Tyres

[Jackinthebox]

Tyres on my Toledo are of an undeterminate age, I can't even find a date code on them. Their size is 155 SR13 78S and are Dunlop SP Elites. I would prefer a tyre that has the more traditional tread pattern and not top of the range as the mileage I do the tyres would never wear out before they are 10 years old. I do little motorway or high speed driving.

[Carledo]

If you have SP Elites fitted, i'm pretty sure they must be positively ANCIENT, i've not seen one for years! And they weren't all that good when they were new, now they will be bordering on lethal!

I'm not convinced a "traditional" looking tyre is the best way to go, for grip, for life, for safety, anything really! Tyre technology has come a long way in the last 40 years and IMO we would be daft to ignore that for the sake of a "look"!

And low mileage equates to the ability to use something nice and sticky without worrying overmuch about it wearing out too fast for comfort!

A good step up would be a 175/70/13, as fitted standard to Sprints, the rolling radius is a near perfect match so no worries about speedo error and a more useful contact patch than the stock 155s. A couple of weeks ago, I got 4 Kumhos in that size for £168, fitted and balanced, which I thought was pretty fair and the TR7 I put them on seemed very happy with them!

Steve

[Jackinthebox]

Thanks Steve, better get my wallet out

[triumphdolomiteuk]

Doesn't the Tolly have 4.5J rims? Aren't 175s going to be a bit wide for them? I'm about to put hand in pocket for some Dunlop Street Response 2s (155 80 R13 79T) which should come in at under £50 each fitted.

[Carledo]

Back in the day, I used to run 175/70s on 4" Herald rims without any problems, these days they are also a tad cheaper than a 155/80.

My own personal opinion of Dunlop tyres, garnered over 45 years of experience, is that they are not much cop for something marketed as a premium brand. There was a time when, if I bought a car fitted with Dunlop tyres, i'd get them changed ASAP, regardless of tread left! That was in the days of the SP Sport, when every other tyre they made had a carcass defect! Nowadays i'm not quite so picky as the quality HAS gone up a bit, but I won't willingly buy Dunlop when there are better AND cheaper tyres available!

Steve

[cliftyhanger]

Steve, Dunlop seem very well rated these days, just about top dogs
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessorie ... -car-tyres

Seriously thinking of fitting them to our modern car. Then again I am tempted by michelin Crossclimates, that have been nothing short of excellent on a couple of trackdays in wet/damp conditions. Very good in the dry too, though sadly not available in 13"

[triumphdolomiteuk]

On my "modern" runabout, I have Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. Fantastic grip, I can throw the car into a bend (even on a wet road) at silly speeds (legal of course) and come out the other side smiling. Sadly not available for 13" wheels though. Well recommended for modern cars. However, back on topic, ALL Triumph cars fitted with STEEL wheels had their wheels made by Dunlop Automotive Wheels in Coventry and I believe that they (mostly) had Dunlop tyres fitted as standard, even if back in the day they were ditchfinders. However, modern Dunlop tyres do seem to be highly regarded, at least according to the online reviews, hence my choice of purchase.

[TrustNo1]

Costco do 175/70/13 (Michelin I think ) for about £30 each but don't stock them or list them so need ordering.

[marko]

Doesn't the Tolly have 4.5J rims? Aren't 175s going to be a bit wide for them? I'm about to put hand in pocket for some Dunlop Street Response 2s (155 80 R13 79T) which should come in at under £50 each fitted.

I have these all round and they're smashing tyres. I was so happy with the fronts that I bought the rears. In original size but on 5j wheels and only £92 a pair at Save On Tyres.

[cliftyhanger]

Back to the OP.
Nothing wrong with 155 80 13 tyres, they are essentially identical size to the originals. And they work extremely well....
Plenty of decent mid-range tyres out there, and all will be a million times better than the old tyres currently fitted (ie when some old bint pulls out in front of you, you have a much better chance of not sliding into her. This is recent personal experience, seems I shouldn't be driving an old car and surely her joining a main road from a side street meant I should give way....)

[soe8m]

I use kumho light bus tyres. 155/80/13. These have an old pattern look alike and are very good in the wet and dry on a dolomite. These are on my 1300 and the firmer side wall cause less roll and flex and give better handling as the "normal" tyres. They are as comfortable as normal tyres.

[Jackinthebox]

Thanks for all the advice, I've contacted my tyre supplier and they will not fit 175 tyres to the Toledo rim which is only a 4J width. I am going with Firestone 155/80/13 £38 all in. Getting them fitted in the morning.

[TrustNo1]

Thanks for all the advice, I've contacted my tyre supplier and they will not fit 175 tyres to the Toledo rim which is only a 4J width. I am going with Firestone 155/80/13 £38 all in. Getting them fitted in the morning.

Never heard of a fitter refusing to fit when the difference is that small. did he say why?

[Jackinthebox]

Apparently tyre manufacturers specify a minimum width of 41/2J rims for 175s.

[TrustNo1]

Apparently tyre manufacturers specify a minimum width of 41/2J rims for 175s.

fair enough, I knew there was a recommendation but wouldn't had though a 175 on a 4' rim would be a problem but then I'm not a tyre fitter.