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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MG Y Type - Radial tyres and 16 inch wheels.

Does anyone have experience of the 175x16 inch radials made for taxis? I am tempted to replace the old cross-plies on my YA with them as the cross plies are now over ten years old in one case.

I believe that they are 6-ply so worry that they will give a harder ride.

Has anyone found any other suitable 16 inch tyres at a reasonable price- the taxis are about £60 each, + tube.

As the Y is so low geared I would like to find a 185x16 tyre to fit that is not in the £1-200 each range. The 175 is about the same rolling radius as the original tyres. Has anyone experience of larger tyres? Do they fit without rubbing? Are the rims adequate for them?

If not, has anyone found a more modern steel wheel that fits and looks right? I have seen 16inch, 5 stud steel wheels on both Mondeos and Vectras, and yesterday I saw a VW transporter with them which I think will have 5 studs. I haveen't been able to check the PCD of these to see if the stud pitch matches. Fitting the hub caps would be a problem for a back-street bodger like me, but not insurmountable.
Michael Nicholson

Hi Michael,

Are your tyres worn or cracked with age? Just being 10 years old would NOT frighten me at all. If tyres are used frequently(ish) and stored in a dark(ish) garage, they should age gracefully and can be used longer than ten years if you want to spend your budget on something else on the Y..

Please don't consider the Taxi tyres, they will probably ruin an already harsh ride. I'm a certified cheapskate; my frugalness would be frowned upon by the Scottish, but when it comes to tyres even I don't compromise.

When I bought tyres for my YA I bought the Dunlop 5.00-5.25/16 because of the larger diameter (as opposed to the Avon) but I found them rather sturdy.

If I were to buy four tyres now, I would go for the Michelin 550-16 (175/80R16). They have the advantage of being a radial and look very "vintage". If not available I'd buy the 5.50-16 Avon which apparently is somewhat softer.

Pricewise the Michelins are 117.50 pounds, the other serious contender (but cross-ply) Avon is 95,00, the Dunlop is 89.50. So for max. 240 pounds extra you can be proud of your tyres, instead of excusing yourself all the time?

Strangely the Dunlop 5.00/5.25-16 has the largest diameter at 709mm. Michelin 690, Avon 691.

Michelin link:
http://www.vintagetyres.com/display.asp?K=20080604_2756_000274&tag=BCLSFX2X4X3946894DDXWM&m=68&ds=michelin&dc=129&sort=sort_size&mw=1&st_01=michelin&sf_01=manufacturer
Avon link:
http://www.vintagetyres.com/display.asp?K=20080604_2756_000273&sf1=manufacturer&st1=Avon&sort=sort_size&ds=Avon&m=27&dc=57
Willem van der Veer

Michael, be careful in selecting larger tires. Since you have a YA, the spare tire compartment is very tight. My car originally had bias ply 6.00x16 tires and they wouldn't fit in the spare compartment. I replaced them with original specification Dunlap 5.25x16, and the fit was tight but did work. The moral is that your larger radials may be too fat to go into the compartment.

Ross Schlabach
Ross Schlabach

I have in the past run 175R16 tyres on standard 3" rims with no problem with clearance or fit.

The issue in Australia is a legal one - if your insurer discovers the rim width is not within the recommended range for that size tyre - they will deny any claims against the insurance. This includes both your private and compulsory insurance - a horrifying thought and not worth the risk !.

So to remain legal, but take advantage of the superior safety and ride comfort of radials, here we have fitted wide steel rims to the original Y-Type wheel centres.

All up cost to fit wider rims and buy a set of 175/R16 radials, is the same as a new set of Bias-Ply 5.25-16 tyres.

So for the same money you get superior safety and performance, and it's legal.
Tony Slattery

Ross,
Thanks for your warning. I was aware of the problem; my spare 5.25x16 has to be squeezed in already but Plan A is to carry the spare deflated, and an electric pump, and plan B is to keep the existing spare, although this is just a bit illegal here once it is fitted as a running wheel.

Michael
Michael Nicholson

This thread was discussed between 07/06/2008 and 08/06/2008

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