How to migrate from 185/80 to 175/80 tyres on factory alloys?

[Roger M]

I am attracted to Nankang Econex NA-1 175/80 R14 88H tyres. But the Stag's my only car, so I'd be interested in your views on how best to migrate away from my ageing, slightly wider, Vredestein Sprint Classics (185/80 R14 90H).

I'm thinking of starting by scrapping my two worst Vredesteins, and putting the slightly narrower Nankang replacements on the rear. Is that 185-175 front-rear pairing a 'no-no'? (I wasn't planning to go anywhere with two spare wheels, either!). Or will my insurer have the last word, anyway?!

[NeilR]

Save up a few more weeks & change all 4.

Or do the fronts1st if you can't wait.

[Andrew S]

Why go a narrower tread?
Most people have gone to 195 70 14's as there is such a wide choice of good tyres and makes
175's are too narrow as the car is not light
185 or wider would be the route to take
Not sure on MOT regs on having different size and tread patterns so just check this too.
Good luck

[mole42]

Why go a narrower tread <snip>
175's are too narrow as the car is not light

175 tyres are original spec on later cars and alloys were standard by then so there’s no problem fitting them. I’ve used 175 tyres on my Stag for the past 50,000 miles including a few road rallies.

However, I always fit the same tyre on all four corners, never mix’n’match.

[Andrew S]

Yes I’m aware of that but why go thinner, might as well stick 165’s on it .
185’s where possible would be wiser

[Lingen]

Roger. As already said, 195/70 is a very popular choice. and I have been fitting them for years. They are available in a huge range of makes and prices. Go to the Black Circles website and you will see what I mean.
Mike.

[Roger M]

For me, one reason for 'going thinner', Andrew, is that my garage faces out on to a (very) shared courtyard, so the last twenty years of 'daily driving' has involved a lot of low-speed maneuvering! So, although I've happily used 185's on the Stag for forty-odd years, I'm thinking that these Nankang 175/80 tyres have the required load and speed rating without being expensive (amazingly) and may in future even save me a bit on ball-joints. Yeah - I've never dreamed of running on even slightly mis-matching tyres before...

[StagJonno]

I fitted 195/ 70/R14 to replace 185/ 70/R14 onto standard Stag alloys and found the steering was significantly less "pointy" and less fun to drive. Will definitely be dropping back to 185 at the next change.

The 185s resulted in the speedo indicating higher, the 195s caused it to read ~10% lower.

[richardthestag]

I always understood that you put new tyres on the back, did I dream that?

MOT regs state that the tyres need to match size on the same axle, else there are a shed load of German saloons and sports cars that would fail the test big time.

I wouldn't worry about mixing and matching so long as they are all in good order.

The last set I fitted to my stag were Firestone Multihawk 2 175/80 R14 H (88) Fuel:E, Wet:C, Noise:2-69dB from black circles at a smidge under £60 + VAT a corner.

Don't tell the gents above that my spare is a Michelin

[Roger M]

[QUOTE=richardthestag;n859948]I always understood that you put new tyres on the back/QUOTE]
Too true, Richard. Just think of the consequences if you drive into a greasy corner and your rear tyres are first to lose grip!

[mole42]

Don't tell the gents above that my spare is a Michelin

You maverick, you…..

[mole42]

[QUOTE=Roger M;n859957]

I always understood that you put new tyres on the back/QUOTE]
Too true, Richard. Just think of the consequences if you drive into a greasy corner and your rear tyres are first to lose grip!

Been there, done that. Mini on a roundabout, drizzle on spilled diesel fuel……wrote the car off.

[Stag About Town]

Best tyres on the back because they need to be able to follow the slip angle set by the steering wheels on corners. This was why it was radial rear back in the day when mixing crossply and radial was quite common. Tyre dealers tended to recommend new tyres on the front but this was just a ploy to sell a wheel balance. On the sizes, 1758014 is not just narrower than 1858014, it is also a slightly smaller diameter and rolling radius. If the car came on 185s and you want to stick with 14 inch Stag alloys then stick with 1858014 tyres. If it came with 1758014 then either stick with that size or go to 1957014.

[Roger M]

... On the sizes, 1758014 is not just narrower than 1858014, it is also a slightly smaller diameter and rolling radius ...

Oh, yes! I kinda overlooked that ...