MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Tyres for 97 MGF

Sorry for posting the same question, but I am not sure if the advice already posted is the same for all versions of the F.
I need a set of 4 for my 97 MGF and my tyre dealer is telling me that the NCT3 is discontinued, whilst my MG dealer is telling me to stick with NCT3's.
The tyre dealer suggested Eagle F1 and I am tempted since I found the NCT3 to be a bit slippery in the wet.
I would be grateful for your views or any info that would help with the decision.
Chris Hall

I just looked on the Goodyear web site and noted that they don't have a 185/55 in the NCT3 or F1 range. That might mean that I have just answered my original question and need to consider other types,
Chris Hall

You can use 195/50/15 on the front (or 205/50/15)

Toyo Proxes T1-S are suppossed to be good and are relatively cheap

Bridgestone RE720 sound OK but cost a bit more

Falekn ZE512 are said to rival the Toyo's but are cheaper

Avon AVS sport look great and are expensive.

As you can tell I'm looking for tyres too and can't make up my mind!! (Like the look of the Toyo's).

Does anyone know of a cheap supplier of tyres??
Cee22Bee

I have fitted 205/50x15 Toyo Proxes T1-R all round. They do a great job compared to the NCT Goodyear and over here they were the same price as the Goodyear NCT's. On a track day they grip much better plus in wet weather they inspire confidance.
Andrew Regens

Thanks to both of you, that has given me some more food for thought.
The Toyo Proxes are begining to sound good, but what is the difference between T1-S and T1-R? Also, I am going to show my ignorance here,what does 185 195 205 mean? What difference does this value make to the way the tyre fits on to the rim?
Chris Hall

Toyo also make another perfomance tyre sold as "TPG" which are a silica compound tyre. I have just replaced the NCT3's on my 97MGF and the difference is remarkable. As for sizes, the numbers you quoted are the relative tyre widths in mm. This width coupled with the aspect ration of the tyre defines its rolling radius and relative "size". Originally MGR fitted different "size" tyres to front and rear 185/55 front and 205/50 rear. What this does is limit the ability to swap wheels from front to rear to even out tyre wear, noting that MGF's usually wear out rears much faster than fronts. As the wheels are all the same size and there is enough clearance under the front wings there is no problem with fitting 205/50's all round. I have done this and there is no noticeable difference in ride or steering although the sharper handling is probably a function of the TPG's and not the size.
Phil Stafford

The T1-R replaced the T1-S, Silica compound, longer life and not as noisey. This is from Toyo's website.
Andrew Regens

Chris, some other tyre choices here: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/tyres/index.htm
Rob Bell

I put 205/50/15 T1-R on the back of mine recently and they are most unhappy running with the F1/GSD3 on the front. The F1/GSD2 that they replaced took a long time to run in (and were then great) but these have had 2k miles and still feel very nervous.

Some tyre mixing seems to work and some works eventually. If you changing all four then hopefully you will be OK.
Peter Ambrose

Toyo R888's
the best tune up you'll ever do!
;¬)

Neil

Have you got the R888s yet Neil? I'm really interested to hear how folks have got on with these so far! :o)
Rob Bell

hi chris i have a mgf and i have bought some conties premium contact excellent driving thats what my mg dealer said as good year are no longer 185s fronts 205s backs
darren jeffery

Well, Mine is a 135 Tf, but once the tyres have been used for more than 2 K kilometers, they are well, inspiring more confidence even in wet than in dry use.
Not having used ever Toyo or Goodyear, I'm not dissapointed now (at first yes) with the Continental Premim contact, and they are in both 15/185/55 and 15/205/50.
Spinder00

seriously thinking about it but the Toyos Proxes aren't worn out completely yet!

It's amazing the range and variety of tyres !

R888's on offer at blackcircles.com
205/50 R15 Z for £90.97
195/55 R15 V for £79.48
couldnt see the correct sizes

whereas ordinary tyres start at about £35 from mytyres.co.uk which I have used many times.
They'll probably last twice as long too.

either way I think you would have to fit poly bushes prior to fitting these to get the best out of them.


Neil

Darren - glad to hear that the the continentals are good. I've also been told that my Goodyear Eagle NCTs are discontinued and have gone for continentals, only got one at the moment but I'll change the otehr front one when I save some more cash.
Emma Jackman

Emma

I've done 6000 miles on a full set of Contis (on a TF135 with 15") and so far have nothing but good to say. I hope to live beyond Xmas and drive accordingly but my wife says I drive too fast so I do use the tyres.

I previously had F1 and T1-S tyres on a previuos F, also without drama.
JohnP

Thanks to everyone for your input.
After pushing my MGR dealer for an answer to the NCT3 issue, he also came up with the answer of Continentals as an alternative.

Thanks to Phil for clearing up the numbers thing for me.

Andrew: You fitted 205/50x15 Toyo Proxes T1-R all round. Is that on an old model with normally smaller fronts?

Chris Hall

Chris,
Yes it is a 98 VVC.
The NCT's were 185 front 205 rear. When I went 205's all round I also had toe in set at +0o5' front and rear.
Andrew
Andrew Regens

Thanks for the info Andrew, and thanks again to all for your help.
I feel much better armed to make a decision on Monday.

Regards
Chris
Chris Hall

Just to add...

It's worth every penny investing in decent tyres.
Why go for average when you can get better?

I have used 205s all round. It was ok, curing the understeer, but have found that 195s at the front and 205s at the rear suit me best.

I hate NCT3s with a passion. Slippy and dangerous in the wet.

I have used a number of tyres including Yoko 509s, Yoko 520s, Bridgestone S02s and currently run Bridgestone S03s. The Yokos were great in the dry, but not brilliant in the wet (still far better than NCT3s!!!). The S02s were best being great in all conditions... but they don't make them any more. :-(
I hear that Bridgestone RE720s are good. Also worth considering are the Goodyear Eagle F1s, but I'm not sure if they make them in the correct sizes for 15" rims.

Lots of choice. Spend that little bit extra and you may not be faced with a deflated airbag one day. :-)

P.
Paul Nothard

>>Lots of choice. Spend that little bit extra and you may not be faced with a deflated airbag one day. :-)<<

Indeed.
I'd love to look round the scrapyards and see what tyres were on the crashed MGFs.
Just so I could avoid those tyres in future !

>>I hate NCT3s with a passion. Slippy and dangerous in the wet.<<
I never had a problem with the front 185s (or haven't seen a problem reported) - but the rear 205s are deadly. I would sell my MGF before fitting NCT3s on the rear again !
Steve

This thread was discussed between 02/12/2004 and 04/12/2004

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now