A310 V6 tyres

[johnb]

I've started some internet searches for tyres, ahead of when I'm going to be needing them; and am finding availability, especially for the rears, problematic.
My car has the 3 stud, 13" wheels and the handbook gives 185/70/13 for the front and 205/70/13 for the rear. I've tried varying sizes that give nearly the same rolling radii to these, with limited success for the front (Toyo and Falken do an H rated tyre) and none for the rear. Sizes I have tried, additional to the handbook sizes, are:
Front - 170/75/13, 175/75/13, 190/70/13, 195/65/13, 200/65/13, 205/60/13, 205/65/13.
Rear - 210/70/13, 215/65/13, 220/65/13, 225/65/13, 230/65/13, 235/60/13, 240/60/13.
I am finding that some of these sizes are not actually manufactured but appeared in an on-line size comparison calculator.
Changing wheel size might be an option but I don't, particularly, want to do this.
So I would be interested to hear, from other A310 V6 owners, what tyres they are using and where they were obtained.
Mr Dell - Are you still in the tyre business?

Try Vintage tyres in Hampshire.
http://www.vintagetyres.com

Here is a pdf leaflet link, and go to the Michelin section
http://www.vintagetyres.com/pdf/1985-vts.pdf

Also worth checking out Longstone Tyres. http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/

[johnb]

Thanks for both comments.
I spoke to Vintage Tyres who were very helpful. They can do an Avon tyre for the front but nothing for the rear. They did, however, mention the Michelin XDX tyre for the rear ( and front) but it's expensive. Longstone also do the Michelin XDX tyre in front and rear sizes.
I'd still be interested to know of the tyre sizes fitted to members' cars having 13" wheels.

[Alpineandy]

There can't be many A310s still running on 13 inch wheels.

Check on Tyre traders, Etyres, Mytyres and black circles.

My previous 3 stud car had 15s and the 4 stud is now on 15s.

[johnb]

You could be right about the rarity of 13" wheels but I'd prefer to keep them.
I've tried all these tyre dealers and they all do something for the front but not the rear. If I reach a dead end I might have to go for the Michelin XDX or have the same size at the rear as the fronts. This would reduce the gearing by about 4.5%.

Old thread but what’s the current situation? I can get Michelin XDX in the correct sizes at circa £1500 which is a bit steep so looking for alternatives. I’d possibly be interested in 3 stud aftermarket wheels in a larger size too.

Trevor.

[johnb]

Hi Trevor,

In the end I decided to keep the car standard with its original wheels and bought a set of Michelin XDX tyres from Longstone Tyres. Tyres were standard 185/70/13 at the front and 205/70/13 at the rear and purchased in May 2014. I’ve only driven 7400 kilometres since then and the tyres are still in good condition.

I’ve just had a look at prices on Longstone’s website and a set would be £1284.00 which is a few pounds less than the price I paid 6 years ago with a 5% discount. Agreed it’s a lot for a set of tyres but I just bit the bullet at the time.

Afraid I can’t help you regarding larger wheels and tyres because I didn’t research options in any detail.

Hi John,

Thanks for getting back. Yes I think I may well just cough up but thought before I do, I’d ask the current wisdom on this. I think my car would prefer to stay original wheels, not that I’m planning on an original restoration, just a useable car and I sort of like the battered look as long as it’s very good beneath.

Trevor.

[johnb]

Doesn’t look battered to me, maybe just needs a door mirror.

I notice the rear tyres are 235/60/13. They obviously fit without clearance issues and rolling radius hardly changes so are they available and an option? What size do you have at the front and are they also Pirelli P6?

May be worth looking a Nankang or however you spell it, they are doing direct copies of old tyre spec.
They are not bad tyres and very good value, it depends on how you drive your car they grip very well and unless you really push your car you will not get any where near there limit on grip.
Remember tyre life is only about 5 to 7 years as they all have a high plastic content.
So if you only do 500 to 1000 miles a year it’s a no brainier.
So my Citroen Rally I just wanted a set of tyres to put the miles on it they make a copy of the Xas tyre £1250 For Mich or £320 for the Nank.
I will spend the money on the good stuff when the car is going to be on the limit, but most classic car owners just go out for a drive, and they now just print classic on the tyre wall.

[johnb]

Thanks Stuart,

I’ve had a look for the Nankang but can only find it in the 185/70/13 size for the fronts, not the 205/70/13 rears.
I was never able to find an alternative to the Michelin XDX for the rears but that was 6 years ago. Maybe others are available now.

Fronts are 205/60 13 Pirelli P6 currently. Original front tyre size isn’t an issue as you say, there’s a good choice but rears are a different matter.

Trevor

[BIG_MVS]

£278 each new old stock:

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres-205-70-13/

Exactly the tyres are probably as hard as a rock or only 1 or 2 years of being so for over £500 for two, unless you are a regular driver of your car it’s stupid money.
How many miles do you normally do in your 610 a year? And of those miles how many were pushing the limit of the car.
I love my Alpine and the last time I was on the limit was at Goodwood when I span off trying to keep Tim Jeffrey’s from getting past me and I left braking to late and the old rubber just let go on the rear. I think you were there I was running on my old Toyo rears that where so old but had good tread but when I put it on the lift after the tread blocks where all separating from the tyre. Good times that was a good event.