2nd opinion needed on 83 BBi tires

I will need to replace the rear tires on my BBi, this Spring. As we know, the tire size is the Michelin 240/55 VR 415 TRX.......both front and rear, with the rear rim wider.

Another Boxer owner recommeded that I get the 280/45 VR 415 TRX, for the rears.

Coker has both tires, which have the following dimensions:

240/55: OD= 27.2 inches; diameter= 9.8 inches.
280/45: OD= 26.7 inches; diameter= 11.5 inches, which will be 3/4 inch wider on each side.

My car is still in storage.........that darn SNOW!!!!!!!!!!

I would appreciate any comments, pro and con.

Thanks,

Hank

This is probably not what you are going to want to hear:

I recommend dropping the TRX wheels and tires and putting on a set of modern wheels (17" or 18") so that you can use the modern max performance tires. Tire technology has come very far from the mid 1980's, the newst tires completely outclass any tires you can put on TRX rims.

Mitch,

Boxer replacement rims are $$$$$

the are not the lug kind. They are a single nut

Hi Henry,

I would stick with TRX's and put the larger tires on the rear. The fender wells will take the added witdh with no problem and you'll get a little extra grip in the back on agressive days.

Thanks guys,

I will go with JRV's advice. After making some calls, the only way to get "US" style wheels, is to remove the center splines, ship them to England, and they will make a spacer that will attach the spline to a new wheel. I don't recall the cost, but it was up there. I decided against it, when the guy said ".....it should work". I rather not take the chance.

Go for it Hank...mine look and work great
Thanks for the help the other day too.
Bob

I have just replaced the rears on my BBi with the 280/45 TRX,only last week, they look well and the sidewall actually sits better, and does not protrude as much as the 240 tyre, when the wheels were off the 240 appeared to be pulled outwards, the tyre shop owner even commented on it, I have only driven the car briefly since I fitted them but it does feel good. They are not cheap, but you should also remember that the 280 tyres on sale are recently manufactured and although the trx is a design from the 80s, the rubber compounds used in making current stock are up to date, just ask the vendor you buy from when they were manufactured.
steve