Tires sizes

[dgcole01]

Tires sizes?

Hi all. Looking for some input on tire sizes and brand. My late Mark II Roadster was built in 2005 and only has a little over 5K miles. I've put about 600 on it in the month I've owned it. Yesterday I was in the garage and checked the date codes on the tires. Late 2003!, I guess they mast have sat in a warehouse a bit before the first owner bought them. I'm #3. I don't trust a 16 yr old tire regardless of looks.

My problem is the rear tires are no longer made in the size I have.

The tires are BF Goodrich Radial TA's with the side lettering buffed off and replaced with Goodyear Billboard lettering from Treadwears. Rear is 275/50-15 on a 15X10 Team II Halibrand. Front is 235/60-15 on the a 15X8 wheel

Really like the looks of the wide tires on the rear. Next size up is a 295/50, but it's also a good bit taller. The 295 is available in both BFG and Cooper.

Thoughts?

[Greg K]

The 295 is probably your best bet, less than an inch greater in diameter and width. Brand or price is your option.

[FFR 3099]

You might want to consider if the 295's will fit on the fender and clear the chassis on your Mk2. As I recall they are a little too tight on the inside of the Mk2's. I have been really happy with my with to 255/60-15's on my Mk2. I have IRS and 9.5 inch wide wheels. I think the diameter matches well with the 235's on the front, larger but look correct in proportion and fill the wheel wells nicely. I have no clearance problems at all now.

[Murd]

Not sure if 295s fit on a mk2, I recall reading they don’t but can’t speak from experience. I have 295s on my mk4 and the larger overall diameter fills the wheel wells better and looks more correct compared to many other popular sizes.

[ptstew]

I just put Cooper 295/50-15s on the rear of my Mk 1.5. I also had old 275/50-15 BFGs. The passenger side is fine. The driver side rubs the body on the outside when going over big bumps, like a speed bump, too fast with a full tank of gas. I am planning to raise the rear ride height a cm or so to try to get rid of it. Before installing I reversed my quad shocks so that the thinner end was to the rear.

[ptstew]

Raised rear ride height 1/4 spring turn and rubbing much improved but not gone. Other folks on here report no problem with 295/50-15s with Halibrand wheels. Mine are Compomotive which may be a bit different. Mickey Thompson have a 275/50-15 tire you could check out.