What tyres?

[ChasNott]

I shall need 4 new tyres on my Stag due to their age (>10 years).
The size I currently have is 195/60R14 86 and I want to stick with this size. Up to now, I have always used Pirellis - stick like glue!!
Has anyone tried either

• PNEU MICHELIN MXV3-A
• PNEU CONTINENTAL PREMIUM CONTACT 2

Thanks

[Rigid]

Interesting about the size.
Mine are 185/70 so I think you are running very slightly closer to the ground, and your speedo will read faster - unless I have this the wrong way round.

No idea about premium makes - is the Stag really a performance car?
I like to think it is more a GT rather than a sports car.

[DJT]

OE tyre fitment was 185HR14, which is 80 (or 82) profile. Last year of production 175HR14 were fitted. If you use a tyre size calculator (https://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator/) you will see that 195/60R14 are considerably smaller than original. Almost 10% in the case of 185HR14 and over 7% in the case of 175HR14.

[trunt]

I plumped for 195/70 14. These are pretty much same diameter as stock. Agree with the GT tyres, especially as I’m extremely unlikely to wear a set out before they have aged out.

They are General Altimax. Also have them on my MGB. Not sure if they are available where you are but I’m quite happy with them

also, you may find that 10 years on, tyres like that are no longer available in those smaller sizes

[mole42]

[QUOTE=Rigid;n850385
No idea about premium makes - is the Stag really a performance car?
I like to think it is more a GT rather than a sports car.[/QUOTE]

Although it's hardly a GT-40, the H-rated original fitment tyres are for a car capable of 130mph and any reduction in that spec should be at least declared to your insurers. I have driven my Stag at an indicated 120mph* for several miles in Germany and wouldn't want anything less than the best tyres between my arse and the tarmac.....

Unfortunately, having used 175/80R14H UniRoyal RainExpert tyres for the past 60,000 miles (that's about three sets) I find that they are becoming increasingly difficult to find so I'm on the hunt for something similar. Continental EcoContact 3 are possible but my late rally driver friend said the UniRoyals on my car gave the best grip they'd ever handled so it might be difficult to find something acceptable.

* my speedo has since been verified by my very accurate Brantz Tripmaster.

[DJT]

I fitted new Vredestein Classic 185/8014H tyres in April 2017 and they are still good after 20,000 miles. Sadly today I noticed a nail sticking out of the edge of one of the rear ones. Cannot be repaired, so I need a replacement. The same tyres are now over 200 pounds each, so on the search for something suitable.

[Stag About Town]

Although it's hardly a GT-40, the H-rated original fitment tyres are for a car capable of 130mph and any reduction in that spec should be at least declared to your insurers. I have driven my Stag at an indicated 120mph* for several miles in Germany and wouldn't want anything less than the best tyres between my arse and the tarmac.....

Unfortunately, having used 175/80R14H UniRoyal RainExpert tyres for the past 60,000 miles (that's about three sets) I find that they are becoming increasingly difficult to find so I'm on the hunt for something similar. Continental EcoContact 3 are possible but my late rally driver friend said the UniRoyals on my car gave the best grip they'd ever handled so it might be difficult to find something acceptable.

* my speedo has since been verified by my very accurate Brantz Tripmaster.

The "car capable of" as above is the key phrase. Manufacturers decide the speed rating for a car based on what the car is capable of rather than what it may actually do. Their decision on a speed rating includes allowances for acceleration loads, cornering stresses, and braking etc. and is combined with the load index. When the Stag was in production there was no T rating so the choice had to be H. At 118 mph the T is technically just within limits for the published top speed of the Stag but I would always opt for the recommended H speed rating. Also a lot of comparisons size-wise talk of the overall diameter but the best comparison and the dimension we always used to recommend what could be fitted to what back in the day, is the rolling radius. This is a smaller number than half the diameter obviously.

[Philip Wardle]

I've always stayed with the original type specification on all the cars I've owned. I knew a chap with a Capri RS3100 who had an insurance claiim turned down because he didn't.

[DJT]

I've always stayed with the original type specification on all the cars I've owned. I knew a chap with a Capri RS3100 who had an insurance claiim turned down because he didn't.

Not easy, as I am finding out. Yes, there are Michelin MXV at over 250 each, but what else? The Vredestein I fitted in 2017 were 140 each, but are now over 200. Blockley Tyres do a 185HR14, but reviews vary and they too are 150 each. There is more choice in 175HR14 at more reasonable prices, but getting hold of them quickly is a bit of a problem due to poor stock levels. But would that, in your words, be classed as straying from OE spec on my 1973 Stag? Quality 185R14T tyres are readily available around 75 each and these would satisfy any performance requirements I would subject my car to.

As I am too busy to be using my Stag at present, and I am having bother with the Powerlite starter I fitted recently, I am going to take a while deciding on which way I should go with the tyres.

[sujitroy]

Here in USA, Amazon sells tires and have them sent to a local tire shop for mounting. HanKook come up as a good brand and price.
Sujit

[Philip Wardle]

Not easy, as I am finding out. Yes, there are Michelin MXV at over 250 each, but what else? The Vredestein I fitted in 2017 were 140 each, but are now over 200. Blockley Tyres do a 185HR14, but reviews vary and they too are 150 each. There is more choice in 175HR14 at more reasonable prices, but getting hold of them quickly is a bit of a problem due to poor stock levels. But would that, in your words, be classed as straying from OE spec on my 1973 Stag? Quality 185R14T tyres are readily available around 75 each and these would satisfy any performance requirements I would subject my car to.

As I am too busy to be using my Stag at present, and I am having bother with the Powerlite starter I fitted recently, I am going to take a while deciding on which way I should go with the tyres.

Actually I admit to being OCD and risk averse on tyres, so on my '73 Stag and the 2500S I had years ago I've usually taken out a second mortgage and gone for the Michelin MXVs. I just checked at Halfords, they are offering Vredestein Sprint Classic 185/80 R14 90H at £205.99, these appear to comply with the spec we need, so maybe worth looking at, but I'm not qualified to offer definite advice and would probably get Halfords to confirm. ISTR that Avons were also factory fitments.

[DJT]

Actually I admit to being OCD and risk averse on tyres, so on my '73 Stag and the 2500S I had years ago I've usually taken out a second mortgage and gone for the Michelin MXVs. I just checked at Halfords, they are offering Vredestein Sprint Classic 185/80 R14 90H at £205.99, these appear to comply with the spec we need, so maybe worth looking at, but I'm not qualified to offer definite advice and would probably get Halfords to confirm. ISTR that Avons were also factory fitments.

The Vredestein tyres are what I have had since 2017. They have done 20,000 miles and are about 66% worn. But losing one to a nail is what has prompted my research.

[JeffW]

Here in USA, Amazon sells tires and have them sent to a local tire shop for mounting. HanKook come up as a good brand and price.
Sujit

Faversham fitted Hankooks to my MK2 when I first got it. They were good and reasonably priced.

Jeff

[Stag About Town]

Faversham fitted Hankooks to my MK2 when I first got it. They were good and reasonably priced.

Jeff

Hankook and Khumo are both from the same stable in South Korea and are widely fitted by car brands like Kia and Hyundai. Nothing wrong with either of those and are usually well priced and easily available.

[DJT]

Hankook and Khumo are both from the same stable in South Korea and are widely fitted by car brands like Kia and Hyundai. Nothing wrong with either of those and are usually well priced and easily available.

The Hankook Optima K715 185/8014 91T are on my list of possibles, but will speak to my insurers before I take the plunge. I can get a set of 4 fitted for £312.