Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Technical advice Q&A

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Durango2k
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#1 Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by Durango2k » Mon Mar 11, 2019 10:18 pm

... I can get (all are 185/80 VR 15):

- the Dunlop for 238 €
https://www.reifendirekt.de/rshop/Reife ... W/R-341497

- the Michelin XVS for 249 €
https://www.reifentiefpreis24.de/sommer ... timer.html

- the Cinturato CA67 for around 300 € quid
https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/185vr1 ... -ca67.html

I am inclined towards the Michelin being a Citroen man. Longstone recommends the Pirelli CA67, but I am not sure if the video is not a bit old now, because at the beginning he says that Dunlop does not make classic tyres anymore. Seems they do now again ?

The Dunlop won a german car mag oldtimer tyre test in summer 2018, also testing a Nankang and a Maxxis tyre. The Dunlop won, with a clear wording towards it. The Michelin tested was the XWX, and only came 5th of 6.

So - being in the same ballpark- Dunlop or Michelin ?

Carsten

P.S. Rims will be 5“. The german MOT man was in my shed, and said yes I can also use 5.5 or maybe 6“ rims, buuuut it has to be 185 tyres anyway. So, I‘ll keep the car original in that aspect, plus save some money because the 5.5 is way more expensive then the 5“ which are on offer at Limo in germany now.

No idea about how Brexit, if it happens, will do to Jag spare part prices...
Jag E '66 S1 2+2, 74’Citroen DS 23 Pallas iE, 73’ Citroen SM 3.0, 75’ Concept Centaur MK1, 54’ Citroen 11 BL, 71‘ Velosolex, 88‘ Unimog U1650

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chrisfell
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#2 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by chrisfell » Tue Mar 12, 2019 7:25 am

I saved money, I buy Vredesteins. They are a goodtyre, despite what others say.
Chris '67 S1 2+2

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#3 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by abowie » Tue Mar 12, 2019 8:14 am

I like my Nankangs.

:twisted:
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#4 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by johnetype » Tue Mar 12, 2019 8:22 am

I bought 185 Vreds and have been very pleased with them. They would certainly save you a lot of money over the tyres you propose.
John

1969 Series 2 FHC

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#5 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by malcolm » Tue Mar 12, 2019 9:40 am

I like my Vreds - good on the road, good on the track, but a bit skittish in the wet; or is that just the E Type?
Malcolm
I only fit in a 2+2, so got one!
1969 Series 2 2+2
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#6 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by christopher storey » Tue Mar 12, 2019 10:35 am

Vredestein are best value. I have never noticed any adverse wet weather behaviour with them on 3 different cars - but - I am no longer much of a "press on" driver, particularly in the wet

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#7 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by Durango2k » Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:36 pm

I forgot to say that sadly the Vredestein is not road legal on an E-Type. It is classified as a summer tyre, which means it must meet the car‘s vmax plus a surplus.

Being H rated means 210 VMax for the tyre, but at least officially an E-Type, even my 2+2, can beat that.

So... no way for it.

I still wonder why / how Limora / SC do offer them in their package deals ? They also have Blockley.

Carsten
Jag E '66 S1 2+2, 74’Citroen DS 23 Pallas iE, 73’ Citroen SM 3.0, 75’ Concept Centaur MK1, 54’ Citroen 11 BL, 71‘ Velosolex, 88‘ Unimog U1650

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#8 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by Heuer » Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:53 pm

I have Dunlop SP Sports on my FHC and Michelin XVS on my OTS. The Dunlop's fill the wheel arches out better and look fatter than the XVS. However if you like driving enthusiastically the XVS's are the clear winner as they instill more confidence and hold the road better especially in the wet. They are also more comfortable at high speed on a motorway as the asymmetric track pattern stops the car wandering. Only downside to the XVS's is the soft sticky rubber does wear quicker but then you have the great handling. Michelin produce them mainly for Formula France race cars.
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB; S1 FHC ODB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red

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#9 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by Durango2k » Tue Mar 12, 2019 5:12 pm

David,

That ws exactly what I was hoping for - solid advice.

I‘ll „stick“ with the Michelins, then.

Thanks !

Carsten
Jag E '66 S1 2+2, 74’Citroen DS 23 Pallas iE, 73’ Citroen SM 3.0, 75’ Concept Centaur MK1, 54’ Citroen 11 BL, 71‘ Velosolex, 88‘ Unimog U1650

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#10 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by Mich7920 » Tue Mar 12, 2019 6:22 pm

I had Pirelli and I change for Michel XVS.
Great difference. More soft and more confortable.
Mich
Michel
1965 E Type FHC - On the road / 1963 E Type OTS - on the road after Angus Restoration

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#11 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by politeperson » Tue Mar 12, 2019 6:26 pm

Lets see some pictures of your wheel arches with the different tyres on David, please.
Its true, but Enzo never said it
Too many E types
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#12 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by JJC » Sun Mar 17, 2019 8:16 pm

They are all suitable tires, and in the end, it comes down to availability, what can you afford, and taste. Can't really make a mistake. Always a bit of brand loyalty for sure.

