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FWIW, I'm on my 4th (5th?) set of Vredestein Sprint Classics
185/70R-15 on my BJ8. I've run them for well over 100K miles and
have never had an issue; they're a good all-around (all-season) tire
that is more than adequate for all but all-out racing. They are good
in the rain, adequate in snow, grip well on pavement, have a smooth
ride and are good for 20-25K miles (they'll 'age out' before most
owners put that many miles on them).<br>
<br>
I run 6-inch Dayton 72-spoke stainless/chrome wires I bought from
Bruce Erfer when he sold out of his garage in Soquel, before he
opened his shop (British Wire Wheel). If I ever buy new wheels, I'd
probably go with 5.5" rims as the wheels protrude a bit more from
the sides than ideal, and the sidewalls look a little 'splayed'. The
only rubbing I had was a R/R wheel that rubbed against a rebound
bolt on hard left corners (but caused no appreciable damage). I have
had problems with tubes leaking due to chafing (yes, I talced the
tubes). I got a new set of MWS painted for the BN2 shod with 165/80
Vredesteins from Tom Monaco (the mounting was perfect but Tom said
it was a lot of work). These are sealed wheels which, IMO, are the
only way to go.<br>
<br>
I haven't priced any Michelins, but if they're a lot more expensive
I can't see the value (IIRC the Michelins require tubes but I don't
know for sure). Note Michelin is otherwise my go-to; I have Cross
Climate 2s on the Lincoln and Pilot Sport 4Ses on the Mustang. Years
ago, the NA director for Vredestein owned a BJ8, and there was a red
one on their pamphlets but I don't know for a fact it was his. <br>
<br>
Bob <br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 5/6/2025 2:49 PM, Stephen Hutchings
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:B955A641-D6FD-46FD-A1AD-ED5B2E6B12B7@rogers.com">
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
Harold, that chart is really useful.
<div>What I’m wondering, is if you opt for the 165 15 size- what
height ratio works best?</div>
<div>I mean, some of the brands like Continental have a
specification like 165 65 15.</div>
<div>I noticed that you said you find the Vredestein Classic
185/70 HR 15 look out of place…so you find the 70 height ratio
too small?</div>
<div>I don’t want any rubbing.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Stephen BJ8<br>
<div><br>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div>On May 6, 2025, at 11:52 AM, Harold Manifold
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:manifold@telus.net"><manifold@telus.net></a> wrote:</div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">Mitchell,
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Tires are a somewhat contentious issue in the
Healey world. I do have a background in the automotive
world and started with the basics to pick a tire.
Originally my car had 4" wide rims which limited the
tire choice to a 165 HR 15. I upgraded to 4.5" wide
rims which opens up a number of possibilities. The
second consideration is to match the sidewall height
of the original tires for a couple of reasons. The
profile of the wheel well on our Healey is basically
the same for all models. The tires should have an OD
close to the original Roadspeed 5.90H15 to maintain
the right look. Another consideration is the tire is a
part of the suspension system and the sidewall of the
tire influences the ride. A lower sidewall tends to
produce a stiffer and harsher ride.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I chose the Michelin XAS 180 HR 15 and am very
happy with the look, ride and performance. If your BJ8
is a phase 2 with the raised suspension in my
opinion the 165 HR 15 has too small a diameter and
doesn't look at home within the wheel well profile.
For the same reason I think the 185/70HR15 profile
tires look out of place as well.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>For comparison this is the table I put together to
help pick out tires. All of these will fit a 4.5" - 5"
wide rim. The wider tires could have clearance issues
but reports are they do fit.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"
width="485"
style="border-collapse:collapse;width:364pt">
<colgroup><col width="187" style="width:140pt"> <col
width="90" style="width:68pt"> <col width="113"
style="width:85pt"> <col width="95"
style="width:71pt"> </colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="17" style="height:12.75pt">
<td height="17" class="gmail-xl24" width="187"
style="height:12.75pt;width:140pt;border:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">Tire</td>
<td class="gmail-xl25" width="90"
style="border-left:none;width:68pt;text-align:center;border-top:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">Size</td>
<td class="gmail-xl26" width="113"
style="border-left:none;width:85pt;text-align:center;border-top:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom"> Inflated
Diameter </td>
<td class="gmail-xl26" width="95"
style="border-left:none;width:71pt;text-align:center;border-top:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom"> Inflated
Width </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height:12.75pt">
<td height="17" class="gmail-xl24"
style="height:12.75pt;border-top:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-left:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">Road
Speed RS5</td>
<td class="gmail-xl25"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;text-align:center;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">5.90H15</td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
26.0 </td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
6.4 </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height:12.75pt">
<td height="17" class="gmail-xl24"
style="height:12.75pt;border-top:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-left:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">Michelin
XAS </td>
<td class="gmail-xl25"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;text-align:center;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">165
HR 15</td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
25.4 </td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
6.6 </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height:12.75pt">
<td height="17" class="gmail-xl24"
style="height:12.75pt;border-top:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-left:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">Michelin
XAS </td>
<td class="gmail-xl25"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;text-align:center;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">180
HR 15</td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
26.8 </td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
6.9 </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height:12.75pt">
<td height="17" class="gmail-xl24"
style="height:12.75pt;border-top:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-left:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">Vredestein
Sprint Classic</td>
<td class="gmail-xl25"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;text-align:center;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">165HR15</td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
25.4 </td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
6.6 </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height:12.75pt">
<td height="17" class="gmail-xl24"
style="height:12.75pt;border-top:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-left:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">Vredestein
Sprint Classic</td>
<td class="gmail-xl25"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;text-align:center;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">185HR15</td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
26.7 </td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
7.4 </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height:12.75pt">
<td height="17" class="gmail-xl24"
style="height:12.75pt;border-top:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-left:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">Vredestein
Sprint Classic</td>
<td class="gmail-xl25"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;text-align:center;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">185/70HR15</td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
25.2 </td>
<td class="gmail-xl27"
style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-right:0.5pt solid windowtext;border-bottom:0.5pt solid windowtext;padding-top:1px;padding-right:1px;padding-left:1px;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:bottom">
7.4 </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<br>
<div>Hope this helps. The list has been quiet for a
while so maybe this post will start a tire
controversy!</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Harold</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, May 5, 2025 at
6:34 PM Hank Leach via Healeys <<a
href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">healeys@autox.team.net</a>>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote"
style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div>I use that tire on my BJ8 as it is closest to the
original bias 590s. The 180 may affect your
speedometer reading and could rub the sidelight
wires but many use that size no matter. Anything
bigger for sure will rub. Here is the look of the
165 with 60s in the the wheel well. Hank<br>
-------------------- <br>
<br>
From: "Mitch Simmons" <<a
href="mailto:simmonsmitch23@gmail.com"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">simmonsmitch23@gmail.com</a>>
<br>
To: <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">healeys@autox.team.net</a>>
<br>
Sent: May 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM PDT <br>
Subject: [Healeys] (no subject) </div>
<div>Hello,
<div>anyone have recent experience with
.....Michelin XZX 165SR15 tires? I am considering
them on my 66 BJ8......LMK....I have Dayton 60
spoke rims......Also considering Michelin XAS
180HR15...BUT not sure they will work with 4.5
inch wide rims (any experience with those would be
appreciated ..as well</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Thanks</div>
<div>Mitchell</div>
</div>
<div> </div>
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