21 replies to this topic

[Chris1992]

I know this has been discussed in the past, but I figured it was worth mentioning again to take note of any changes.

 

I noticed that Yokohama have now discontinued the A048, and the new A048R is no longer road legal. so the A539 is now the only tyre option from Yokohama. Other than that, I know there are a few from Nankang (NS-2, NS-2R, AS-1, AR-1), which range from cheap ditch finders up to barely road legal semi slicks. 

 

Dunlop and Maxxis both used to make tyres in this size, but are since long discontinued. So are these our only options? It seems the selection is really thinning down! Just thought I'd see if I'm missing any lesser know brands.

 

(and please don't tell me to switch to 10s or 12s. I'm rather fond of my 13s)

Edited by Chris1992, 20 June 2023 - 11:25 AM.

[nicklouse]

nothing wrong with the Nankangs they work very well.

[Wazzah]

I've got 2 sets of rims and run the A539's and Nankang AR-1's.

The Nankang's are very good even in the wet.

I used to run AD08's.

The AR-1's are softer and grip-ier.

I run 1.5 degrees of negative camber and the wear is very even.

I'm fitting a Quaife at the moment so I'll propably run the Nankangs full time as I don't think the A539's will be up to it.

[fokko]

What about the Yokohama A048-R? It's also still available. Also road-legal semi-slick and as far as I know very grippy.

[Chris1992]

I've got 2 sets of rims and run the A539's and Nankang AR-1's.

The Nankang's are very good even in the wet.

I used to run AD08's.

The AR-1's are softer and grip-ier.

I run 1.5 degrees of negative camber and the wear is very even.

I'm fitting a Quaife at the moment so I'll propably run the Nankangs full time as I don't think the A539's will be up to it.

 

I had heard the Nankang semi slicks were good, I was just weary of their cheaper stuff. My new engine will be putting out a lot of power so I may go for either NS-2R's or AR-1's. 

 

What about the Yokohama A048-R? It's also still available. Also road-legal semi-slick and as far as I know very grippy.

 

Ah I think this is what I meant when I said ADO8r in my original post. I was originally planning on going for the A048, but Minispares lists it as being discontinued, and it's replacement (the A048-R) is stated as being for competition use only

[nitrodave]

Unless you're running big power, do track days, or really care about the design of your tread pattern, then there's nothing wrong with Nankang AS-1s.

 

I fitted a new set in place of Yoko A539 and they are just as good on the road. They're a decent tyre.

[fokko]

 

What about the Yokohama A048-R? It's also still available. Also road-legal semi-slick and as far as I know very grippy.

 

Ah I think this is what I meant when I said ADO8r in my original post. I was originally planning on going for the A048, but Minispares lists it as being discontinued, and it's replacement (the A048-R) is stated as being for competition use only

 

 

Ah, I didn't know that :-(. It's a pity, because they are very good tyres... They also used to produce the a008 in 13", but I guess that's a while ago.

[Chris1992]

Unless you're running big power, do track days, or really care about the design of your tread pattern, then there's nothing wrong with Nankang AS-1s.

 

I fitted a new set in place of Yoko A539 and they are just as good on the road. They're a decent tyre.

 

Ahh see I'm rather partial to a fancy tread pattern lol.  

 

 

 

Ah, I didn't know that :-(. It's a pity, because they are very good tyres... They also used to produce the a008 in 13", but I guess that's a while ago.

 

 

Yeah sad times. 

[mab01uk]

Found this photo I took of probably one of the first road going Mini's (brand new on trade plates) fitted with 13" wheels and modern 175/50 low profile Pirelli P7 tyres as seen on the Vortz 'Cooper Car Company' stand at the Beaulieu Cooper Day in the late 1980's. I went straight home and bought a set but have long since gone back to 10's....

 

 

 

[mab01uk]

175/50 x 13 Pirelli P7 tyres soon started to appear on the early brand new 1990's Rover Coopers and even a few Mk1's which would be frowned on now......

 

[DEXISWOLF]

To be honest if i had a mk1 it would have 13s on just never liked the squishyness of 10s but id like to know whats about as im going down the turbo route and i cant see my brand new 8 year old dunlops being up to the task

[Cobra64]

I was looking to use Nankang NS-2R's on some 13"x7" rims but their website says they should only go on rims 5.5" wide (see link below).  Is anyone running these tyres on 7" rims and had any issues?  The tyres are 185/60R13.

 

http://nankangtyres.com.au/tyre/ns-2r/

[Steve220]

I've got 2 sets of rims and run the A539's and Nankang AR-1's.

The Nankang's are very good even in the wet.

I used to run AD08's.

The AR-1's are softer and grip-ier.

I run 1.5 degrees of negative camber and the wear is very even.

I'm fitting a Quaife at the moment so I'll propably run the Nankangs full time as I don't think the A539's will be up to it.

I'm running 150bhp through A539s and they cope rather well.

Edited by Steve220, 27 August 2020 - 01:46 PM.

[Artstu]

175/50 x 13 Pirelli P7 tyres soon started to appear on the early brand new 1990's Rover Coopers and even a few Mk1's which would be frowned on now......






 

 

 

Cool I was there that day in my Midas. I did at one point end up on P7's for a while, wouldn't want anything like that now.

[Ell.s]

A539s albeit in 12s for me, cracking tyre really grippy and not too bad in the wet.