By: 'Richard'

I have a Melos that needs new rear tyres. The current size is 205/60/13/H. I am having great difficulty getting a good tyre. Does anybody have a recommendation or should I fit a different size.

By: 'mal'

Try 185/60 yoko A539's - awesome tyre.
520 Bridgestone in same size also quite good.

By: 'Andy'

what size rims do you have as it very important you buy a tyre that fits the rims 7J would suit the 205 but 6 - 6.5 would be ok for the 185.60's are you using it just for road or occasional track use ? I use Faulken 205 /60 /13 bloody good tyre on track at Donington and quite hard for low wear road use and air field days too. price was considerably cheaper than the sticky Yokies with probably half the wear rate but Yokies are a superb track tyre!!!
Its your choice ...you pays yer money ...etc...etc

By: 'Richard'

Thanks Mal and Andy.

I expect to use the car mostly on the road, with a very little track work. My mileage will be low, no more than 3000 per year, if that. How do you tell if the rims are 7J or 6J? Current tyre fitted is 205/60/13 bridgestone. Thanks.

By: 'Sean'

It will be stamped on them, either the inner or outer side. Mine says 7jx13 for my Capri wheels that run 205's.

By: 'Richard'

I am still confused re the right size tyre for my Melos. I think my wheels are the orginal Dutton steel ones, 5.5J 13 fitted with 205/60/13 tyres. The Melos build manual suggests that this is the right size for this rim. THerefore do I do a like for like replacement or should I fit a different size tyre.

By: 'andy(doc 3781)'

I would not recommend 205's on this rim size - Max tyre for a rim 50mm so 5.5 x 25.4 = 140 then + 50 =190 so max tyre size 185 - Minimum rim for a 205 is 6 inch preferably 6.5 - My suggestion on your car would be 185/70 13's - a good brand say an Goodyear NCT 2 or similar for normal road use or go Yokohama rubber for a more sporting compound. 205's may look nice and wide but really they do nothing for the ride or handling of a Dutton 185's are far better and will give more "feel" - But thats a personal choice.

By: 'Ray'

I would agree, 205's are pig's in the wet, the car isn't heavy enough to hold 205's onto the tarmac and you just aqua plane every time it rains, go for the 185/70 13's.If it helps there is a tyre size converter on my web site.

Panthar-Pages

By: 'Richard'

Thanks everybody I now know that I should buy 185/70/13 tyres for my 5.5J wheels. Last question, what Tyre pressure should they be? Thanks.

By: 'tony d'

Hi Richard

Most peeple seem to agree on anywhere between 16psi and 22psi, i run 18psi front and 16psi rear, it does make things more comfortable than going 4 about 28psi which is what tyre centers seem to think.

By: 'mal'

16 or 17PSI front and rear, is all you'll need. Buy the best tyres you can afford it's worth the small extra amount I'd go for the yoko's everytime