[CrackedHead]

Apollo's are actually decent. I bought a pair in 155/70/R12 after I failed to locate Michelin in that size. Paid 2250 per tyre in Bangalore.

[messershtig]

Hey thanks a lot @jatinpatel and @CrackedHead. I'll ask my friend to dump his current tyrewala and find someone else. I've heard good things about XM1s i'll ask my friend to give them a look

[chetanhanda]

I was restoring my 5 speed 12valve M800 back to original form as a reliable daily driver, and was looking for all 5 new tyres.
I am back in Pune after a long time so I don't know where I can get these kind of tyres.

Currently I'm using JK ultimas 145 70 R12 on 12" alloys.
-Does anyone know of places where I can get something wider like 155 mm but with same aspect ratio of 70 or lower in Pune ? something like 155 70 R12 or 155 60 R12.
-Has anyone faced issues by going lower than 70 and wider than 145 like scraping inner sides of the body while turning or while jumping on speeds etc ?
-Just FYI these are the quotes I have got so far for tubeless 14570R12
[a]JK ULtima xp : 2100 Rs
[b]Goodyear :2000 Rs
[c]MRF :1900 Rs
[d]Some generic chiness : 1750 Rs
Any inputs ?

[josejoseph]

Originally Posted by chetanhanda

I was restoring my 5 speed 12valve M800 back to original form as a reliable daily driver, and was looking for all 5 new tyres.
I am back in Pune after a long time so I don't know where I can get these kind of tyres.

Currently I'm using JK ultimas 145 70 R12 on 12" alloys.
-Does anyone know of places where I can get something wider like 155 mm but with same aspect ratio of 70 or lower in Pune ? something like 155 70 R12 or 155 60 R12.
-Has anyone faced issues by going lower than 70 and wider than 145 like scraping inner sides of the body while turning or while jumping on speeds etc ?
-Just FYI these are the quotes I have got so far for tubeless 14570R12
[a]JK ULtima xp : 2100 Rs
[b]Goodyear :2000 Rs
[c]MRF :1900 Rs
[d]Some generic chiness : 1750 Rs
Any inputs ?

Hello chetanhanda, good luck with your restoration! I too own a 5-speed version and I'm enjoying every moment with my car. In a week's time I'll reach 1 lakh on the odo.

To answer your queries:
You can fit 155/70/R12, 145/80/R12, 165/65/R12 tires on the stock rims. I have 155/70/R12 in my car and the rear right scrapes the arches when going at speeds over bumps. But the left side never scrapes. I had to put spacers on the rear shock to handle this.

There are M800 owners here in the forum who have put 145/80/R12 who's never faced scraping.

I've heard that 165/65/R12 can also be fitted that does not foul with the wheels arches. I'm not sure.

I went for 155/70 profile considering better grip and riding comfort.

When I went for hunting tires, I wanted Michelin 155/70 which was very hard to find. I finally got 4 tires from 2 shops. But Good Year and Nexen brands were readily available in this size.

I'm not sure about the prices of tires now, but last Nov. 2010 I paid 2.5k per tire.

Why don't you check Michelin 145/70/R12? They were around 2.25K per tire when I enquired.

Also I request you not to go for any Chinese make. Tires contribute a major part of your safety on roads. Please don't compromise on that.

After restoration, please post pictures of your car.

Happy motoring.

With regards,
Jose.

[para_7k]

@chetanhanda,

You can go for 155/65 R12. IMO, this is the best upsize for an M800.

With the launch of TATA Nano, this tyre size should be widely available.

One such model I know is Apollo Amazer 3G. Look out for other brands as well.

[chetanhanda]

Originally Posted by josejoseph

Hello chetanhanda, good luck with your restoration! I too own a 5-speed version and I'm enjoying every moment with my car. In a week's time I'll reach 1 lakh on the odo.

To answer your queries:
You can fit 155/70/R12, 145/80/R12, 165/65/R12 tires on the stock rims. I have 155/70/R12 in my car and the rear right scrapes the arches when going at speeds over bumps. But the left side never scrapes. I had to put spacers on the rear shock to handle this.

There are M800 owners here in the forum who have put 145/80/R12 who's never faced scraping.

I've heard that 165/65/R12 can also be fitted that does not foul with the wheels arches. I'm not sure.

I went for 155/70 profile considering better grip and riding comfort.

When I went for hunting tires, I wanted Michelin 155/70 which was very hard to find. I finally got 4 tires from 2 shops. But Good Year and Nexen brands were readily available in this size.

I'm not sure about the prices of tires now, but last Nov. 2010 I paid 2.5k per tire.

