Tyre Size

[AllanH]

Apologies if this is repeating anything previous - but does anyone have any advice for/against using 185/55 R 13s (on MG Metro wheels) - which I already have
Build manual say only to use 165/60s. Looks like rolling radius is barely 3mm different - but any thoughts/advice about fouling bodywork or similar ?
With thanks

AllanH

[DavidL]

Well, the build manual was written when 165/60 R13 tyres were more widely available. Mine currently has 175/60 R13 tyres on the front wheels, but their rolling radius is really a bit too big, and I'm going to have to pump the suspension up a bit before it goes back on the road. I'd think the size you mentioned might work, but you'd have to watch they don't foul on full lock - or even before you get to full lock.

[AllanH]

Thanks David,
yes, agree, I've got everything out and disassembled right now but it all looked fairly reasonable when I did offered the fronts up.
Will check the lock to lock clearance though.
Thanks for your thoughts

Allan

[Rich]

I'm sure there was someone on here running 185s on their Gold, I'm running 175 without any issues.

[b1zbaz]

Think I'm on 185 can't remember though will look tomoz

[DavidL]

I'm sure there was someone on here running 185s on their Gold, I'm running 175 without any issues.

Is that 175/60 R13, or is it a different aspect ratio again?

With the 175/60 R13s on my front wheels, there is minimal clearance between the tyre and the arch...

[Rich]

I'm sure there was someone on here running 185s on their Gold, I'm running 175 without any issues.

Is that 175/60 R13, or is it a different aspect ratio again?

With the 175/60 R13s on my front wheels, there is minimal clearance between the tyre and the arch...

Sorry, I'm using 175/50 R13 I think it's the size used on the last of the A series Coopers.

[AllanH]

Thanks Rich

[ACourtney]

Hi Allan,

I have fitted 185/55 R13s to a couple of Golds and have found differences in overall diameter between different brands, but this is not uncommon I'm told.
The clearance issue is a matter of diameter, width and also how "square" the shoulders are.
I had no clearance problems with a set of 185/55 Dunlops, but these are now out of production sadly. However, I found Camac Aurigas in that size would touch the rear of the arch, but only in the most extreme circumstances - i.e. full lock and braking.
I have not tried the Toyo Roadpro's in 185/55 R13 so I don't know if they are okay or not. Anyone tried them?

Other options that I have seen used are 165/55 R13 and 165/65 R13.

The old 165/55 R13 were theoretically 528mm diameter.
185/55 R13 ~ 534mm
165/55 R13 ~ 512mm
165/65 R13 ~ 545mm
175/50 R13 ~ 505mm

These are the theoretical diameters and in practice I have seen differences of 12mm in diameter from one brand to another, but then again you will see that sort of variation between a new and a fully worn tyre.

The 165/65 R13 probably offer the biggest choice in brands, whereas supplies of the 185/55 R13 are already becoming patchy.

One last comment, I see elsewhere that you will need to IVA your car. In which case I would recommend leaving the purchase of any tyres until the last minute and then finding somewhere to give your car a shakedown run to take the shine off them. I have heard of two cases where cars had problems with the SVA/IVA rear brake tests as the tyres were not gripping the rollers - not helped by them being so light at the rear; one with unused tyres that had been on the car for 5 years before the IVA test and another with brand new tyres that still had their just moulded shine on them. In the latter case the examiner was good enough to take the car for the road-test/speedo check run and then do the brake test again, but in the former case the owner had to fit new tyres for a re-test.

Alistair

[DavidL]

There is also the 175/60 R13 size that I fitted, which have a theoretical diameter of 540mm. The brand I fitted was Maxxis, which turned out to be quite cheap, about £40 each, but I haven't done more than a few tens of miles on them yet so can't comment on their road behaviour.

One thing I know nothing about, is whether the tyre clearance at all angles of steering is part of the MoT test (not the SVA test as I don't have to do that). Is this liable to be a failure point?