Wheels and Tyres questions: planning for replacements

[dwomby]

This is very preliminary, as I won't make any changes for months yet, but I am looking for advice and opinions on wheels and tyres for a 408 Mk1.

Currently the car has its original 16" wheels and hubcaps shod with Michelin 185R16 tyres with tubes. The tyres look fine but are years past their reasonable lifespan and should be replaced.

I could just replace the tyres with others sized to fit the stock wheels (Michelin, Vredestein, etc.) but they do look a bit skinny. I don't think I can go for much wider tyres beacuse of a) the wheel arch inner lips and b) the low speed steering effort (no power steering). I am not keen on tubed tyres either as when they deflate, the tend to deflate fast.

So, if I want to go slightly wider and ditch the tubes, I am thinking something like 205/75R15 on new 15" wheels with 5.5" rim-to rim and 46mm offset. I can buy one wheel to test the fit if need be. I also want something that looks the right and that seems to rule out most alloy or chromed aftermarket wheels.

I have read about the 16" MB wheels Stefano Pasini fitted to his 409 and a comment that LJK Setright ran 205/70R15 on 6" wide Minilites with some rubbing.

What are others folks running on their V8s that I should perhaps consider? Any experience or opinions would be much appreciated.

Thanks

David

[AndrewA]

I'm on 15's so not a lot of help (!) and went with Avon Turbosteel 185/80R15 93V. I really like them, they have excellent feel and have been great in downpours as well as the dry.

[dwomby]

Originally Posted by AndrewA

I'm on 15's so not a lot of help (!) and went with Avon Turbosteel 185/80R15 93V. I really like them, they have excellent feel and have been great in downpours as well as the dry.

No, that IS helpful. Thank you. I am seriously considering going to 15" wheels.

David

[John Rolfs]

I've run my 409 PAS on 15" alloy rims for many years. The 112mm PCD on Bristol hubs made before the 410 is the same as used by Audi and Mercedes. This means plenty of 15 and 16 inch rims in steel or alloy in a variety of widths and offsets. I use 205 Bridgestones on Audi 200 flat disc wheels but you may need something narrower without the benefit of my power steering. Stud thread is an awkward BSF 9/16ths but thankfully same as early Land Rovers when you need to find new nuts. Check that the handbrake mechanism safely clears the inside rim if you go to 15", especially in reverse!!

[Philip]

Dunlop Sport Classic in 215/70VR15 (there’s a 205/70, too).

[peterg]

I fitted tubeless tyres to my original 403 steel wheels and they keep pressure better than the alloys on my other cars.

[peter dowdle]

Just a warning in selecting a suitable wheel tyre combination be sure it will fit in the storage area in the front guard. I have 215/70/15 tyres on 6 inch rims on my 411 mk 2 and it is very difficult to get them to fit under the guard. I have 185/16 tyres on my 403 and they wont fit in the storage locker at all.

[dwomby]

Originally Posted by John Rolfs

I've run my 409 PAS on 15" alloy rims for many years. The 112mm PCD on Bristol hubs made before the 410 is the same as used by Audi and Mercedes. This means plenty of 15 and 16 inch rims in steel or alloy in a variety of widths and offsets. I use 205 Bridgestones on Audi 200 flat disc wheels but you may need something narrower without the benefit of my power steering. Stud thread is an awkward BSF 9/16ths but thankfully same as early Land Rovers when you need to find new nuts. Check that the handbrake mechanism safely clears the inside rim if you go to 15", especially in reverse!!

Thank you, John. May I ask what the profile is on your 205s? 70 or 75?

Originally Posted by Philip

Dunlop Sport Classic in 215/70VR15 (there’s a 205/70, too).

Thank you, Philip.

Originally Posted by peterg

I fitted tubeless tyres to my original 403 steel wheels and they keep pressure better than the alloys on my other cars.

That's good to know, Peter. Gives me hope if I end up keeping the factory wheels.

Originally Posted by peter dowdle

Just a warning in selecting a suitable wheel tyre combination be sure it will fit in the storage area in the front guard. I have 215/70/15 tyres on 6 inch rims on my 411 mk 2 and it is very difficult to get them to fit under the guard. I have 185/16 tyres on my 403 and they wont fit in the storage locker at all.

Peter, thanks. I hadn't thought of that potential fit issue.

Anybody else want to chip in what tyres/wheels they have on their V8s?

David

[John Rolfs]

The 205/70x15 tyres have the same rolling diameter as the 6.00x16 original crossplies, but with much more grip and a smoother ride. The 70 profile tyres also come in 215 and 225 sizes. The wheels are 6J width (6 inches). No problem with arches clearance. I have a set of 8J Ronals that look like Minilites but I don't think they will fit without some mods or lock restrictions.
Hubs from the 410 onward use a larger Point Circle Diameter (PCD) similar to period Jaguars. BMW rims are fractionally smaller at 120 mm PCD but can be adapted.
When changing rims, take care that the taper profile of the nut matches the seat in the wheel. The wrong angle can reduce the contact area and lead to cracking.
Steel rims can be altered to hold the original hub caps and retain appearance.

[dwomby]

Originally Posted by John Rolfs

The 205/70x15 tyres have the same rolling diameter as the 6.00x16 original crossplies, but with much more grip and a smoother ride. The 70 profile tyres also come in 215 and 225 sizes. The wheels are 6J width (6 inches). No problem with arches clearance. I have a set of 8J Ronals that look like Minilites but I don't think they will fit without some mods or lock restrictions.
Hubs from the 410 onward use a larger Point Circle Diameter (PCD) similar to period Jaguars. BMW rims are fractionally smaller at 120 mm PCD but can be adapted.
When changing rims, take care that the taper profile of the nut matches the seat in the wheel. The wrong angle can reduce the contact area and lead to cracking.
Steel rims can be altered to hold the original hub caps and retain appearance.

Thanks, John. I hadn't realized about the nut taper issue. I appreciate that warning.

David

[OakHouse411]

Hi David
I changed to graphite coloured Jaguar XJS lattice alloys on my 410. The change necessitated drilling out and re-tapping the jaguar wheel nuts as they are a different thread to the Bristol.
I am running 205.70.15 tyres on these rims. I have now driven about 4,000 miles with the 'new' wheels and tyres and have been very pleased with the performance and the looks. Many people have commented on how well they suit the car
Hope this helps
ATB
Andrew

[dwomby]

Thanks, Andrew. Those wheels would look great but I am afraid they wouldn't fit my car.

Looking at the parts book there are hub changes between models. The front hub parts are different and I think the evolution may have been but stand to be corrected:

408 5x112 PCD and 72.3mm cap diameter,
409 5x112 PCD but a smaller cap diameter (thus MB wheels fit)
410 5x120 PCD like Jaguar.

In any case, my search continues.

Thanks again.

David

[OakHouse411]

Hi David
Have you considered hub centric adapters? These would enable you to use 5 x 120 pcd wheels

[dwomby]

Andrew, thanks. I did look at that but not in depth. I will look again but the challenge is finding one that will not just change the bolt pattern but also allow fitting a smaller centre bore wheel without the adapter pushing the offset too far out and affecting steering.

David