205 tyres

vipergts · Post by **vipergts** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 9:16 pm

Anyone running 205/70's?

My favourite tyre would be Michelin XWX but they're well trumpy

I really need a cheaper tyre as its only for a splosher but modern tyres look......well too modern

Occasionally I come across a modern tyre that looks classic

Any ideas?

christopher storey · Post by **christopher storey** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 9:33 pm

Whatever you do , don't put 205 tyres on an S1. Even if they fit ( which is not always the case , particularly at the rear ) you will ruin the feel of the steering and make it impossibly heavy at low speeds, and if you are really out of luck you will find that they hit the inner front shields on full lock and when reversing, the car will climb up the revolving tyre with interesting , damaging and hilarious results . If the devil is really after you, this can also happen going forwards on full lock. Vredestein 185 HR 15 are quite acceptable to insurers and are relatively cheap

Post by **1954Etype** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 9:45 pm

Agree 100% with Chris. I ran 205s on my S1 and then went over to 185s. Different car!

64etype · Post by **64etype** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 9:57 pm

vipergts wrote:Anyone running 205/70's?

My favourite tyre would be Michelin XWX but they're well trumpy

I really need a cheaper tyre as its only for a splosher but modern tyres look......well too modern

Occasionally I come across a modern tyre that looks classic

Any ideas?

Sumitomo recently released their A/S PO2 line, which include a 205/65. The sidewall is relatively plain, and the tread isn't outrageously boy racer. Believe that size comes in a V rating.

http://www.sumitomotire.com/

Here's a link to a Classic Jaguar restoration with 215/65 Yokohamas on center laced wheels (the Sumitomo tire also comes in this size). Dan Mooney told me the rears required elimination of the bump stops and the mounting flanges. No issues on the front.

If the steering is too heavy, XKS Unlimited sell the electric power steering kit for a mere $2700///

http://classicjaguar.com/cj/bb.html

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 7:24 am

205/65 profile mean you have smaller radius tyres and you need higher rpm for the same speed.

Post by **Heuer** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:29 am

Speak to Dougal. You could consider Vredstein or some of the other odd stuff Longstone stock. They have red line and white line tyres although Dougal is not particularly complimentary about them! Avoid 205's at all cost on an S1/2 - it will turn a most beautifully handling car into a complete pig. But if you want to go slower ........................

Quattrofrank · Post by **Quattrofrank** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 12:17 pm

Is the difference in handling with 185 and 205 so different?
Cannot really see why getting more contact with the surface can be a bad thing. And if going with wider tyres meaning going slower, why did the lightweight have wider tyres, they should have been narrower?

Post by **Heuer** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 1:06 pm

The difference is huge, ask Angus. I have been on at him for years to dump the 205's for 185's and he only got around to it this year. He was stunned by the improvement and now only fits 185's on all his restorations refusing to have new 205's in the workshop. The reason is quite simple. The E-Type does not have variable camber steering like modern cars. Modern tyres have built up shoulders (they are square in section compared to the round of period tyres) to help keep more rubber in contact with the road and restore self centring. Putting modern 205's on the E-Type immediately causes the steering to weigh up and those square shoulders mean it will break away without warning if pushed too hard. They also cause tram-lining at speed. Norman Dewis did 1,000,000 miles of testing and did not suggest moving away from 185 tyres on the E-Type, at least until the S3. And that had power steering to compensate. A well driven E-Type with 185's would easily leave a 205 equipped car on a country road. I am about 5mph quicker with 185's than I was with 205's across some of my favourite routes.

As for the LWE's they were designed specifically for the race track in the hands of professional race drivers who had the advantage of constant practice and no vehicles coming the other way!

Quattrofrank · Post by **Quattrofrank** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 1:39 pm

Thanks for clearing that up. If I understand correctly the issue is more that a modern radial 205 is useless compared to 185. But if you buy classic 205`s its not that bad?

Is this correct, best at top and worst a bottom:
Classic 185`s
Classic 205`s
Modern 185`s
Modern 205`s

Post by **Heuer** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 2:14 pm

Sort of but more like this:

Michelin and Pirelli 185's
Other 185's
Michelin 205's (on the S3)
Modern 205's

Most 185 VR tyres are made to original specifications especially in the case of Michelin and Pirelli. I believe Dunlop RS5's are no longer available and no one knows if they ever will be again. They were made in the Dunlop Competition Department in Birmingham who specialised in short runs but it has now closed. I think Dunlop SP Sport tyres are now going to be made abroad (India?) but none are available yet. The 205/70's are all modern specification usually designed for hatchbacks and vans (hence they are cheap) with the exception of the Michelin XWX which is built the way it was back in the day but the cost reflects that at ?250 each.

