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MG MGF Technical - TF160 Tyres - GSD2 or GSD3?

Just had my TF160 serviced by Mike Satur who has mentioned that I have the wrong tyres on the rear of my car - Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3. Apparently, this is the reason the handling on my car is not as it should be. I have also spoken to Goodyear who have given me a technical bulletin from MGR (again saying use GSD2). Before I visit the dealer that fitted them and start arguing (I asked for the same tyres that they took off), has anyone else noticed handling problems with GSD2s fitted at the front and GSD3s at the rear?
Matt

i am running that set up heared all the storys but have had no trouble whatsoever with handleing for info i have 98 v v c running spax adjustable poly bushes at std road height hope this helps
richard

i am running that set up heared all the storys but have had no trouble whatsoever with handleing for info i have 98 v v c running spax adjustable, poly bushes, at std road height with trophy frt spoiler hope this helps
richard

Ah, the old GS-D3 chestnut! You're not alone Matt.

Yes, GS-D3s do appear to cause problems when combined with older, part-worn GS-D2s on the front. The result is often alarming instability.

The GS-D3s themselves are actually perfectly good tyres, but the trick behind using them successfully (as I have) is to replace all 4 tyres at the same time. However, since GS-D3s have not been available in 195/45 R16, it has meant that many have had to resort to using 215/40 R16s all round - not a perfect solution.

See http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/tyres/index.htm for more on this, including the results of the latest BBS tyre survey.

Hope this helps
Rob Bell

Well done Rob
the tyre summary on your site is excellent and provides good advice for everyone who is replacing tyres.

David
David Stonehouse

When I got my 2001 VVC it had 3x GSD2's and one GSD3 on the rear! I nearly lost it one or twice on bends without doing anything too heroic.

I recently read about the bad things about GSD3's on Rob's site, so now I've got 2x GSD2's on the way from an ebay seller here in Germany.

At the moment I've got my boring winter wheels on.

Thanks for the good info Rob.
Chris Heinrich Perkins

Thanks guys - the survey results are always interesting - and largely appear to mirror the independent tyre tests, which is nice :o)

Not sure what tyres I am going to replace the currentt GS-D3s with though. I kind of fancy a set of Toyo R888s... :o)
Rob Bell

Is there any difference in tyre recommendations for TF vs F since the suspension was all changed - no more hydragas etc.

Chris
Chris Rudge

Rob, I was considering a set of R888 to for go on my spare wheels, speaking with Toyo UK they said they are really a 'fair weather only' tyre.
Unfortunately the tyre survey dropped off the main page before I had chance to try out my Dunlop SP9000s and add the info, but I have to say they are just as good, if not better than the F1 GSD2s. The SPs seem to have a lower rolling resistance which does make the steering a feel a bit lighter. I also have 215s on the front and the combination of these and my lowered suspension and leading to some arch liner rubbing on full lock, but I hope to sort that this weekend with the aid of a heat gun ;o)
Steve White

Be my guest to add an entry for the tyre survey Steve - we've not got much coverage from Dunlop...

R888s aren't probably ideal for all year round use - but that's fine if they're only ever trotted out for track days... :o)

Chris, a tyre that works well on the F will work well on the TF and vice versa - altering the suspension design doesn't alter the physics that apply to a low-polar moment vehicle with a rear-biased weight balance :o)
Rob Bell

Rob,
I have had a look at your Tyre section on your excellent website and was wondering, if i had a set of 16" alloys what would be the best set up for them, can you have 195/45 on the front and 205/40 on the rear ?

If you did this would the car be higher at the front to the rear of the car as you have a tyre thickness of 45mm and the front and 40mm at the rear ?

Cheers Lance
Lance

Lance,
Standard size tyres on the trophy are 195/45/16 on the front and 215/40/16 on the rear.
Is this any help?
Mark.
ninja

Lance,

You can use the profiles you mention - and ride height will be little different from standard as the alteration in the radius of the wheel&tyre is going to be within a few mm of the standard profiles.

The difficulty you may have using 205/40s on the rear is speedo calibration - the circumference of this tyre will be smaller than a standard wheel/tyre combination, and the speedo will over-read your actual speed. A check of the manufacturer's rolling radius/diameter dimensions will determine how much of an issue this is...

Hope this helps
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 02/03/2006 and 05/03/2006

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