MGF and MG TF Goodyear Tyres
The MGF and TF models are ‘probably the best cars in the world’ for tyre sensitivity, and there is not a hint of Carlsberg being involved! Few owners will not know that the time for a tyre change demands a degree of searching and thought that simply doesn’t apply to any other car. The information passed out by professional tyre dealers is often misleading or plain wrong, often tinged with a degree of hard sell.
The bold and individual tread pattern of a new Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD2 tyre
Reproduced here are two Technical Bulletins issued by MG Rover in relation to tyres for the MGF and TF issued in June 2004, which is still applicable today. The problem today is that tyre makers are not standing still. Their designs move on and existing designs may well be discontinued. In addition modern MG owners are in the unfortunate position of no longer having the support of the company who made the cars and who would have recommended the best solution in the event that an original equipment tyre is no longer made.
The 15” wheel size tyre fit bulletin is a good example of this although Continental have moved onto their ‘Premium Contact 2’ tyre for which we have not heard any specific negative comment. Indeed the 15” sizes being slightly higher profile does mean that they are not as sensitive as the cars with 16” wheels.
The Goodyear ID label, note the date 7th November 2007. This tyre was actually made during the last week of September 2007 and post dates many Tyre outlets saying the tyre was no longer produced!!
The tyre size moulded into the sidewall above the yellow highlighting and specifically that GSD2 is at the end.
On the subject of 16” wheels there is only one approved tyre and this is the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS D2, a design that is now relatively old in tyre manufacturers terms. Indeed the most important point to make is in the very last part of that tyre description, D2, which is in small size on the sidewall of the tyre. As the MG Rover bulletin says, ‘not all Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres are the same construction’.
Many tyre outlets will try and sell MGF and TF owners Eagle F1 GS D3, sometimes quite innocently and in ignorance of the circulated information, and whilst some owners reading this will say they have not had any problems, there are many more who have. The issues usually relate to a marked unstable feeling above 50mph and some other unpleasant reactions under driving conditions that previously have not raised an eyebrow.
The availability of the GS D2 format of Eagle F1 in the two common sizes for the MGF and TF are 215/40×16 for cars up to 2001 and then the front tyres were changed to 195/45×16 for a slightly better steering balance. The degree of difference is only small and the 195/45 tyre imparts slightly less grip than the 215/40 tyre.
In recent weeks there have been a steady stream of enquiries from owners of cars with the 16” wheels with concerns because they have not been able to obtain replacement tyres in the correct GS D2 format. The usual information being given by the tyre outlets is that the GS D2 format has been discontinued, which is incorrect.
Having spoken direct with Goodyear Dunlop the situation is that the specific sizes for MGF and TF remain current and indeed the re-launched TF will continue to use these tyres in the same sizes. However, at the time of writing (December 2007) the stock situation is good for 215/40×16, but no stock for the 195/45×16 and that may remain the case until March 2008.
Incidentally the re-launched TF will only come with 16” wheels. In the meantime the problem for owners needing to replace front tyres on cars with the 16” wheels and original 195/45 tyres presents a problem as fitting any other tyre make in that size up front, with original Goodyears on the rear is a recipe for potential instability. Our advice has always been to ensure that all four corners of an F or TF are shod with the same make and model of tyre, ideally the recommended OE fit.
Under these current circumstances the best advice if for owners to fit a pair of 215/40×16 GS D2 tyres in place of the 195/45×16 as this keeps the same make and model of tyre. Then if desired once the 195/45×16 GS D2 comes back into stock a pair of these can be fitted up front and the removed 215/40×16 retained for later use on the rear, thus making the best use of the investment. With the wider tyre on the front it is best to reduce the standard front tyre pressure by 2psi to 24psi and that should reduce any oversensitivity that can occur under certain conditions.
Roger Parker