Why don't you check Michelin 145/70/R12? They were around 2.25K per tire when I enquired.

Also I request you not to go for any Chinese make. Tires contribute a major part of your safety on roads. Please don't compromise on that.

After restoration, please post pictures of your car.

Happy motoring.

With regards,
Jose.

Hey thanks..if the 155/70/R12 scraped your wheel arches I'm sure I'll also have the same issue.
Based on this input I'm going to have a look at the rear suspension on a ramp and try to figure out why this scraping is specific to the right side on our models.
I got another quote for Goodyear 155/70/r12 for 2140 Rs.
Regarding the restoration ..sure I'll post some pics.

[chetanhanda]

Originally Posted by para_7k

@chetanhanda,

You can go for 155/65 R12. IMO, this is the best upsize for an M800.

With the launch of TATA Nano, this tyre size should be widely available.

One such model I know is Apollo Amazer 3G. Look out for other brands as well.

Thanks - thats an interesting point , I didnt know nano had similar profile.
I think it will be easier to look for this profile then.

[chetanhanda]

I picked up a set of Yokohamas 165 60 R12.
I went 2 sizes up on the width and also low on the profile.
These look really awesome with the assymetrical tread wrapped around alloys. If they are good enough for mini coopers..they are good enough for the M800.
I double checked every tyre after mounting with full steering lock on both sides + clearance on the rear side and they did not seem to touch any of the body parts or the suspension.
But I'm sure if the profile was 70 it would have touched the front tyres inner edge on full lock.
I test drove it for some time and didnt notice any scraping issues.
Grip and handling is awesome- these are much quieter and the road noise has dropped, the same road surfaces I travelled over seem so much smoother with these tyres.
The braking has also noticeably improved.
These wil be primarily used on good roads from home to office on weekdays and blasting down Mumbai-Pune freeway ferrying stuff on the weekends ..so I think these wouldn't see much of the bad road surfaces making the 60 profile more suitable as compared to the 70 and the 80 etc.

[para_7k]

Originally Posted by chetanhanda

I picked up a set of Yokohamas 165 60 R12.
I went 2 sizes up on the width and also low on the profile.
These look really awesome with the assymetrical tread wrapped around alloys. If they are good enough for mini coopers..they are good enough for the M800.

Congrats. Are these the Yokohama A539s ?

How much did you pay for each tyre and can you post some pics ?

[josejoseph]

Originally Posted by chetanhanda

I picked up a set of Yokohamas 165 60 R12.
I went 2 sizes up on the width and also low on the profile.
These look really awesome with the assymetrical tread wrapped around alloys. If they are good enough for mini coopers..they are good enough for the M800.

Hello chetanhanda, does the steering feel heavier now?

With regards,
Jose.

[chetanhanda]

Originally Posted by para_7k

Congrats. Are these the Yokohama A539s ?

How much did you pay for each tyre and can you post some pics ?

Yes they are the A539s
2600 Rs per tyre.
Sure I'll post the pics.
BTW anyone knows the correct pressure for these for a M800..I'm filling 26 psi now as the car is always driven empty with no passengers.
Any suggestions for the psi ?

[chetanhanda]

Originally Posted by josejoseph

Hello chetanhanda, does the steering feel heavier now?

With regards,
Jose.

Nope, not that noticeable..ths is coming from someone who was using crappy thin non radial MRF's on the front for some time(temporary till I got the replacement rubber) + JK ultimas in the rear(worn out doing duty in the front)

[josejoseph]

Originally Posted by chetanhanda

Any suggestions for the psi ?

You can fill the tires at 30 psi.

With regards,
Jose.

[Nagesh]

Am planning to change to 145/80 or 155/70 Michelin for my M800. Havent changed the tires (Goodyear) since we bought the car in 2003 - its run about 40k and the car wobbles at low speed.

Wanted to know if we get both these profiles in Michelin. Also, could anyone let me know the prices for these?

Thanks!
Nagesh

[para_7k]

Originally Posted by Nagesh

Am planning to change to 145/80 or 155/70 Michelin for my M800. Havent changed the tires (Goodyear) since we bought the car in 2003 - its run about 40k and the car wobbles at low speed.

Wanted to know if we get both these profiles in Michelin. Also, could anyone let me know the prices for these?

Thanks!
Nagesh

Both the sizes you have mentioned will touch the inner sides of the wheel arch on tall humps or speed breakers.

I don't personally recommend them unless you get spacers or you can roll up the fender insides.

Spend some time through this thread.

IMO, the best sizes will be 155/65 R12 or 165/60 R12.

165/60 R12 might need a rim upgrade as well.

Keep us posted on your purchase. Good luck