from Cambridge Performance Tyres/Cambridge Discount Tyres, so you might try there instead.
Will Munns

Toyos come highly recommended.

I have Kumho Excsta 612's which I've found to be excellent and very reasonable at about £50 per tyre
Bob Millar

Oh and don't just throw the tyres away, take the car to an airfield day and scrub them down a bit 8-)
Will Munns

Where did do you get the Avons from?
Local garage sourced them locally (St Neots) for me when the car went for a service.

I'll pay a visit to Cambridge Performance Tyres....
JonM

Have you had your alignment checked? I had similar behaviour from my car with F1's all round when I first got it. Very unstable around very shallow bends. Turned out to be the rear tracking. Once that was adjusted, it stuck to the road like glue.

Don't know about the avons.

Chris
Chris George

John

Its not the new tyres themselves necessarily that are causing the car to be dangerous, its that you have mixed the tyres front to back. Its not a good idea on any car really, but MGFs are exceptionally sensative to things like tyres and geo set up.

Thats not to say the Avons are any good, i wouldn't touch them with yours, but then i wouldn't touch NCT3s or 5s either.

I haven't had an F for a few years now, but when i changed from NCT3s to S02s (no longer available i am afraid) the difference was amazing, and really showed how comparitivly poor the standard tyres were.

If you are just using the car on road would recomend the new model Goodyear F1 tyres. They are an excellent tyre, very very good in wet and dry (just not good on track)

I would also up the front size a small amount. i can't remember what is standard now, is it 185 at the front, if it is then i changed mine to 195 at the front and kept the rears standard size.

Then a change to decent geo settings and the car really is truelly tranformed. I can't stress enough how big a difference proper perfomance tyres and decent geo set up made to the car. the tyres might be £20 a corner more expensive, but so so worth it. the turn in becomes pin shard the grip in all conditions is huge. i still haven't driven a car that gives me more confidence on the road
Matt

I agree about the F1's. Very good tyres. I'm in the process of downsizing my fronts from 215/40 R16s to 195/45 R16's, leaving the rears as 215's.

For good prices, go to www.mytyres.co.uk.


Chris George

Why is the F so sensitive to tyres ?

I use Yokohama's which are as soft as putty but as you would expect stick like glue.
S Laithwaite

TOYO TS-1s have been excellent since I put them on. I had the normal NCT3 problems when I first got the car, changed to F1 DS-2, listened to the talk about avoiding F1 DS-3 and went for TOYO.
JohnP

No problems with F1 GSD3's. Had them on the rear for a while now, with D2's on the front.
Chris George

>> Why is the F so sensitive to tyres ? <<

Mid-engined design, therefore low low polar moment of inertia. Weight distribution of 40:60 front to rear. Suspension design/ kinematics. All these factors have in impact upon how a car uses its tyres - and why you should always take a recommendation for a particular type of tyre based on the performance on one particular vehicle with a healthy pinch of salt when attempting to transfer that experience to the MG. ..

Jon, the only tyre in the Avon range that does have a reasonable rep in MG circles is the ZV's big brother: the ZZ-1.
Plus I'd emphasise Matt's comments: try to NEVER mix tyres on MGs. If you'd had ZVs all round, your experience *may* have been a happier one.

The best tyre options for the MGF are:
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D2 or GS-D3
Toyo Proxes T-1
Bridgestone RE720/ S-03

Fit any of the above, and you'll be a very happy bunny - promise ;o)
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed on 15/04/2004

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