If you live in the UK GSD2 are generally regarded as the best, are fine all year round and the only tyre fully approved.
Toyos are another choice - well regarded by MG crouds and recommended as an alternative to GSD2 by SIAC
There are a couple of others whcih if you search the threads youll find tegh SIAC recommendations

If you live outside of UK in a snowy country or you face snow in the wilds of Scotland, then 2 sets of tyre s are really your only options

 

Want some Toyos? Ive got a pair in my porch Ive not put on yet

 

Size? could be interested...

 

Driven the Toyos in all weather extremes, and they've performed as well as I could expect of any tyre. Only got stuck once, and that's because I was being a prat.

We face the wilds of Scotland on a regular basis.

 

thank you very much gents

and lovely offer Nigel but I need 4 tyres hun are mine as miss matched at the moment so want to invest in getting them all redone

 

I know they were dropped from the SAIC test but when I changed all four of mine last September there were no GSD2s or Toyos about so I got Yokohama S.Drives and they've been great. They're probably not as grippy on the limit as the Toyos or GSDs might be but I think they're probably every bit as good if not better in the wet and were great in the snow.

 

Summer tyres are generally regarded as UK all weather tyres due to the fact we don't normally get over the top weather here.

The main alternative to summer tyres are winter tyres. I wouldn't recommend using them all year round though as they are more of a compromise.

Your best bet is to look at the tyre reviews and look at the ratings for snow/rain etc and pick one which is better for all conditions.

If there were a good tyre that was safe in all conditions I think most people would have them.

 

Again, muchas gracias

 

Oi! That's my line!

I got 3x GoodYear and 1x Cooper right now. They were new when I got the car and are performing rather well.. so being a poor person, I'll wear them out and then get new ones that do for me all year round.

We don't need winter tyres here, so we're on summer ones all year round. Someone told me not to get Toyos over here as they won't last that long due to the heat of our climate.

I'm thinking of Michelin Pilot Exalto's which are the one my other car runs and they've proved to be rather good, better than my Bridgestone Turanza ER300 I had before. I don't thin Bridgestone are that good in the wet. Michelin are better for our conditions here.

 

well i've got GS-D2's on at the minute, however over the last winter i needed snow tyres on due to travelling back and forwards between home and work in Hexham.
the diference was amazing on the very cold roads with the winter tyres on, whereas i was getting those 'nippy bum' feelings on the goodyears in the corners, i was carrying the same speeds and more with total confidence with the winter tyres

AND this was on a tyre size/make/style that should have led to instant death :hgf: :lol:

This year if the weather does look like going through a longish really cold spell i'll be going straight away to have a set of part worn winter tyres fitted at £20 a corner ..........


Oh by the way i just bought a pair of REAR toyos from Camskill for £130............ :lol: just been to find the link and they have gone up to £137 in 4 days
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?show=1687

 

Phil, what size winter tyres were you using?
I'm giving serious thought to getting an extra set of wheels and winter tyres for the the TF as we're definitely doing it for the wife's Jag - 225/40/18s are not good in snow. The problem we've found, even down here in tropical Hampshire, is that they only salt/grit the main roads which are fine if you can get to them.

 

Andy, they were on a spare pair of MGF VVC 15" wheels, the tyres were part worns in 195/55/15, grip was fantasic on the rear and really showed up the lack of grip on the gsd's at the front so this year it'll be winter tyres all round

i must say the handling did feel a bit wierd at the start with the higher profile but i soon adjusted to it and after that it was business as normal

 

i dont have a tf but i have a zr i just got a set of avons tyres on my car and i love them very good in the wet and dry and last a long time and they where £85 fitted for 215,40,17 (each) so are a good price before this i had firstones and the grip in the wet has massively improved and in the dry its about the same my friend has the same car with proxies on and we did a breaking distance test along side each other and from 50mph my car stoped a good 3 meters before his. hope this helps

 

Whats the budget?

Federals 595 series are gaining some serious cred, their RSR trackday tyre is on par with the Toyo T1R, and the three subgroups (595, 595EVO and 595RPM) have been getting good reviews generally. Not sure what size you need, but have a look at their site:

Federal Tires

I've driven a car equipped with Avon ZZ3's and Uniroyal Rainsports, both felt fine, perfectly stable, but ultimately not quite as good as Eagles.

I've had a set of Yoko 458's ( I think they're called Parada nowadays) and they gripped and handled well, but wore out faster than a chocolate condom.

Also driven a car using Continental Contisport 2's, and it felt very good, definitley as good as the Eagles for handling and a bit quieter, but not cheap.....

