Shem wrote: I agree and its not ideal but its better than some part worn tyres. Although age affects rubber Its heat cycles that really ruins tyres. If it was my wifes car then it would be a different story but I'm prepared to live with it for now. Has anyone checked the manufacturing date of any newly supplied TRXs? are Michelin still even making them?

Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.  19 yr old tyres?  They were a joke in the wet when they were new.   Best of luck with them.

I scrapped my TRX's some years ago.  Left them by a skip at my house as part of house clearance.  Some to**er nicked them, and then 2 days later they re-appeared next to the skip!!!! - he obviously thought he could sell them.  What a nightmare.

Never looked back with the imperials and some decent rubber

Shem wrote: .....Has anyone checked the manufacturing date of any newly supplied TRXs?

Not sure that the tyres carry date marks - I've never seen them.

are Michelin still even making them?

They are! Or rather, Coker Tires (a US company which owns the moulds now) are still making them. You can still get them http://www.mytyres.co.uk - HERE for example (actually, no, not at the moment!!!), and also via Costco if you have an account there.

AndyS wrote: ....This will have big implications for low annual mileage classics.....

Best start filling in that SORN form.....

Dear oh dear oh dear.

If I was driving around at 150 mph in the wet then I would be bothered. I don't so I'm not.

Its an old car on old tyres and it gets driven accordingly. What about the suspension rubbers, etc? Should I get all of these replaced because its a 'death trap'?

I like the original metric wheels and I want the car to be standard, I don't really want to switch to imperials. The performance of the TRXs is adequate for my needs of this car.

I have to agree with AndyS....they are scary in the wet even when you dont expect it....heck, for another £20 quid you could of had a set of 16's I have got with 4 good tyres.

Anyway, just what is it about TRX's that actually makes them bad in the wet?....anyone??

AndyS wrote: Hard compound. They just don't grip unless they're warm....

Seeing as there's a heatwave down here, best use 'em this week

A bargain is a bargain - no doubt about that. However four small bits of rubber is all that your car touches the road with, so be careful!

Personally, my advice to you would be to run those in the summer and dry only, and get another set for the wet winters, as your grip will be impaired.

Tyres, like everything synthetic will degrade over time, and the walls would be the weak point i would guess. It is entirely possible that once the outer tread has worn down a little, the rubber underneath will be fine, as it has not been exposed to the air for a number of years.

Personally I would run them, but as I have said not fast, and defo not in the wet, as you are clearly asking for trouble - even with new TRX's.

I would do a few brake tests!

I hope your tyres turn out to be a good purchase, and at the end of the day, its your car, so do what you want!

-Ben

Incedently - now that I have been running my Style 134's 16" for a bit I can report about a 2 MPG fuel gain on the M-ways compared to the TRX's, and i can finally beat a Fiat Punto around corners!

mjf297 wrote: ....live in probably the worst postcode in the UK for car crime - Hackney!! Ha, ha they ran a mile when they saw me coming

Oh I dunno, Dalston's pretty bad..... 

interesting mjf297...unfortunately, I'm currently banned (let's not go into it ..I basically undertook an un marked police car-thats it!!)

But I wondered, did you find it difficult getting insured again ?

PHB10186,

I noticed an MPG gain too .. after fitting style 33's on my old six.

DM

dog man wrote: interesting mjf297...unfortunately, I'm currently banned (let's not go into it ..I basically undertook an un marked police car-thats it!!) But I wondered, did you find it difficult getting insured again ? DM

All the quotes I got were just very expensive, I was told it was a combination of the ban, previous claims (one windscreen and one not my fault, all expenses recovered - still counts against you), age (27), postcode, insurance group 20 etc etc. I don't think the ban alone is a problem, maybe a handful of ultra-fussy insurers will say no. My other problem is i have nowhere to park the car off-street, and I use it everyday - both of these factors mean i can't get classic insurance. In the end I wangled getting the car put on my company's fleet policy, third party only - believe it or not still £100 per month and that was by FAR the cheapest  The things we do to live the dream!!!!

Thus concludes this debate:

Get some of Shem's tyres, and keep your licence, then you will be able to get your car repaired when it comes off the road, as you will have been able to get fully comp insurance in the first place.

In my oppinion having a 635 if you have a previous driving ban is about as clever as going to Amsterdam after you have just finished your detox program.

Yeah they came through fine and are fine in use. MAybe it will be different in the winter though.

I know they are not going to be as good and I know that TRXs are rubbish but I only ever get the car to slide when I mean it to