SP250 Tyre Choice Limited

[Reedweaver]

I am finding the tyre choice limited to either re-mortgaging for 180HR15 Michelin XAS or having a 185/65/15 fitted. I have Dunlop wires on 5 1/2" K rims with 185/65/15 tyres at the moment.

I have re-worked the front suspension on my Dart with new coils/shocks etc and now I have more space between the arches and the 185/65 look a little lost. I really need a 185/80/15, but I don’t have much clearance on the driver side due a fibreglass rebuild 20 years ago that wasn’t quite done right! I can see the Dremel coming out...

I have searched the forum and found a lot of posts regarding tyre choices. Has anyone had any experience with the Vredestein Sprint Classics(£130 each) or the Retro Classic 001s (£100 each).

I am looking to spend around £700 for 5x fully fitted with rim tape and offset tubes etc. I have a 42mm balancing cone for the wires as well.

Any recommendations for other would be much appriciated!

[John-B]

I am finding the tyre choice limited to either re-mortgaging for 180HR15 Michelin XAS or having a 185/65/15 fitted. I have Dunlop wires on 5 1/2" K rims with 185/65/15 tyres at the moment.

I have re-worked the front suspension on my Dart with new coils/shocks etc and now I have more space between the arches and the 185/65 look a little lost. I really need a 185/80/15, but I don’t have much clearance on the driver side due a fibreglass rebuild 20 years ago that wasn’t quite done right! I can see the Dremel coming out...

I have searched the forum and found a lot of posts regarding tyre choices. Has anyone had any experience with the Vredestein Sprint Classics(£130 each) or the Retro Classic 001s (£100 each).

I am looking to spend around £700 for 5x fully fitted with rim tape and offset tubes etc.

I was in a similar situation in 2015 as I also thought the Pirelli Cinturatos looked too small in the wheel arch and I had just bought some steel wheels 5" and 5.5". I also thought Michelin XAS tyres too expensive, so I bought Vredestein Classic Sprint 185 HR15 91H tyres that have a larger diameter 674mm 26.5" dia from Oponeo at £320 for four (2015). They also make 89H 641mm dia. 25.24" dia but I preferred the 91H.

They look a bit agricultural compared with the smoother tread of the XAS and a post on the old forum said the Vredestein tended to wander but I haven't found that they do. The conclusion was that the XAS was better but a lot more expensive. For limited mileage and no racing, the Vredesteins are perfectly OK.

I had tubes fitted and the wheels balanced.

I ran them at first at 28psi as at 31psi on bad roads the car seemed to jump. However, recently I decided the effort to turn corners was a bit high so I've set them at 30psi.

I've never had a problem with the front tyres touching anything but the turning circle may be a bit less, but it isn't a problem. Note, you may find that the larger tyre doesn't fit in the boot space, so I use one of the smaller Pirelli Cinturatos as a spare.

Years ago, in 1970, I got 185/15 Avons fitted and the tyres hit the rear wheel arch over bad bumps, but the springs were soggy then. I increased the bump stop with a spacer.

Pirelli Cinturatos in cream 4" wheels, then Vredestein 185/15 tyres in 5" front and 5.5" rear silver wheels.

[Jez]

I have the Vredestein Sprint Classics and have been very pleased with them. I have set the front suspension camber to approx zero degrees, but otherwise everything is standard.

Cheers - Jez

[Reedweaver]

Many thanks, the pictures are great!

I may well indeed go with the Sprint Classics..

[Fossil]

Around half the Darts on the 2014 Scottish Tour were shod with Vredesteins, they seem very popular.

Have you looked at Blockleys? Another possible size is 185/70R15, not quite as high as 185/80 but they look good. I think Blockley do both sizes.

If your rear axle is well centred and your rear springs are firm you may be able to fit 205/70x15 on the back, really chunky!

Regards

Geoff