That's very good to hear. Given two recommendations on here, Michelin look the best option. My comment is based on my and others very much subjective, and quite possibly mistaken, impression of Pirelli P4000 re-runs that don't 'feel' as good as the worn tyres they replaced or tyres on our other cars. Still, they remain expensive compared with tyres of similar performance made for more modern rim sizes.

 

I think their pricing is reasonable to high as they don't really want to make that size but keep them available to us for the sake of originality or we would be forced into a tyre of different profile. They are 79/80 profile BTW and build in good rim protection as another update. You can't move from an R rating to an HR & then VR rating of a tyre without putting improved technology into the carcass.

The cost is pure economies of scale. Sales are obviously low when compared with a modern, popular size.

 

I have given up on trying to get 185 R 15 tyres in Australia for a reasonable price.
Michelin and Pirelli prices are just stupid costing over A$1200 for a set of 4. Weirdly the Kuhmo, Yokohama and some other Asian brands were not much cheaper
Our general speed limit on the open road is 100 kilometers per hour (KPH) which is 60MPH with the occasional highway speed of 110 KPH (66MPH).
The previous tyres were 18 years old and showing sidewall cracking and deterioration due to the high UV in our sub-tropical climate.
I don't see a need for high performance tyres (tires) as you would need on the fabled autobahn.
I recently put a set of 195 65 R15 tyres on my MK2. They have the same diameter as 185 70 R15.
Slightly smaller by a couple of percent than 185 80 R15 if that is the correct replacement for the original
The complete set fitted and balanced cost A$380. Apparently, that size is very common on modern cars, so they are priced competitively.
I don't notice any real increase in heaviness of steering on my non powered steering system.
I am running them at 32 PSI

 

185 X 79/80 X R15 is the original tyre size (From Michelin's Technical head honcho). Speed ratings came later. For insurance cover in SA our cars require HR rated tyres. Rated on maximum speed of the car. In our case approx 120mph.

H rating = max 130 mph (210 Kph)

 

Glyn
There seems to be a bit of a nomenclature translation over tyre sizes and ratings between European tyres and Australian tyres
The tyres I had fitted were
195-65-R15-95TXL
The 95 refers to the load rating in this case 690kg/wheel
The T is the speed rating, in this case190Ks/hr
I am not sure about the XL
The R in Australian tyres refers to radial tyres as opposed to cross ply construction.
As this is a 2.4 MK2 the max speed would be about 100 mph or 160kph, so I think it is a "safe' fit
Cheers

 

Yes Bill. there are global differences. This is the norm but e.g. Michelin puts the H before the R in the sizing e.g. HR15 or VR15

 

It may be a matter of time as much as region. Years ago, radial tyres had the speed rating, H, V, S or nothing, in the middle of the description, before the R for radial. At some stage, it moved to the end. It may be that some manufacturers keep the older style for tyres of classic size.

Apart from rims, sizes and profiles are a bit nominal. There used to be a photo on the Longstone website of a bunch of tyres that were supposed to be close to the same size, but looked as if they varied significantly. Hopefully, they were closer when mounted on a wheel and inflated.

 

This was the row of supposed equal tyres Peter. The crossply sticks out like a sore thumb.

From left to right.

Michelin, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet/SP73 dependent on market, Michelin, Pirelli, Avon, Avon, Michelin.

 

Glyn,
In case you’re still interested, here is my situation. The tyres were mounted when I bought the car. There was also a label stuck in the glovebox with recommmended tyre pressures: 2 bar (29.0psi) for front and 1.8bar (26.1psi) for rear. These appear too low to me, hence the higher values I use in the following.
Dave

1) Model of car: Mk2 3.8l Automatic PAS
2) Front Pressure in psi: 31
3) Rear Pressure in psi: 28
4) Cross Ply or Radial: Radial
5) Make ~ e.g. Michelin: Vredestein Sprint Classic
6) Size ~ e.g. 185R15: 185HR15
7) Speed rating ~ eg HR or VR etc.: not sure. They are marked 91H
8) Typical load. e.g. number of people. Boot/trunk full/empt: 2 persons plus golf bags/trolleys

 

And you don't get outer edge wear at those low pressures?

 

A little off subject but I have always wondered about the inflation pressure values on the B pillar for newer cars. Is that value optimal for the OEM tires only? What if I swap out the all season tires for summer performance tires or dedicated winter tires. This is the scenario I have with my modern S-Type R. I run Michelin Pilot Sports in summer and Blizzaks in the winter. Should they all be inflated to the same pressure as printed on the sticker? The winter tires/wheels are all the same size while the summers are the factory staggerd BBS wheels.
I have never read anything to suggest otherwise but with very different construction between radials and bias, all season, summer and winter I would think that an adjustment would be made. But maybe the inflation pressure is the most important aspect.

 

Approx same pressure will work & watch for shoulder & centre wear and adjust accordingly. I ignore Mercedes staggered suggestions completely 225's front 245's rear. I run 2.3 bar front & 2.1 bar rear for even wear. Michelin Pilot Sport 4's

Some run Blizzaks a little softer than suggested. (on Mercs)

 

I looked at the tread on all tyres today. Unequal wear is not visible. The tyres were manufactured CW49/2015. I’ve driven about 5000km since buying the car in May 2018.

Dave

 

Thanks.