The 'E' Type Forum

Hello everybody,

In another of my post on cheap 205/70R15 tires I was explained that those tires would ruin the driving. Turns out the supplier could not supply 5 of them... go figure... so I preferred to look for another solution.

My local classic car club here in Italy told me that I could register my car with my "tires of choice" (better not to fit anything to small/wide...)so all of a sudden 205/65R15 V rated at 50-60Euro a corner became a possibility. Searched the internet to confirm this, and it appears they are correct. And here is too hoping that when I show up at the testing station, they agree... this is Italy after all.

When I searched the forum on experience with 205/65R15 tires, I could only find a post from Heuer dated 2012 came up in which he mentions that E type UK fits Falken 225/65R15's to their cars. A bit wide probably, especially when you want to drive the car mostly at a leisurely pace.

Since I could find on the forum that modern tires do not have a beneficial effect on the car's behaviour (heavy steering...) and the fact that the E type was developed with period tires so better to go "old school" 185/70R15 at a (considerable) cost, I was wondering if anybody had fitted 205/65R15 and what their experience was like.

I realize that lower tires will mess up the speedometer and performance of the car by 3% (my math isn't what is used to be so please be gentle) but is the only problem the one mentioned above aka E types drive better with 185/70R15 V rated (Michelin, Avon etc.) or are there other factors to consider?

Cheers
Jan

My car has Sumitomo 205/65 AS PO2 tires (H rated) on the front and their 205/70 touring tire on the rear. With a 3.07 final drive ratio, the speedometer error is very small (less than 4% by my calculation). The front tires are very responsive with excellent grip. Can't say much about the rear. Steering wheel effort is fairly high at a standstill, but I attribute some of that to the hub/center laced wheels on the car, which increase the offset appreciably from standard. The Sumitomos are very inexpensive in the U.S. and the AS PO2 has a loyal following among "spirited drivers" (see the Tire Rack website). As an aside, their AS PO2 in the 215/65 size will fit on a standard offset wheel at the rear, but should be used with a 6" wide rim. (They will not fit at the rear with a 6" hub laced wheel). No idea about interference at the front. I elected to use the 205/70 at the rear in order to keep speedometer error within reason, and because I like the way they fill out the wheel opening.

Jan,
as you already know original size was 185 80 15. Equivalent in circumference is the pervious mentioned 205 70. Although its true that the real feeling is lost with modern tyres, you can get away with careful selection.
Actual tyre width can vary significantly in the same range (eg 205); you will have to check visually since very few manufacturers give this dimension; less is better.
Load index is the number somewhere between 88 and 98, shows you if a tyre is suitable for the weight of the car and also is an indication of sidewall-stiffness and comfort; since the Etype is a lightweight by todays standards, go for the lowest number possible and avoid reinforced (C) tyres.
Rim width is determined by the tyre; for a 205 you are in the range between 5,5" and 6'5" which brings us to a topic of its own (see elsewhere on the forum). Since there ist not much room for wider tyres in the Etype, you will necessarily change the general steering geometry (frt and rear), which affects handling (and safety). Thats why at least in Austria you need an expert opinion/ attestation for wider tyres to make them legal (impossible)
Having said all that, I have to admit that the Etype looks better with filled wheelarches (mine still being on 5" with 185 Avon).

If 185/80 R15 is the same rolling diameter as 205/70 R15 I feel 205/65 R15 will be a little small - not by much but are still smaller.

Garry

Google tyre size calculator, eg
http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator/

Thanks!!!!
I was actually convinced that the correct tire size was 185/70R15, so thanks for correcting me!
I did a quick check on the very old 185/80 and 205/70 that I have lying around and could indeed confirm that there would be a considerable height difference.
A quick input in the tyresave calculator shows that a 185/80 tire gain in height would mean that I do not have to take the front suspension apart again to gain the missing height with the current set up. Which is a relief since I was quite sure that I had maxed it out already!

Again, thanks everybody!! This most definitely will help with my search.
Jan

After browsing the forum, I decided that a new set of 185/80R15's would be a good choice.
Googled for some price comparison and found that dunlop also has a Dunlop Sport Classic 185/80R15 93W tyre at 218 Euro each including shipping.
They have a rather more modern looking profile compared to the 185VR15 Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet.
Considering the comments found on the site that the E type set up benefits from classic radial tyres, does anybody have any experience with this "modern" Dunlop Classic tyres?




Cheers
Jan

Halve the cost with Vredesteins. They are a very good tyre, good grip dry and wet, excellent longevity. Proper profile and width for the car. Vintage tyres at Beaulieu are my local supplier. NAYYY.

I couldn't find any Vredesteins with a "V" speed index.
The "H" ones cost around 125Euro each so obviously a serious saving.
My concern is that in case they check at the MOT station, I will have to change tyres....

I've been through 4 m.o.t's with my vredensteins, at 2 different stations, and never had a problem with tyre rating.

Considering there were no speed indications on tyres in the 60's I would say fitting a "H" rated tyre is reasonable, especially as I don't see myself bringing my automatic 2+2 up to speeds higher then 210 kph.
The problem is that if a MOT staff checks the car's paperwork, which is their job, they will see that the E type should be capable of 240Kph and should have "V" tyres. Of course I could take a risk and hope for the best but I really do not fancy being stuck with "H" rated tyres to be sold as 2nd hand after 100km on the car...
Decisions, decisions...

One of my friend's Etype is legally fitted with Vredesteins, but I dont know about the handling characteristics.
At least they are less than half the price compared with Avons, Pirellis or Michelins.

As far as I can remember from an older post, David Jones (Heuer) has real life experience with different tyres on his car(s).
Ultimately it depends on what is important to you. You should check with the authorities beforehand, though.

I used my Vredensteins on a Goodwood track day. Pushing really hard. The picture shows me being chased by a mark 2 fitted with a 4.7 litre supercharged engine - my inside front wheel is getting light under cornering, but never let go and did me very well. I was never overtaken by any other E, but went past quite a few others. Handling was great.