Fast Marina Magazine

Well looking at the coupes tyres they're all knackered so I need 4 new ones they must be original Michelin 145x80 so skinny to say the least
What do you think for size 145 or 155

165/70/13 is the largest that will fit on the rims comfortably but looks a little odd. 155s are a good compromise although I haven't had any issues with the 145/80/13s.

aqua-marina wrote:Well looking at the coupes tyres they're all knackered so I need 4 new ones they must be original Michelin 145x80 so skinny to say the least
What do you think for size 145 or 155

145 was standard in UK, 155 was standard in Aus and NZ. 155s on a UK car will give slightly higher gearing, so the speedo will read a couple of mph slow at motorway speeds.

165/70 x 13 are only 0.18% difference in circumference so no appreciable difference in speedo reading. The low speed steering effort will be a little heavier.

Loads of choices at Black Circles

http://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres ... wintertyre


Chris

I have always used 175/70 x 13 on standard rims.

Besides being much the same price they give the most rubber on the road.

iirc 155/80, 175/70 and 205/60 are near enough the same rolling circumference, ditto for 145/80 and 165/70 (as Chris stated).

Legally in NZ, the widest tyre that will fit a 4.5" rim is 185/70, according to this chart. Which is handy, as they are what Ozzy came fitted with...

When I bought my 1.8 estate back it had been fitted with 145 13's and understeered terribly on the slightest bends when pushed so I put it straight back onto 175 70 13's on standard rims and normal driving was restored. I would recommend 175 70 13 for the heavier 1.8s and 155 13 for 1.3s.

I am running 185x60 on 5 or 5.5"rims can't remember and it handles great have not had the slightest bit of understeer yet even in heavy cornering, it has been lowered quite a bit and is running a reasonable amount of negative camber too.
Could be a different story in the wet though.

Think I'm going 155x13 and a good make of tyre must be a slightly better bet than the 145s keep it as original as poss

yea me to 175x70x13 on standard rims fills the arches out a bit more aswell
cheers barry

Hamish - negative camber is a side-effect of lowering Marinas due to the suspension arms being unequal length.
I would say you have between 1 and 1.5 degrees - I can vouch for the fact that 1 degree does not seem to relate to any odd tyre wear, but you do get a lot of feedback from ridges in our "lovely" roads.
There is a definite improvement to the steering though, and a quicker turn in on corners.

I run 205/60 x 13's on most of my Marinas, but am easily caught out when I drive one with standard tyres - usually losing it on the first roundabout..