Note
MGBGTV8
MG RV8
Survey sample size
18
22
Mileage
.
.
Total (av)
101,356
21,225
Total (high)
346,000
62,000
Total (low)
17,000
7,300
Annual (av)
3,378
2,272
Old tyres
.
.
Michelin
7
17
Uniroyal
1
1
Nokian
1
0
Firestone
1
1
Avon
1
0
Gadjah Tungal
1
0
Dunlop
1
0
Bridgestone
2
1
Pirelli
0
1
Goodyear
2
0
Yokohama
0
1
Vredestein
0
0
Brand unknown
1
0
Reason for change
.
..
Better handling
12
14
Age effect
13
14
Damaged tyre
2
0
None mentioned
3
6
Probable mileage to last tyre change (av)
24,718
20,240
Age of tyre at change
8.53 years
8.91 years
New tyres
.
.
Michelin
3
7
Firestone
4
1
Goodyear
1
3
Falken
0
1
Pirelli
1
5
Dunlop
1
1
Continental
2
1
Vredestein
2
0
Uniroyal
1
0
Yokohama
0
2
Toyo
1
0
Kumho
0
1
Bridgestone
2
0
Price incl VAT (av)
£55.73
£74.54
Tyre supplier
.
.
Micheldever
2
5
Online supplier
1
0
Other
15
17
Recommend them?
18
13
Ride/handling
.
.
Improved
9
5
Excellent improvement
11
14
Handling worse!
0
1
No observation made
0
2
Footnote: survey data in 2009 indicate tyres have increased in price substantially compared with 2008.

Report produced: 13th July 2004, revised 21st July 2004 and again on 11th August 2004 and 13th September 2004 and 24th December 2004, 21st March 2005, 14th June 2005, 16th June 2005, 22nd March 2007, 20 May 2007, 4th June 2007, 11th June 2007, 5th July 2007, 23rd August 2007, 30th October 2007, 21st December 2007, 28th April 2008, 15th September 2008, 12th April 2009 and 23rd August 2010.
Distorting effect in the data for the MGBGTV8 tyre survey
The mileage data from the MGBGTV8 tyre survey is distorted by the exceptionally high mileage of one enthusiast's car, Gordon Hesketh-Jones had done 346,000 miles when he sent in his survey form! Removing that data, the adjusted figures are:
MGBGTV8

Adjusted
data
(miles)

 Original
data
( miles)
Total mileage (av) 86,967 101,356
Annual mileage (av) 2,898 3,378
Probable mileage at last tyre change (av) 24,718 24,718
Replacement tyres are a frequent topic of discussion amongst V8 enthusiasts so we have conducted a survey of members' views and experiences
Early in 2003 we did a brief survey of RV8 replacement tyres with our members and some interesting results emerged - not least the "age effect" on tyres. This has a marked effect on ride and handling and was seen to be the principal factor in the decision to replace RV8 tyres. It seems that with classic cars with relatively light use and low annual mileages, tyres will often need replacement more on the basis of age than wear. Why? - well over time the flexible characteristics of road rubber change as the tyres age. With older tyres, the tyres can feel more like "wood" than rubber. Many members have commented that following replacing their tyres with a new set, they find the ride and handling of their V8 is substantially improved.

Update survey report (22.3.07)
The sample size for both the MGBGTV8 and RV8 tyre surveys is relatively small so only limited indications can be drawn. From the average annual mileage data, it's clear RV8s are used less than MGBGTV8s but for both models the tyres are changed at around 7 to 9 years. A greater awareness of the "age effect" on tyres and the consequent reduction in handling performance is likely to be the factor behind the decision by members to change RV8 tyres at an average of only 19,258 miles and MGBGTV8s at only 24,529 miles (if you remove the distorting effect on the data - see above).

Choice of replacement tyres?
The tyre brand chosen by MGBGTV8 enthusiasts is Michelin (17.5%), Firestone (23.5%) and Continental (12%). RV8 enthusiasts have chosen a variety of replacement brands with 32% staying with Michelin and 23% opting for Pirelli. This is a change from our earlier survey where most RV8 members had stuck with a Michelin replacement. Micheldever in Hampshire (just off the A303) is proving a popular tyre supplier with many respondents commenting on their good service and prices although we believe the ownership of that company may have changed recently.

RV8 handling worse!
You may have spotted this in the data alongside. Well one RV8 member sent in a report where replacement tyres had been fitted just before he purchased the car. The replacements were Firestone Firehawks and his comment was "No I would not recommend them! I have never ever experienced a tyre with so little wet weather grip. I have driven on wet tracks with slicks and these are almost as bad in a corner. In dry weather they are acceptable".
Note: the "probable mileage at last tyre change (av)" quoted in the tables alongside is the mileage on the tyres that were replaced. This is given to indicate the typical mileage at which the tyres were changed - clearly that data suggests replacement is almost certainly on an age-related basis rather than because of wear.

Hopefully this will act as a reassuring guide for members who, through natural feelings of thrift, find it difficult to throw away tyres which appear to have plenty of tread left. The reality is the condition of the rubber is likely to be affecting the ride and handling and replacing them with new rubber will transform both.
You can still contribute to the V8 tyre survey by completing a convenient online survey form which should take less than four minutes to fill in. It's very similar to our "Registration" form many members have already used. You simply complete the survey form online, press the "Send" button, and then the data is sent to the V8 Registrar as an automated email.
See members' reports on their replacement tyres. More