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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Tyre Size

I intend to replace all 5 tyres on my very standard Mk3 The handbook recommends 145 X 13 - I brought the car with 165s fitted and I have seen 155s being used. Has anyone got an opinion on this
P Willoughby

If it runs well with 165s, and they are cheaper ...?!
rachmacb

yes if it works on 165s stay with them

I run 155/80 G2s and they are fine too

bill sdgpm

I have just been through this whole saga. I tried 145 80's - 155 70's (nearly identical o/d causing no speedo error) and 165 80's they cleaned out my arches very well! I am lucky to have a friend who changes tyres for me.


I settled with the 155 70's as I drive quite hard and found the 165 lost me quite a bit of acceleration. They can also rub on the inner arches when cornering hard unless you fit a panhard rod system to hold down the rear axle, not such an issue on the RWA midgets. In my opinion based on a bit of maths and guess work I think for grip handling and general use a 165 65 would be my final choice. It all depends on how you drive and what you want out of the car.
N Sayle

I run 155/80's, no rubs, no problems, as best I could calculate the speedo is off maybe 2mph...no concern for me!


Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

I think there's a clue in the original posting: If the car is a "very standard Mk3" then the recommended tyre size from the hand book should surely make the decision for you. I rebuilt my '67 with as many original parts as was safe to do so [it helped that it was dimantled in 1979 and kept in boxes for 25 years]and it runs on 145x13 s.
Dave
David Cox

Unfortunately, when I went to re-tire my car, 145/80's were nowhere to be found in my local area & I'm not sure if they're available at all here in the US.
Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

I have a set of brand new and unused Firestone 145's that came with a car I recently bought and not needed if you are interested.
John Collinson

I am intersted in the tyres John but being new to this forum not sure how we make contact. I only purchased my Midget last November and though the tyres have plenty of tread I think they are very old better safe than sorry, however the feed back on tyre size is interesting. My brother is in on the Morris Minor (oops can I say that on here) scene and those using the larger size suffer more than most from the famous Moggie front wheel flop. So I was concerned going that way could have a simular loading effect on a Spriget. Thanks everyone for the input - looks like a deal might decide the issue at the end of the day
P Willoughby

I have always run 145s on my '63 car. More than enough grip and cheap as chips.
Jeremy Cogman

I use 145/80/13 tyres and I love them
S.A. Jones

145/80 or 155/80 both good and as Jeremy says, work VERY well....

Mark.
M T Boldry

Why is every one so obsesed with speedo error?

My speedo's (diffrent cars) have all been working on and off and i have always been told by others i've never missed one.
and living in the home of the speed camera i do not have an exesive amount of tickets.

it's the revcounter you have to watch!
Onno Könemann

This thread was discussed between 30/03/2010 and 18/04/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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