Tires in the USA 155/80-13 and 165/70-13

[bdea]

bdea, you mention Falken Sincera's. I didn't think they were still available in 13" in the US. I have a set and like them and would like to get another set. Can you give me a bit more info on their availability?

Kurt

Sorry it took a while to see your response.

The Falken Sincera's are only available in the UK. I tried America's Tire in California to see if they could order it.
No Luck! The choice of the Falken was based on: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Size/ ... -Tyres.htm

Could describe your experiences with this specific Falken Sincera SN 832 Ecorun compared to other tires you've used and what size?


Also, can anyone be very specific why the XAS is better and how different in scale how it handles and feels compared to specific modeled tires. I have read Dougal's articles, just need other confirmations of other tires.

Again please state the specific tire model vs other tires you/others have used and how they compare...handling, grip, comfort etc.

One more note, California decided on April 1,2019 to charge state sales tax on internet sales

Another comment, The Cheapo Achilles 122 has a 165/70-13 H rated size, would this handle better than the 155/80-13 T rated tire?

The picture of the 155 looks like a cheap skinny economy tire, whereas other pics on the net look modern and have a nice profile!

Anyone have a picture of the Achilles 165/70-13 HR and how it handles?

[h20hamelan]

I have good success with

https://www.toyotires.ca/tires/eclipse- ... d-minivans

On my heavier car, note a few 13?s listed. Best tyre option i believe.

Or

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSear ... unFlat=All

The general and hankook look fine. Or the last offering better!

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSear ... unFlat=All

Ive been very tempted by

https://www.1010tires.com/Tires/Micheli ... /175-70R13

Alas, another heavy car, hard compound option.

[USA64]

Universal Tire has Dunlops or for $90 more Goodrich white-walls!
https://www.universaltire.com/catalog_f ... ize=155R13

[JohnCh]

I can?t compare the XAS to any of the tires already mentioned, but I did replace 10 year old 165/70-13 Firestone all season tires that came on my car with a set of 155/80-13 XAS FF. I don?t recall the model of Firestone, but it had a 380 treadwear rating. The difference exceeded my expectations and I have no regrets about spending the money. Grip, steering feel, ride, break away characteristics, and braking were all noticeably improved. Granted most of this is subjective, but the braking performance is somewhat quantifiable. Previously it was easy to lock tires when braking hard, but I?ve been unable to replicate that with the XAS FF.

The two negatives are price and weight. Compared to the Firestones ? which admittedly had a lot of wear ? the XAS FF were 4 pounds heavier per corner. About 2-2.5 pounds of this is attributed to the heavy Michelin tubes (Firestones were tubeless) and the remainder is down to tire construction and the full tread depth.

-John

[nomad]

Little late getting back to this but I have the Falken's on a upgraded MG Midget that I enjoy in the twisty's when I can. All I can really say about them is that they have a nice profile with side walls that are pretty firm and seem to behave well at the limit. I'm talking 155/80's. I've also had a set on a Mazda Miata and have been similarly impressed with them on that car. 195/50's on 15's I believe. They are worn out now and I hope to replace with the same tire. I did have a set of Sumitomo's on the Midget a while back that I hated so much that I took them off when they were nearly new. Side wall's so thin and flexible that you could feel the car slop from side to side every time I changed directions and on uneven third world midwest roads the road was constantly causing slop.

Kurt
[currently 5 Spridget's,
MX5, and Elan]

[nomad]

Well, I sprung for a set of the Achilles in 155/80. Fitted to a Mk3 Sprite. I don't care for them. Definitely cheap, not long lasting tread design with wide grooves that pick up rocks.

Can make a direct comparison to a set of Falken,s on Mk 2 Midget and the difference in ride and handling are like night and day. I want another set of Falken's!

Kurt

[stugilmour]

Presently running Vredestein Sprint 165/80R13, which are not available from Coker right now. Really like them, an all round great H rated tire.

I am planning to give the T Rated Nankang CX-668 a try for the Plus 2. 165/80R13 available from Discount Tire Direct in the US ($43 each) or 1010 Tire in Canada ($115 each!).

https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy- ... 68/p/11704

https://www.1010tires.com/Tires/Nankang/CX668/24165010

Both suppliers have the same tire in the Elan 155/80R13 size.

Last fall I checked with Blockley Tire in the UK. They claimed to ship to Canada often, quoting 130 GBP shipping for a set of their 165HR13 tires. All in the quote converted to about $US 530 or $CDN 710. Looked like a very nice tire at a more reasonable cost than the Michelin XAS from Coker Tire (about $US 800 for four, plus significant additional shipping costs/hassle to Canada). The Blockley web site is not the best, but it unfortunately appears these are not available in the Elan size 155/HR13.

https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/165hr13

https://www.cokertire.com/165hr13-michelin-xas-ff.html

HTH

Stu

[h20hamelan]

Not sure I totally trust the Chinese tyres
That said. My big Sterling, Volvo and Ford trucks run Chinese on the rear
As for steer tyres. Michelin BFG Cooper Dunlop (not the Brazil plant) and Toyo seem to hold dear to my heart. Japanese and American standards, and thee old Dunlops from the UK Michelin from France...I am not sure how many EU tyre factories and what sizes are produced. Some EU tyres are DOT certified in NA.

Another real good point for the Toyo winters is the shoulder of the tyre. Unlike most soft rolling shoulder tyres, the Toyo is very aggressive, and the widest I?ve measured.
Not all 155 have the same contact patch, same for 165 etc

[dougal cawley]

Have you tried these https://www.lucasclassictires.com/145HR ... 45r13L.htm on the early car

[USA64]

At what point did Lotus switch to radial tires?

[dougal cawley]

Its funny isn't it. my Period Dunlop fitment guide, lists both in '65 and radial in 66

i have an insurance book listing crossply in '66

However i think they would have been an option earlier than that. But fitting radial Cinturato in those days was really posh

[bdea]

Hi Kurt, this Brad who requested tires for my Elan S4 SE.

Upon searching for the perfect tire in a 165/70-13 size, Falken Sincera SN 832 Ecorun, Demon Tweeks seems to ship to the US for the Same Price as the Tire itself ~$32.17 + $35.30 = $67.47/ tire. Just came back from Spain, thought of buying there and carrying it on the plane, just like I brought some headers and rear sprint muffler in 1986 as a carry on...lol !

I couldn't find 155/80-13 in Falken's South America Catalog. The 165/70-13 has a section width of 170mm and diameter of 563mm, measured on a 5" wheel. Currently have Bridgestone RE 92 165/70-13.

Currently asking Falken if they can get the SN 832 in North America/Canada

Could I ask you for some pics of your tires... width, side, clearance at front sway bar at full lock, tire clearance at front fender arch and rear spring perch clearance... etc.

What size did you install on your elan? Would you consider 165/70-13 instead of 155/80-13?

Your thoughts? Any other handling characteristics to other tires? XAS ?

Thanks, Brad