Forum for discussion of the MG factory 6 cylinder, the MGC.
Hi all, I'm getting ready for some tires to fit my new 15 x 5.5 Dunlop/MWS wheels. Can any of you help with what size to get? I definitely don't want rubbing issues, just a good, affordable, usable size for this slightly wider rim.
Thanks,
Scott
Scott
Years ago I purchased the 15.5 wire wheels and installed 185x70 tires and had some rubbing problems on the rear. I purchased them from British Wire Wheel and they change them out for the standard 15 wheel and I had no further problems.If I remember correctly the off set is different on the 15.5 as they were made for the Triumph TR6 and most likely other cars. There were no problems with the rear springs or shocks so the wider wheel was the problem. I chose the 185/70 as it is the closest to the original factory tire diameter. The 165Rx15 was 25.6" in dia with a cross section of 6.3" The 185/70 has a dia. of 25.5 with a cross section of 7.7" These figures are from the Coker Tire book. You can see with the extra 1.4" in the cross section there could be a problem with a wider wheel as this expands the width of an already wider tire I am not sure as Coker does not list the 65 series tire but I think the 65 series tire is even wider and smaller in diameter.
Gary
Scott,
I bought the Vredestein Sport Classic 185-15 for my GT, running the Dayton 15" wires, and had slight rubbing on compression of the suspension.
Then got the same tire in the 185/70-15 and the rub went away completely. Still running them now, and love them.
(Put the first set on the XKE and they also are perfect, without any clearance problems.)
Highly recommend them.
Dana
Is anyone here running the 15.5 MWS/Dunlops with success? If so, what tire size?
It seems to me they didn't have straight 15s available when I bought them
I agree that the 185/70 R15 would be the best choice if you go up from 5" wheels to 5.5", but as far as I know only Vredstein and Michelin are making this size, and they are VERY expensive now.
That's why I recommended 185/65 R15 - the difference in diameter is not significant, and they are widely available with great choice of brands and prices.
When I bought my car I had the original 5" wheels, and put 195/65, with not rubbing issues at all. However, when I changed the wheels to MWS 5.5" width, with the very same tires, I get slight rubbing when turning hard. Probably has to do with the different offset of the MWS, but also the change of profile of the tire when mounted on a wider rim.
Therefore, I would recommend the 185/65's for this setup.
Reg.
Koby
That's just the sort of info I was looking for.
Thanks again Koby,
Scott
Hi
Running on dunlop 5.5 inch and agree with Koby - 185/65 R15's are the way to go. Good choice of tyres in this size and easier to find than 185/70's.
James
Scott:
You got me confused. Never heard of a 15.5" wheel size before. Seen 10", 12", 13", 14", 15", 16", 16.5", etc. Even 390 mm and 400 mm.
I expect you mean 15X5, or a 15" diameter X 5" wide. Sorry to be a stickler for details, but that could be important.
The original tire size for the MGC was 165HR15. That was a 165 mm wide radial tire having an 82% aspect ratio (design height from rim to road was 82% of the width) with an H-speed rating (maximum 130 mph) on a 15" wheel.
Better replacement tire is a 185/70HR15 tire. Currently available from Vredestien, maybe others. Carries the weight of the MGC nose much better. Personally I think this should be considered minimum for the MGC.
Optional sizes with various degrees of accuracy: 175/75HR15, 185/65HR15, 196/65HR15, 205/60HR15 and 215/60HR15.
Wheel rim of 5" width may not be approved for wider than 185 section width, depending on the tire manufacturer. 5.5" wide may be minimum for 195 wide and 6" minimum for 205 wide.
Rubbing will be an issue if 195 or wider tires are fitted to wheels that do not have the proper offset, including the MiniLite replicas. Dayton had a 6" wide that had the offset adjusted to fit and even 205 wide tires did not rub with them.
Dana: The 185HR15 is the original size tire for the Series I XKE, but is WAY oversized for the MGC! It will rub on the wings of an MGC, but a 185/70HR15 will not, if the wheels are correct.
C Ya,
Mark
Hello, Scot,
i use the MWS/Dunlop 15 x 5,5 with Vredestein 165R15 tires. It works fine for me on the tourer we have.
Wil
They're boxed up at the moment but I remember tags attached to each wheel that said 'these must be run with tubes' or something to that effect. I bought them last year, new, from BHive in the UK so I'd think they are recent stock.
FWIW, their web site clearly states that all their wheels are tubless since 2008....third box down
http://www.mws.co.uk/FitmentGuide/DisplayEntry.asp?CarId=FG000074&Make=MG&CarYear=
"
As of January 2008 this wheel is available tubeless only in both finishes. If you have the older, tubed wheels you will need 175/185R15 tubes and we recommend 15" rim bands.
"
Mine must have been old stock or something. It was the only set in their FL warehouse so who knows how old they were. I got a heck of a deal... ;)
They will have sealer over the spoke nuts on the rim. [url=http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php]
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I remember reading a while back, here I think, that the tubeless wheels have a different inner profile with a safety lip built in. I didn't see that on these. The sealant over the spokes had come along before the tubeless option to keep moisture out if memory serves.
You got it Scott. MWS are sealed. First to keep out moisture and later post 2008 to keep air in without tubes.
Pretty sure, although mine are new in the package, they are old. Older than 2008? The following photos should offer clues. First off, I don't see the silicone sealing on the spokes and the tag clearly states they need to be used with tubes...
A bigger question, for me at least, is whether this is what's referred to as a machined rear face?
Just heard back from MWS, there is a date code stamped on the wheels. Mine is WIL 07 05. That means these are July 2005 vintage and do not benefit from the updates they've made since '06.
Look to be very nice, I don't have any issues with tubes. [url=http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php]
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