Classic 205 (or not)

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norseman

Well-Known Member
Posts
3,189
Location
Essex - UK
Just had a new General Grabber TR fitted to my spare to match the tyres on the car. To my surprise the spare is now a tight fit ie it does not quite sink to the bottom of the wheel-well. The previous tyre (replaced because it was the original & I suspect unused Michelin) dropped straight in. The TR is still a 205/80 & is not over-inflated :confused::confused:
 
That's quite a chunky tread. 80 profile doesn't sound quite right, can't remember what I had, maybe 75 but can't see 5% making that much difference
 
That's quite a chunky tread. 80 profile doesn't sound quite right, can't remember what I had, maybe 75 but can't see 5% making that much difference
Same profile as the original Michelin, standard size for the RRC though 215 was listed by LR as an alternative, but I don't think that's available anymore. Many owners changed to 235/75's but I try to keep the car original & the narrower tyres should be better in snow.
 
Same profile as the original Michelin, standard size for the RRC though 215 was listed by LR as an alternative, but I don't think that's available anymore. Many owners changed to 235/75's but I try to keep the car original & the narrower tyres should be better in snow.

I cannot see how a narrower tyre with less footprint area and therefore less grip would be better in snow.
 
Just had a new General Grabber TR fitted to my spare to match the tyres on the car. To my surprise the spare is now a tight fit ie it does not quite sink to the bottom of the wheel-well. The previous tyre (replaced because it was the original & I suspect unused Michelin) dropped straight in. The TR is still a 205/80 & is not over-inflated :confused::confused:

Classic tyre sizes are 235/70/16 (231.03 mm) rolling radius. 225/75/16 (233.70) rolling radius. 205/80/16 (230.72) rolling radius. Maybe your wheel well has shrunk. :D:D:D
 
I cannot see how a narrower tyre with less footprint area and therefore less grip would be better in snow.
I've seen info that says narrower tyres are better for snow. The wider tyres skate over the top, but narrower ones bite down through. This obviously doesn't apply in Iceland, where there is no bottom to the snow, but in the UK it seems logical to me.
 
Not in my day with a so called "classic" mine was fitted with Michelin m+s 210/70/16 when it left the factory, and stay that way till I sold it 10 years later :D

88 to 95 quoted, of course classics go a bit further back than that. Most before that will be in a skip.;)
 
never heard of that size tbh, they run Michelin xms 205 r 16 or Michelin 205 80 r16 xpc.

Could have been 205-70-16, its a long time ago, so maybe my info is lost in the fog of time. :)
img003.jpg
 
Could have been 205-70-16, its a long time ago, so maybe my info is lost in the fog of time. :)

I think the fog is getting thicker Discool :confused:
The original tyres for the Classic were Michelin XMS 244 205/80x16
I thought it time to replace my (I sus. unused) spare when I check the date code & found it to be 28 years old :eek:
 
Ironically the 205/80/16 has a smaller rolling radius than the other two recommended sizes. So should be the easiest to get in the wheel well. ;);)

I'm going to check the installation again today to make sure that I haven't put the wheel in upside-down :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
I did have the 205 80 16s. Should be a straight fit.
+1
As did the original Michelin
Despite the TR being the same size (according to the tyre-wall script) it must be fractionally wider. It does go in but sits a few mm higher as opposed to dropping right into the well - never mind, It's secure & I can live with it.
I'm wondering, as the original XMS244 was designed specifically for the RR, was the wheel-well dimensions manuf. to suit :confused:
I think I'm developing OCD :(
 
+1
As did the original Michelin
Despite the TR being the same size (according to the tyre-wall script) it must be fractionally wider. It does go in but sits a few mm higher as opposed to dropping right into the well - never mind, It's secure & I can live with it.
I'm wondering, as the original XMS244 was designed specifically for the RR, was the wheel-well dimensions manuf. to suit :confused:
I think I'm developing OCD :(
The black plastic spacer thing ain't dropped into the well has it?
 
The black plastic spacer thing ain't dropped into the well has it?
No, they are both in place.
It really does seem that the section of the tyre is slightly wider. Come the better weather I'll remove one of the road wheels & try it in the well, just out of curiosity.
 
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