Michael:
I had a set of Michelin 165/15 XAS's on my BJ8 many years ago, when they
were still available in tire shops, from Michelin. They were outstanding on
the Healey - a 'softer' tire than the ZX's, and much better in wet
conditions, much 'grippier'. The down side - they had a higher wear rate
than the other Michelins available at the time, to me a welcome trade-off
for what was to my mind a superior tire.
As I understand it, the problem now is one of cost - I believe that Coker
Tire has it at something around $200 US or so - most people are not willing
to pay that kind of money for 'driver' tires when the Vredesteins (in one of
3 appropriate sizes are similar, but with modern up to date construction
technology) are available.
I believe that the closest tire available to the originals in size, and at a
'relatively' reasonable price are the Michelin 175/15 ZXT's, which are the
current incarnation of the same XZX and ZX's that a lot of us have been
running of late. These tires are pretty hard when they are new, and seem to
get harder with age very quickly - they definitely are not the best tires in
the wet. My 175 ZX's (on both Healeys) are about 9 years old and need
replacing - still lots of tread left, but they're shot.
I'll probably go with the 185/70/15 Vred's - with apologies to David Nock,
to me the 195's look a bit big in the wheel wells.
Earl Kagna
Victoria, B.C.
BT7 tri-carb
BJ8
----- Original Message -----
From: <Awgertoo@aol.com>
To: <healeys@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 3:53 PM
Subject: Tires
Michelin's Antique Tyre page http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/michelin.html
shows the Michelin 165 XAS is virtually the same width and diameter
dimension as
the 175 ZX: 6.3 & 25.6 versus 6.2 & 25.7.
I had XAS' on some BMW sedans years back and they seemed like great
tires--does anyone have any experience or input on them and is there any
reason that
they would not be compatible with our cars?
Best--Michael Oritt, 100 Le Mans (w/175's)
Check out the new British Cars Forum:
http://www.team.net/the-local/tiki-view_forum.php?forumId=8
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