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MG MGF Technical - Tyres for OZ TF 160

After 18000kms it's time to get new tyres for my TF 160. I understand from the archives that Bridgestone S-02s are no longer available in Australia. In fact the only tyre the Bridgestone Aust. website lists for an MGF/TF is a 205/45 x R16 "Adrenalin Potenza RE001". Has anybody heard of these or used them? As far as I can tell from their website, the TOYO T-1R Proxes are still available. Are these still the next best thing or is there something else? I would be interested to know what tyres F and TF owners in OZ are using and where they purchased them. I'm also keen to know which give the best compromise between track and road use. Many thanks. Cheers Tony
Tony Todd

Tony, Hi and welcome. In which state do you live, if it's in Victoria Ian Edgars Tyre Power in Nottinghill is the best place for tyres and thats where most MG owners buy from. I would also recomend A 4wheel alignment at the same time. If you are after track day tyres such as Bridgestone RE55's or Toyo 888 try Craig Robinson at Trackside Race & Rally Service in Kilsyth. I run 15" Toyo T 1R's as a road tyre and for track the Bridgestones.
Andrew W Regens

Hi Tony, I have a set of TOYO's on my 1997 VVC following recommendations from other F owners here, they have very goog adhesion and ride quality for road use, I don't use my car on the track so can't comment on this, also your car has the later non hydragas suspension so may be a different requirement,

Cheers, Alan
A.J. Mackew

I can't recall seeing a post where somebody has tried T1-Rs all round and then gone back to any other brand.
C.R.B. Simeon

Thanks guys for your suggestions. However, in Sydney at least, Toyos and indeed Goodyears are rarer than rocking horse manure. For both tyres, none are in stock at the distributors throughout Australia and the trick will be in finding a retail outlet that still has some. Delivery time for the Toyos is sometime in March next year and for the Goodyears a delivery date is yet to finalised, maybe February. Not good when your tyres are close to the legal limit. So what are the alternatives if I can't get either and what is the BBS's considered view on running the same size tyre front and back?
Thanks. Tony
Tony Todd

Tony, it would be a shame if the S-02 were no longer available - I have them on my F (using 16" ULW alloys) and they're simply superb, but you do have to use a non-standard size (205/45 R16).

IMO these are the best road/ track tyre you can get.

I would suspect that the Goodyear F1 and the Toyo T1R would be a good second choice.

That said, I haven't tried the Michelin Pilot Cups - these could be a good tyre to try out, but to my knowledge so far untried on our cars.
Rob Bell

>>Craig Robinson at Trackside Race & Rally Service in Kilsyth<<

Just as an aside. As a resident of the small town of Kilsyth in Scotland I didn't realise that there was also one "down under". I wonder if there is any connection
David Clelland

Andrew,

I've just been looking at a map of your Kilsyth and I see that you also have a place called Croy. The village of Croy and Croy Hill is about a mile to the south of where I live, so there must be a connection.
David Clelland

David, Lots of Scotts had settled in Australia and were sheep, cattle farmers. In fact the Kilsyth area here is nestled in the hills and is not unlike parts of the Highlands. Now a little of it has been cleared and a small industrial area has formed. It is about an hour and a half drive in peak traffic from the centre of Melbourne, from me 35min. We pass and drive through the area a lot on EMR's ( early morning runs ) real MG roads. I will try and find out more about the naming of Croy and the conection.
Andrew W Regens

I ve just put Toyo T1R s all round on mine and i m very impressed as the grip and suspension issues (roly poly when on adverse camber/going over cats eyes/going over wet painted white lines) are much improved. Its a much better car to drive!
Maritza Gee

Just bringing this to the top of the page. Will report back shortly. Tony
Tony Todd

After scouring the state over Christmas and New Year, the local Tyrepower rep has managed to find me a full set of Toyos which are now on the car. I haven't had a chance to see what they are like yet but hopefully all the hype is correct. Actually it was rather fortuitious that I decided to change the tyres now as the tyre fitters found 3 of the rims were buckled (probably due to an "off" at Wakefield Park last October). I am competing at Mount Panorama this Easter so it is nice to know everything is all present and correct in the wheel and tyre department. If any MGF/TF owner in Sydney is experiencing difficulty in obtaining Toyos I suggest you give Mark Atkins, Seven Hills Tyrepower a call on 9674 3611 and he will try his best to help you out.
As an aside, and you'll all probably say "I knew that" it is a good idea to use your spare set of keys regularly. When I went to take the car over to Tyrepower using the spare set it wouldn't start because the rolling sequences were out of synch. I'll have to get the alarm fob reprogrammed at the next service.
Tony
Tony Todd

This thread was discussed between 18/12/2007 and 18/01/2008

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