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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 145 80 R13 - recommendations.

Hi

Anyone got experience please of Falken Sincera SN832 or Blockley tyres, both in 145 80 R13? Might be the more tempting than Uniroyal RainExpert 3 or the far more pricey MIchelin XAS or Pirelli Cinturato CA67.

https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/145r13

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/austin-healey/sprite.html

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m73b0s357p0/Car_Tyres_-_MPV_Tyres_-_People_Carrier_Tyres_-_13_inch_R13_inch_-_145_80_13_145_80R13_R13_inch_-_145_13_145R13

Thoughts?

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

There has been a thread about the Rain Xperts before. I find mine a bit 'squishy' under hard cornering. I think its the lack of stiffness in the side walls.

They have plenty of grip and they give a nice ride but there are probably better tyres out there.
Chris Madge

Mike,
someone bought the Blockleys last year (for autosolo IIRC) but never reported back. Having meet the chap at the NEC and given the 1,000 mile guarantee I'd jump at the Blockleys plus he told me his 145/80 r13 tyres are nearer to the original crossply size.

If I'd have known they'd fit my 5" rims (despite what he had on his website, he's a character) I'd have had them on my midget instead of my third choice of tyres from the shortages of supplies.
Nigel Atkins

I have the Falken Sincera on the Frogeye. Seem OK to me but I've nothing to compare them with as they've been on it since renovation. I think they look "period" enough.
Bill Bretherton

"I think its the lack of stiffness in the side walls. "

Yep that was me on the rain x' 3s thread.

Had them on the rear of my Sprite as recommended, and my ar*e end went fishing at the slightest touch of my steering wheel. Corners were lethal. Put them on the front though and they are ok. I was going to put them back on the rear as a test, now they've done some miles, to see if they improved when 'run in'. But can't be bothered.

Not sure if the fishing was because of soft side walls, or the asymetric treads.

But I won't get them again.
anamnesis

Summer, winter or all season Mike?

Some people don't use their Spridgets in the winter. Isn't a summer tyre then a better choice for them?

Or an all season tyre?

anamnesis

The Blockleys was me earlier this year. Search the archive I thought I'd put in some feedback previously.

However the headline is that I'm very happy with them. You do need to be aware they are taller than other 80s (Blockley say the correct height) so my speedo is now reading nearly 10% low.
Jeremy Cogman

Sorry Jeremy my mistake, you've jogged my memory, IIRC you reported back that you'd got them went for a short drive and then used them on an Autosolo(?) rather than the take it steady for 30 miles and the 1,000 miles drive as you like for the money back offer.

Have you reached the 1,000 miles?
Nigel Atkins

I found the Uniroyal RainExperts wore out rather quickly, especially on the outside edges of the fronts. Makes sense if the sidewalls are squishy. I have Kumhos now but they are 165/70/13. Seem OK.
Les Rose

No as I recall I did about 50-60 miles before the Autosolo. I've now done about 5-600 and am very happy with them.

I make take the car out over the Christmas break and it will be interesting to see what they are like in mud (I live down a country lane) and the cold.
Jeremy Cogman

Just learned what "autosolo" means. I'm constantly learning from the bbs!
Bill Bretherton

Jeremy,
sorry, my bad memory again, for some reason I thought you didn't even do 30m before taking them on the autosolo. Great to hear you're happy with them. I remember the chap saying they were bigger with more rubber on them but I was a bit surprised to see they were so much bigger that they give 10% on the speedo, what tread depth did they start with, or at now?
Nigel Atkins

Mike,

I have had Pirelli Cinturatos on for ten years now (so they should really be changed) but have been very happy with them. However they're a little wider at 155 rather the 145 you're considering.
Jeremy MkIII

How nany miles have the Cinturatos covered Jeremy?
anamnesis

Sorry Anam,
just read your post. Not many, about 10,000. They're more likely to need to be replaced because of age rather than wear🤨
Jeremy MkIII

Maybe not Jeremy.😉

https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/old-tires-might-not-be-as-dangerous-as-you-think-if-you-store-them-correctly/
anamnesis

Bit lost there, the Hagerty that looked at tires (so not the UK one off the A5 at Pury Hill) was testing 7 year old tyres and put "Bridgestone, Michelin, Dunlop, and Continental—agree that 10 years is the maximum lifespan for a properly maintained set of tires." So this goes against the may be not to yes as "10 years is the maximum lifespan for a properly maintained set of tires". For tires at least in USA, perhaps tyres in UK are different.
Nigel Atkins

Having a bit of fun to trigger reactions Nigel. 😉😉 Nudge nudge.

All I said was maybe not.

My rears are Michellens, and are way over 10 years old. They still grip, and aren't cracked (visibly). Sadly the tread is reaching the limit, hence I may be looking for a pair of 165/70s meself in 2023. It definitely won't be another pair of rain x, or any other asymetric/softwall though.

Must find the date code and see just how old my tryes are; and report back, just for fun. 😁

anamnesis

whoooosh !

I'd definitely go for the Blockleys 145/80 r13, the grip is from the 'rubber' rather than the width and with a road car and driver you don't need 165 and they'd be less fun.
Nigel Atkins

But then I'd have to buy 5 including the spare. Yep I still carry one, being an old fogey. Lol.
anamnesis

So buy 5 and rotate them, what's the use of having a 5th that sits in the boot unused for years on end.
Nigel Atkins

Yes, that’s what I do with mine.
Philip Sellen

Because I've got 2 almost new 165 rain x on the front.

Pity Blockley don't do 165 if they are as good as said to be.
anamnesis

They do 165HR13 but at "full 80 profile". - https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/165hr13

For gawd's sake, with the money you've got live a little before you die, write-off the 165 rain x to experience and perhaps pass them on to someone that deserves them (in whatever way you think that fits).

Get some enjoyment out of the Sprite before you have to get rid of it (or leave it taking up space in the garage).
Nigel Atkins

Well that's a shame. If they did 70s I'd be tempted to abandon a lifetime of tightness, and consider doing what you suggest Nigel. But, only tempted, and only consider. Tight fist wins everytime. 😄😄.

Besides, my T9 speedo ratio with 70's is pretty accurate, and I can't be doing with the hassle of either getting the speedo calibrated, or fiddling with the t9 ratio again.

And, I'll continue to enjoy it far more before I get rid, if I haven't failed to get every last pennyworth's mile, out of every tyre before getting shot of them; including the rain x, which as mentioned are fine on the front. 😁😁





anamnesis

I’ve had the original V patterned Rain Experts on my mk3 Sprite, but after 11 years I had to replace them, but they are no longer available, having been superseded by Rain Expert 3s. But after all the negative comments on here about 3s I asked my friend Les Robinson what he was using. He has the Falken Sincera 832s and is very happy with them, so I bought a set of 4. I’ve not been out in the car yet due to some bodywork repairs, but hopefully they should be OK.
The original V patterned REs were superb both in ride quality and handling, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the Falken compare.
Bernie.
b higginson

This thread was discussed between 19/12/2022 and 04/01/2023

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