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#13 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by Heuer » Mon Mar 18, 2019 10:18 am

This is my FHC - 5" wheels fitted with Dunlop SP Sport 185's:
Image
Image

This is my OTS with 5" wheels and Michelin XVS:
Image
Image
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB; S1 FHC ODB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red

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#14 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by Jaglex » Thu Mar 28, 2019 3:53 pm

Did anybody try/test the Radar DIMAX CLASSIC?
In 185/80 VR 15 they cost as much as 4 Dunlops - according to the bay.
Maybe one can use these at least for 3 or 4 years and then buy new ones ending up with a better tire than a 5 year old (or even elder) Dunlop...
Ser. 1.5 DHC LHD

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#15 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by ALAN COCHRANE » Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:41 pm

I’m just in the process of changing my tyres which are Vredstein Sprint Classics but now 13 years old. I’m also very happy with them so will be replacing like for like.
Like Christopher my driving doesn’t justify spending £1,000 + on new tyres.
Carsten you can also get V rated Sprint Classics for around £160 a corner. They are rated to 270kmh so should be legal in your country.
The cheapest I’ve found for H rated tyres is £112 a corner with free p&p from Round Trip tyres. Anyone used them before?
I’m lucky to have a classic car garage close at hand who can fit and balance wires properly.

Cheers

Alan
Alan Cochrane

1961 S1 OTS,1968 Triumph TR250, 1971 Triumph GT6 Mk3, 2008 Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder

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#16 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by Durango2k » Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:47 pm

I am quite stuck to Michelin, because I know from personal experience that they could last 20 yrs plus... have them on my 11, about 25 yrs old, they do their job (never tested in the wet, though 😀).

So, I just bought a set of 4.

ebay germany runs a 10% off until 31.3., so I paid 890 E incl. freight for a set of 4. Given the rebate for the rims from Limora at 1.260 E / set of 4, its about 2.150 E for a full set, say 2000 pounds. Still a lot of money, but thats it.

I‘ll re-use the best „antique tyre“ the car came on as a spare. Their rubber turned to concrete of course, but they‘ll take me home or near. It does not matter if that tyre goes flat as well, and I‘ll have another 4 to drop into that game :-)

Carsten
Jag E '66 S1 2+2, 74’Citroen DS 23 Pallas iE, 73’ Citroen SM 3.0, 75’ Concept Centaur MK1, 54’ Citroen 11 BL, 71‘ Velosolex, 88‘ Unimog U1650

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#17 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by Barry » Thu Mar 28, 2019 7:52 pm

Go with the Michelin’s! Also, David Jones advice is spot on. Saving money for a cheaper tyre option which may “do the job” is never the brightest idea. Tyres are the only contact you have with the road, so yes, get the Michelin’s for handling, and authenticity the Dunlops.

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#18 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by PeterCrespin » Fri Mar 29, 2019 9:46 am

Durango2k wrote:
Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:47 pm
I am quite stuck to Michelin, because I know from personal experience that they could last 20 yrs plus... have them on my 11, about 25 yrs old, they do their job.
If by doing their job you mean preventing your chrome rims from rubbing on the road surface for 25 years you may be right - though I’ve never tried. If, on the other hand, their job is to provide safe use of a powerful car at speed, I cannot accept they would be definitely safe and I would not carry my family on tyres a third of that age. You certainly would never get Michelin to agree beyond 8-10 years, if that.

The E-Type is not 2CV or even an SM. Felix and his mother deserve to be on good rubber and buying tyres to last 25 years is for museums not motorists.
1E75339 UberLynx D-Type; 1R27190 70 FHC; 1E78478; 2001 Vanden Plas

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#19 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by Heuer » Fri Mar 29, 2019 10:07 am

The Government are planning to introduce an age limit for tyres on commercial vehicle's and buses. I have no doubt legislation on cars will quickly follow although .........

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#20 Re: Which 185 tyre: Dunlop or Pirelli or Michelin ?

Post by ALAN COCHRANE » Fri Mar 29, 2019 12:29 pm

I would not class the Vredsteins as a lesser tyre just because they are cheaper. In addition they look the part and provide a very comfortable ride. I have passed the age age of seat of the pants driving so they are more than capable of doing the job with room to spare.
I think it’s long overdue for there to be a legal age limit for tyres here in the UK. I’m surprised the insurance companies haven’t stipulated this already.

Cheers

Alan
Alan Cochrane

1961 S1 OTS,1968 Triumph TR250, 1971 Triumph GT6 Mk3, 2008 Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder

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