MG TD tire size

[Wilson Fesmire]

Glad to finally get on to this site.

I have a MG TD kit car with Michlein 165 SR 15 tires on it.  They look new but are dry rotted.

What new size tire can I replace them with and look about like the old tires do.

[Paul Mossberg]

Hi Wilson,

Welcome aboard!

Search for the same size. Actually, 165/80 R 15.
185s will work too, but will be a little wider.
They exist, but likely not at your local STS.

Here’s one source to get you started:

http://www2.cip1.com/searchresults.asp?cat=1266

PMOSSBERG2013-03-30 12:31:29

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Marc Lipsius]

My car originally came with 135’s, about 3/4″ lesser diameter, standard on the older VWs.
With the new 165s on, my tires rub on the fenders making a sharp turn (still haven’t elevated my car yet with an adjustable beam).

[Paul Mossberg]

If you want to check the tire codes to see when they were manufactured:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/how-to-read-a-tire-sidewall-feature

Item 14 is the DOT number, which includes week and year of manufacture.

General guide is if they are older than five years, it’s time to replace them

PMOSSBERG2013-03-30 16:31:25

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[KentT]

I just replaced the tires on the one I bought — though there was plenty of tread left, they’d started to crack from dryrot between the lines of tread.  It had 185/65SR15 Falken steel-belted radials and I replaced them with the same size Nexen N5000 tires from Walmart. Inexpensive, but pretty weill rated in reviews.  They’re not quite as wide as the Falkens that were on it, and look to fit these narror rims pretty well. Ordered them online and they were delivered to my local Walmart in a couple days.  I can’t give an indepth review since I don’t have the car on the road yet…

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Nexen-15836NXK/19474015

Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...

[Jonathan Annear]

The tires I have on mine now are 6.00 X15L.  I sourced out a set of 165/80R15s from WalMart which were also Nexens.  Are reading that you have 185s on yours, will these tires be too small?  I’d rather have a larger tire if possible for handling reasons.
BIGBAND392013-06-24 13:24:04

[Paul Mossberg]

165/80R15s are fine.

 

The 185s will be slightly wider.

 

It’s really your call. Both will work.

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Jonathan Annear]

Which size do you run on your Duchess, PMossberg? Mine have the original 6.00×15 tires. I just don’t want them to rub.

[Paul Mossberg]

I have 165/80R15

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[edward ericson]

165s will handle very well if everything else is in order

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