Tyres - Alternative sizes

Rumblin_Ron

New Member
I am looking at getting some low profile tyres to improve the sharpness and lower the car a little (less role !)
moving from 185/80 to 195/70, 195/65 or even 195/60 on 15" inch wheels.
I presume I am not the first, does it work ?, also does the low profile mess up that wonderfull ride?
 
I use 185/65/14's on the front and 195/60/14's on the rear of mine, and although the speedo new reads fast (should have gone up a wheel size but couldn't afford to !) the grip and handleing are vastly improved.
Any modern car of this size would have at least 195's, probably 205's. The 800 had minimun 195's, upto 225's, and thats slightly lighter than the P6 !!

Do it !, just make sure you buy decent tyres rather than the cheapie "no name" things that I use.

Richard
Webmaster
 
Dear Ron,
No comments on tyre / wheel sizes but don't try to lose "the roll" - P6's are lightly damped (like American cars used to be) with the characteristic that they do roll a bit in corners but the up side of this is that they are extremely comfortable over long distances and they can drive over "sleeping policemen" without slowing down (well, maybe a little) whereas most modern cars handle (ultimately) better but jar your fillings on the slightest bump.
Modern dampers will also help you lose "the roll".
Regards, John.
 
Thanks chaps, great help.
I'm going for some 195/60 on 15". A bloke down the road has some Buick wheels 15" x 6J and the right stud pattern. Being none standard I will have to fiddle to fit them, see the "Wheels" thread for the latest problem ! I will keep you posted.
 
Hi!
I am sure that if you are using the original size (185/80), there must be variations in how the tyre is behaving. I would like to hear people's experience with different tyre brands. I know there is probably not many manufacturers that still produce full profile 185 - 14's. Within a year or so I hope to have my 3,5s ready for a set of new tyres, What is available - Dunlop, Avon, Michelin or???
Please give me some advise you who drive P6'es regularly!
 
Hi Barten

I am one of those sad gits who spends his dinner houres at work trawling the web. Its amazing what you can find !
A number of companies still make 185/80's, for example, see the following sites.

http://www.classictyres.com/aboutus.htm
http://www.toyo.co.uk
http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/eng/local/collec/p1.htm
http://www.colwaytyres.co.uk/
http://www.dunloptyres.co.uk/site/tyres/car/tyreSizeSearch/index.shtml
http://www.tyres-online.co.uk/

Of course originaly H (130mph) rated tyres were specified on the V8, I don't know about 2000./2200's. Anybody know if there is an insurance issue here if lower rated tyres are fitted ? (ie a V8 is capable of going faster than the tyre safety rating)
 
As long as the tyres fitted are to manufacturers specification then you are ok.
So if Rover spec'd 185/80/14 H and you fits some, then its not your fault if one blows up at speed !!

Usually the insurance companies only complain if you fit tyres that aren't the same as spec'd, although I couldn't see them having a leg to stand on if you fitted V or Z rated anyway !

I just did a search on mytyres (www.mytyres.co.uk) and they don't list a 185/80/14 but they do have a enquiry form to fill in and they will try and find some for you, worth a try.

Richard
Webmaster :D
 
I just checked, you can get 195/70/14 which I guess would be pretty close to the same circumference as 185/80, and would give better grip and handling.

Doh !, I've just realised that size rang a bell, I have them on both my 820's !! ;)

Richard
Webmaster
 
Thanks for that. For everyone else who did not get what I was going on about, the issue I was raising (not very well) was that "S" "T" and "U" rated tyres are all lower rated than "H". A lot of the 185/80 tyres I've seen are of these lower rating's. This might not cause problems in real life since I don't cruise up the M1 at 130mph very often !. But from what you say, it seems it could cause problems with insurance. Looking at the tyres that came with the car when I bought it, they are S rated so I might need to look at this.
 
Better still, 205/55/17's are virtually identical too !!
Or even 215/45/18 .... Rubber bands anybody ??

Mmmm, now where's my credit card.......

Richard :D
 
You tell me how to make wide tyres fit and I'll buy em !!

On the speed rating thing, my broker seems happy with me fitting S rated tyres as long as I inform them in writting of the change in spec, I cannot comment on anybody elses insurance, best that you check. Loads of people (Toyo, Dunlop etc) make lower rated 185/80 tyres so this makes life easier, just remember not to cruise over the limit guys.

PS Michelin still make "classic" H rated 185/80's...their not cheap though (just good)
 
Reply to speed rating 3 questions back - I think the insurance companies can make an issue of wrong tyre speed rating and void your cover if they want to get picky, or if speed was an issue in a crash, but as we all drive our P6's carefully it wont be an issue, will it... ;)
 
I suppose the best advise is check with your Insurance broker before you do anything. Mine did'nt seem to think it was a problem when I spoke to him on the phone (as long as I notified them), but what will your insurance say ? We all know what Insurance Companies are like when it comes to avioding paying up on claims ! Anybody changing tyres, check with their insurance first.
 
When I insure my convertible, the form asks exactly what size and rating tyres are fitted. (Adrian Flux)

This is probably unusual, probably only because the car is "modified".... I've never done the same for a standard car.

Richard :)
 
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