What tyres for Hartges? 215/45/16

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 10:22 am

My hartges currently have 205 45 16 tyres fitted but I'm looking at swapping them to to the better size of 215/45/16 but the tyres I normally run, T1-R proxies don't come in this size.

There's pilot sport 3's or conti sport contacts in this size, has anyone got any advice in this size please?

Thanks Matt

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 10:46 am

Original tyre spec from Hartge was either 205/50/16 all round or 205/50/16 front and 225/45/16 Rear.

I'm running the later.

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 11:08 am

Have you got any pics of your car on these tyre sizes? I've seen Sweeps recently on 215/45/16's and it looks a lot better than mine which look stretched but they were as new when i bought the rims.

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 11:09 am

Is yours pre or post facelift? do the 225 rears clear ok?

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 11:41 am

Its a pre facelift cab, you can find some pics in the below link:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 12:33 pm

That looks spot on, so thats on the 225/45 rears and 205/50 fronts?

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 12:48 pm

I have 225/40 all round on mine, I wouldnt buy them again, wish id have bought 225/45 purely because of the shite roads

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:09 pm

Sorry it's a bit off topic (but still tyre related) I wanted 225/45r16 tyres but not sure on my rims

They're 7j all round so not sure if the 225 tyres will be too big for the wheels
Thanks

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:15 pm

I've used 225/45 all round on hartges before and not only does it look spot on, it's also what Hartge specified back in the day. Also note that BMW fitted 225/45s on the E30 M3 variants fitted with 7.5x16 BBSs. I had no clearance issues on my Touring with Hartges, 225/45s and lower suspension (Bilstein/Eibachs).

Here's a link to some pics: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ng&start=0

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 2:00 pm

appletree wrote:That looks spot on, so thats on the 225/45 rears and 205/50 fronts?

Thats right, however i have been thinking of changing the fronts to 205/45/16 as it catches on the arches (due to the lowered suspension).

Post Thu Feb 26, 2015 2:42 pm

If i go 225 45 16 all round that would mean i can still run the T1-R's which I like (£83 at Camskill), is there any issue with running a wider front with the Z3 racks? I've noticed a few scuff marks on the arch liners on the inside.

Post Fri Feb 27, 2015 10:22 am

T1-r's are not a good tyre, its a shame there are limited manufacturers for this size as Toyo's are just pants.

Post Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:52 pm

I find them perfectly fine for road use

Post Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:57 pm

I would recommend

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s310p112 ... se%3A_71dB

for road use, they have a much better compound and side wall stricture that makes them quiet, comfortable and the tread design is way better.

Looks like there is more choice these days!

Post Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:05 pm

I like t1-t's too. They are good on roads and speeds below 60mph I have a set of 15" for "sports" use.

My Hartges are currently shod in 215/45/16 Yoko Advan but I am considering switching to either the Vredestein Sportrac 3 205/55/16 or Pirelli cinturato p7

Post Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:07 pm

Well worth the extra £20 per tyre, while the toyos are ok they are not worth the price IMO

Post Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:16 pm

I think so too Dan

Post Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:42 pm

You can get conti sport contact 2's in 225 45 16 but that's about it... Other than the T1-R's

Post Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:50 pm

225 45 16 on the rears smoke much better

Post Sat Feb 28, 2015 1:06 pm

I know this is a bit of a thread hijack but i was thinking this week to get my 15" BBS's refurbed with some fresh rubber on them for everyday use and get rid of the 14" BBS's

I was talking to a good friend of mine about what tyres he runs on his Cooper S which is pushing close to 300bhp and he cant recommend these tyres enough:

Anyone had any experience with them? Mine are 205/50 R15 on the Rear and 195/50 15's on the front.

Dry grip 94%!!!

Which is what im looking for to put the power down in the M30!

Post Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:43 pm

Ad08 is nla Ad08r is the new version of that tyre.
Great for dry grip but dont expect anything in the wet.

Post Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:48 pm

NoTurbo wrote:Ad08 is nla Ad08r is the new version of that tyre.
Great for dry grip but dont expect anything in the wet.

Only really planning to drive it in the summer tbh but this is England after all, who knows when it might rain lol

Any recommendations for a super all round tyre?

Post Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:51 pm

Well i am considering either Vredestein Sportrac 3 205/55/16 or Pirelli cinturato p7

Post Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:55 pm

NoTurbo wrote:Well i am considering either Vredestein Sportrac 3 205/55/16 or Pirelli cinturato p7

Both good tyres!

I was even contemplating some Michelins

M cars use them so they must be doing something right!

Post Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:07 pm

I've been running Schnitzer rims on my lowered touring with 205/45/16 front and 225/45/16 rear with no problems!!!

I'll be changing the fronts for the correct size 205/50/16 in the spring!!!

I've used Toyo T1's on and off for some time - I usually find them pretty good, though the pair I bought new last summer, seemed to offer way better grip than the previous pair of 'identical' tyres which were only a year old (replaced due to punctures!!!).
I do think though they are probably a very good mid range tyre, rather than a great tyre!!!

I'm considering trying the Dunlop Sportmaxx RT on the fronts soon - anyone got any experience with these???