Tyres for classic saloons

[peterdeane]

I'm trying to decide what tyres to buy for a classic S-type I'm restoring. Having no previous experience of driving these cars, and not likely to be interested in racing or even hard driving when my S-type eventually hits the road, just low annual mileage cruising in comfort !
I'm tempted to go for "cheap and cheerful" Kankook 185/80/R15 tyres (recommended size for the chrome wire wheels I've fitted). They are roughly half the price of Vredestein and 1/3 the price of Michelins etc.
Anyone got any experiences to share

[AJAX50]

Given your use, it would be worth looking at technical data and choosing a tyre that makes least noise. There is quite a variation.

[peterdeane]

Thanks for your comments. Yes, noise would certainly be a consideration if I can find data, especially on so-called "budget" tyres in this size. I was hoping maybe someone had actual experience of using these Hankook tyres as they are so much cheaper.
Peter.

[david340]

Hi, ive used the Hankook tyres on other (non classic) vehicles. No problems at all. My 340 is on Avons.

Have a chat with the guys at Longstone Tyres they are quite friendly and seem to offer good advice on classic cat tyres.

[peterdeane]

Thanks for your comments David.
As you suggest, I thought Langstone might be able to help, but the advice I got was basically along the lines "if you pay peanuts you get rubbish".
Anyway, I took the plunge and decided to buy a set of Hankooks (at about £60 each including delivery - from E-bay). Not yet fitted, so I'll reserve judgement until I try them.
Peter.

[david340]

I think you should be ok !

My experience on a modern vehicle has been very good and lets face it, they are built to a spec and speed rating which we are unlikely to exceed !

With brand new tyres fitted and correctly balanced, at the right pressure I can't see you having problems.

My main concern wth tyres on classics is that with the limited mileage that most seem to cover, we can end up with "old" tyres with good tread depth. So I suppose one train of thought is go for the budget brands and change them on an age related basis!

Please keep us posted with your thoughts on the tyres..........

[Ian3.4]

Hi Guys,

I suppose that I have a major bias, I have seen Michelins, Goodyears, Dunlops etc made (a job thing) and without doubt Michelins are the only tyre I will ever trust myself and the family to use. the tyre really is the one and only contact between you and the road, your very life is attached to the road by much less than a square foot of rubber.

Speed is a factor of course but any good jag is still going to pull 65 and upwarda and corners, stopping etc, all need a set of rubber you can trust.

PLEASE spend your money on the best tyres available, they WILL help save your life!!!

Ian.

[simon4253]

while i agree in theory to the idea that michelins are better than most except possibly pirelli, besides my jags I do have a p5 rover with fairly new khumo 185/80/15 tyres on and have found them quiet and with very good grip under all 'normal' conditions. To be honest the rover being rather heavy the tyre roll and subsequent understeer when pushed too hard mean that i drive it accordingly! Most makes are adequate when driven sensibly and far better than 10 year old michelins or pirellis! I have also tried decent crossplies (original eqpt on may old cars) and found that very scary especially in the wet on rough roads (oxfordshire!).Enjoy the s type they are gorgeouus!

[peterdeane]

Thanks for your input. I've now fitted the Hankook tyres and they look the part, but I've yet to take the car out of its winter storage. I'm optimistic that the tyres will be fine when I eventually get it on the road and drive it sensibly

[Malc_R]

Peter

Although I see you have already fitted new tyes, I went thru a similar dilemma with tyres for my Triumph Stag - Hankook were an option for me , but in the end I went for Vredesteins, but I got them via 'mytyres' on the web (www.mytyres.com) - very competitve prices - think I paid something like £35 each ( a bit different to the £180 ea for my XKR )

Cheers

Malcolm

[peterdeane]

Interesting that you got the Vredesteins so cheap. You don't mention the size but cheapest Vredestein size 185R15 I could fined were over £100 each. This is not a "common" size for tyres, so maybe that's why they're hard to find at a budget price.
Anyway I still haven't ventured out with my S-type to try the new tyres - waiting for the summer !
Peter

[Malc_R]

Hi Peter

The size I needed was 185/80 R14. I went for the Vredestein Sprint Plus - they are classed as a 'summer tyre' ( no problem -dont use the Stag in lousy weather anyway) and were only rated for 106mph (again - no problem -dont fancy trolleying along at 100 mph on 30yr old brakes/suspension design etc) . Mytyres have those for GPB 48 ea now (price rises since I bought,clearly ) , but they also show a 185 15 inch 'Sprint Classic' tyre for GBP 82, so I guess you are getting closer to the 100 pounds that you found.

Cheers

[Martec]

Hi

If its any help I replaced my worn out Avons last year for 'Hankook' and did the 'Entente Cordiale' with enthusiastic driving. They were fine, no complaints.

Brian