I'm just about to the point where I'm ready to get new tyres for Gretel, my
white TR-4, and I find I must appeal to the collective SOL wisdom in my
quest in upgrading to today's technology tyres. I want to keep with the
original wire wheels, so before I send them off to British Wire Wheel to be
hot-tanked, tuned, and re-painted, I want to decide what would be the "best"
tires to get. (I will be contacting BWW to get their list of tyres/prices
for the possibly of having BWW mount and balance the tyres as well.)
So, firstly, for sizes: As far as I can tell, the closest match to the
originals would be a 155/85R-15. But I'm thinking that maybe I don't want
to keep it *that* original. ;-) 185/70R-15 might be a little nicer for the
extra width, while still keeping the same diameter. However, these types
specify a minimum rim width of 5". Now, I realize the rim width trade-offs
between handling and ride, but I wonder if this wider type would still be a
handling improvement over the original narrow ones, even with the 4 1/2"
rims? If so, what about going to 195/60R-15's, with a specified minimum
rim width of 5 1/2"? I recall Dr. Bobwrench mentioning that he uses this
size on his TR-6(?) - is this with original rims, or have you upgraded, Dr.
Bob?
As for specific brands and types: I have followed with interest the
discussions about auto-crossing and Yokohamas and Hoosiers, but that level
of performance is more than I'm interested in (for now ;-). There is a
reasonably priced source of Yokohama 345s (? Darn, lost my notes!) locally,
that look pretty nice. Of course, I'd rather drive on them than look at
them! ;-) Anyone heard anything about these? Yoko lists them as a "high
performance tires", whereas A001's and A008's are listed as "high
performance tires for competition".
Any suggestions/words of wisdom? Dr. Bobwrench? mjb? Scott?
Pat Vilbrandt John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc. Everett, Washington USA
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