MGF Tyres

[gwp]

Tyres are one of the hottest topics, but could not find the exact answer I was looking for so thought I'd start a new topic...

Having just bought my F out of winter hibernation (I know should have come out months ago, but due to building work couldn't actually get it out the garage!) I've noticed that the rears are looking a bit close to the limit and are unlikely to pass MOT later this year.

I currently have Toyo T1-R all around which were fitted when I put the 16" wheels on in either 2010 or 2011, based on other comments on here seems that it is unlikely I'll get the same compound and since the fronts do not need replacing at the moment I could end up with dodgy handling...

I note the Falkens are recommended for the TF - does this go for the F as well? I'm guessing mixing them is not going to be ideal so with my low mileage I'm wondering if I'd be better using the same size all around (currently 185 at the front and 205 at the back) so that I can swap them around every couple of years to get more even wear - I could potentially make them last close to the 10 year life of the tyre then!

Comments and/or advice appreciated...

[Neil Rushton]

I got caught up in the mismatched Toyo fiasco I've always liked the T1-Rs but fitted 2 Falkens to the front when the Toyos needed replacing but that left me with a front/rear mismatch not ideal, but it hasn't affected the cars handling like the mismatched Toyos did So not a problem the rears still have 4/5 mm tread so will be a while before I've got Falkens all round as I tend to change them at about 3mm left.
I'm not sure if the F is as "touchy" about tyres as the TF but I wouldn't like to be driving on 10yr old tyres though

[Buzzy-Beans]

Surely, unless we are doing 10/10'ths track days absolute ultimate grip isn't the be all and end all situation for the vast majority of us?

My 2001 1.8F is equipped with Avon ZZ3's all round and it handles like an absolute dream, mind you, I am only using 'Madge' for sunny dry days out on the generally well surfaced country roads in the surrounding area.

[talkingcars]

But Buzzy-Bears - the ZZ3 is in the same league as the Toyo T1r!

IIRC the Toyo mixed country of manufacture problem was more of a problem with the TF.
you can fit 195 all round instead of the 185/205 set up.

I'm not sure about the 16"s but

[RobboMC]

With the low prices I see on dealer web sites over there compared to the riff-off prices we have to pay down under I would just replace the whole set of 4. If you've got 7-8 years out of them then the're going to be pretty well done anyway, maybe not worn out but hard and damaged. No matter how well you store the car the tyres will deteriorate over time.

And will you get 8 more years out of the fronts? So when the fronts wear out you'll have the mismatch issue again.

I don't know about the 16"set-up, but my 15" wheels had 195's all round and when I wore them out I fitted 185's and 205's and the car is transformed. On 195's it was quite tail happy, now that's all gone and it's much much better to drive. The 195's were of Chinese origin but were quite soft and sticky.

[floozy]

Hi Graham
Ive had the Falkens on my F for a few years (16s all round) and find them absolutely fine (also got them on the TF). If they needed to be changed tomorrow I would get Falkens again.

[gwp]

Thanks all for your advise - I went ahead and changed all 4 to Falkens and I have to admit that the difference was noticeable immediately - car felt much more planted on the road and stable at high speed.

[Barbour]

Hi Graham
Ive had the Falkens on my F for a few years (16s all round) and find them absolutely fine (also got them on the TF). If they needed to be changed tomorrow I would get Falkens again.

I want these on my F as well, however, I'm not sure about the size.

I've bought a set of 16" flat spokes for my '98 F, but the original owners book in German mentions nothing on 16", I also have a 3rd edition English MGF handbook from 2000 mentioning 215/40/R16 Z all around

Then there's the info on UltimateMG which makes things even more confusing. All around I think I'll just get a set of four Falkens in 215/40.