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 3:15 pm

I've got hardly used XWX 205s on my S2, happy to swop for a set of 185s :D

vipergts · Post by **vipergts** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:52 pm

Gfhug wrote:I've got hardly used XWX 205s on my S2, happy to swop for a set of 185s :D

Well I'd be interested in your tyres

I've had 205/70 Avon C6z ? fitted to my last 2 E's and never once have they fouled anywhere. CAr drove really well I thought but they are a sticky compound

I prefer the wider look with center laced wires on a rdstr

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 7:23 pm

Vipergts, very happy to talk if you're serious.

If so please pm.

Shall admit my post was intended as a bit of fun, but I do seriously plan to change to 185s when funds allow.

Geoff

64etype · Post by **64etype** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:01 pm

I'm going to ask the tire shop to trial install the 205/65 Sumitomo PO2 on the front and 215/65's on the rear...the LWE (and Ferrari) look. If I don't like it, then either 215/65s all around or Vreds. Does anyone know the "representative" front and rear tire sizes used on the Lightweights and the competition E's? I'm mostly interested in diameter. I noted a photo of a painted wire wheel in the competition originality section that had a 185/70 tire mounted. By the way, I'm confident that the new Sumitomo line is a few steps up from the run of the mill hatchback or van tire....and virtually free besides.

gb2601 · Post by **gb2601** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 2:00 pm

Hello,

after reading the comments on the "bad" 205 tyres I would like to share our experience with the Vredestein tyres on our car.

We bought our Series 1 FHC in 2012 with 205 Pirelli tyres on it, which were very poor. Since we drive our car all year even in the winter time (as long as it is dry and no salt on the street) we opted for an all season tyre and got a set of Vredestein Quatrac 3.

These modern tyres handle extremely well on dry and wet conditions and we are very pleased how the car feels and performs. Up until now we have completed several thousand miles with them and had no problems at all. No interference on full lock or anything like it.

Since we live in Austria we usually drive many small and winding mountain roads, which is always fun and pleasure. I would like to ad that my wife does about 50% of the driving and she feels comfortable the way the car handles , allthough steering is heavy when the car ist standig or on very slow speeds.

Unfortunately we did not have a chance to drive a similar car with 185 tyres till today, so we cannot evaluate the difference. For us the car`s handling is fine and after competing in 12 regularity rallyes this year and winning both the Austrian Champinonship and the Jaguar Classic Cup I cannot say anything negative about them.

For those of you looking for a more classic look, check the Vredestein Sprint Classic. These are very common tiyes here in Austria and Germany. We have a set on our MK2 and they are great, too.

So I guess tire choice it is a matter of personal preference. There are very good reasons to fit 185, but our experience shows that 205 work and might be worth a second thought.

Regards,
George

Post by **Heuer** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 2:25 pm

You make a good point George - the 205 tyres are not bad and they do what they are supposed to do; they are good tyres. It is only when you take the chance to drive a car with 185's you realise how much better they make the E-Type. It is actually a complete revelation! I drove my car many thousands of miles, including the Rally des Alpes, with Yokohama 205's (deadly in the wet) and Pirelli P6000 (good all round) and was perfectly content. When they needed replacing I took the car up to Longstone Tyres asking for more of the same. Dougal told me in no uncertain terms I was a "complete plonker" (his customer service skills are second to none!) wanting to fit modern rubber. A spirited argument with several more insults ensued until he made me an offer I could not refuse. He would fit a set of 185's there and then and we would go out for a fast drive on the local back roads. If I was not smiling when we got back he would give me a set of 205's ......... for free; if I was smiling I would have to buy the Michelin XVS 185 he had fitted. I can't remember whether it was on the roundabout, first or second corner that I burst out laughing but the smile never left my face. I had never driven the E-Type so fast in my life with such total confidence. I bought the tyres and I have huge respect for Dougal, and his selling skills!

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 5:21 pm

Vipergts has found some Avons, so my low mileage Michelins are still available, do any S3 owners look on the S1 section and have any interest? If so I might formally put them up for sale.

neal herridge · Post by **neal herridge** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 3:46 pm

Has any one tried the Blockley 185 tyres that MWS now supply.

vikla · Post by **vikla** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:52 pm

Yes, I've got a set of 185 VR 15 Blockleys on standard new MWS 5" wheels.

I am very pleased with them regarding driving dynamics although I am no expert in this area.

I was pleasantly surprised with how good they look as well. They are designed for 5 1/2 " wheels and look really chunky on the 5" wheels.

neal herridge · Post by **neal herridge** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:44 am

Many thanks for the feed back Steve, looks like I may have a set of 205's going spare some time soon. I purchased them before I joined the forum, some four years ago.
I have 6" wide rims but I think the 185 will fit OK.

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