 

My 1996 F has Bridgestones fitted and they are great in the dry but not convinced in the wet as I had wheelspin a couple of times without being silly.
On any quick car I have ever owned, I always return to Avon as a good combination of grip, wear and cost. However, the Bridgestones are near new so will be a while before I feel the need for a change.

 

The Pirelli PZero Neros are good, but a bit of a pain to find and not exactly cheap.

 

really appreciate all of your feedback guys so massive thanks

Im reasonably flexible on budget so long as they are long lasting tyres. I'd rather get decent ones and pay a little more if I have to than get cheap ones that need replacing overy two minutes

Ive got the 16" 11 spoke alloys

 

really appreciate all of your feedback guys so massive thanks

Im reasonably flexible on budget so long as they are long lasting tyres. I'd rather get decent ones and pay a little more if I have to than get cheap ones that need replacing overy two minutes

Ive got the 16" 11 spoke alloys

GS-D2's it is then..... they are a harder compound and will easily get you 20K+ miles....

 

what is the difference between the gsd2 and the gsd3?....and dont say 1 :hysteria:

 

The main difference that's relevant is the construction of the side wall which makes the GSD3 a lot less suitable for the TF. There's a link to an article somewhere explaining the problem - I'm sure someone will be able to dig it out, I can't lay my hands on it right now!

Edit: This might be of interest http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=358806

 

have decided that trying to buy tyres is a nightmare...so many different sizes
I know what size I have on the car at the moment but doesnt mean its right......

got 195/45R1684W on front
215/40ZR1686W on the back, is this what I should be shopping for?
:dunno:


EDIT: ignore the above, Ive just seen the sticky by Chris T....fabulous, thanks

 

fab info Dan, thank you

 

No problem! I'm just recycling the helpful info provided here by others!

I bought some GSD2s fairly recently, but while I was deciding what to do tyre-wise I scoured the forum (and the rest of the internet) and found so much info and so many opinions it made my head spin!

 

omg!!! I know what you mean!
Lee has been telling me to get GSD2's but Im just a pain in the behind and have to check it out for myself too as its a lot of money to spend and I want to be 100% certain Im doing the right thing if you know what I mean

 

Dont listen to Lee.... I love the guy to bits, but he's about as open to alternative opinions as a middle-eastern regime :hysteria:

Everyone needs to have a least a "backup" option in case GSD2s disappear. hence the popularity of the Toyos... SO

Falken FK-932
Toyo T1-R (Imposssible to find in rears due to the japan quake)
GS-D2 (coming back in stock, but no doubt will cost ££££)

And a couple of others, but tend to be F-specific...

You ****tin me? I got 7k out the rears and 15k out the fronts!

Not at all mate, currently on 16K on the fronts (plenty of life left) and on 24K on the rears (borderline, hence the Toyos in the porch) - I do a lot of motorway work however....

 

If you are not interested in bombing about at ten tenths and all weather and season performance is a priority then Vredestein Quatrac 3s are a a good choice.
They seemed quite quiet on a 3 series and felt good on dry and wet A and B roads.
I have not driven with them on an MGF, but i've used Vredesteins on other cars and been happy.

 

5 years of TF ownership......50,000 miles of ownership........16" wheels

GSD2's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

5 years of TF ownership......50,000 miles of ownership........16" wheels

GSD2's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/QUOTE


10 years of F&TF DRIVING ......97,000 miles of UK and European fun summer and winter including snowy Alpine passes ......15" & 16" wheels

TOYOs AND GY F1 GSD2s both brilliant and all last 4 times longer than tyres on my motorbikes.

 

Nexen 2000s in my opinion - depends on your driving style to some extent though

 

Never had a moment's doubt from Avon ZZ3s from winter commute to Silverstone track - 205/40 front 215/40 rear.

 

Lots of talk about GDS2's in this thread, are they available now?

I've been hanging on for a set of rears for the TF but can't wait much longer.

 

Lots of talk about GDS2's in this thread, are they available now?

I've been hanging on for a set of rears for the TF but can't wait much longer.

They are avalable now from your local Tyre supplier, having two rears fitted next week at Auto Tyre & Battery in Droitwich £107 a corner fitted balanced & VAT

 

Ive been looking around and have seen some rears on a website or two but not too cheap!
My understanding is that they should be more readily available soon..ish

 

Just out of interest, has anyone ever run uniroyal rainsports on their, F/TF i've heard people raving about them on other cars and after looking at a display model they looked pretty hot too

Matt