I bought a set of 165/55/R12 Dunlop D01J's back in 2006. They still have a lot of tread on them but are obviously an old tyre. Once the D01J became NLA in a 12in tyre, I always thought I could rely on the Yokohama A048. However I notice that has since been labeled as a Non-E tyre making it non-road legal.

What are the options now?

Could a 13in rim/tyre combo be sourced with the same rolling diameter? The 165/55/R12's have a rolling diameter of 486mm. Which I sort of need to maintain bodywork to wheel clearance at lock.

Looks like a 175/50/R13 has a rolling diameter of 505mm. I think that 19mm difference would be pretty important.

Or just get the A048 and hope no one finds out?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

I think the only reason the A048 lost it's E marking was that they are too noisy for drive-by noise on new cars in Europe. Might be wrong.

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*witty signature*

Sapphire Blue Deluxe spread across three parts cars, two sheds and a driveway...

The "E" is to meet EU requirements only.
I believe the EU performance benchmark they couldn't meet was wear, so the soft compound is track only but the medium, MH and LTS compounds meet this requirement.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

I’m not concerned about wear rates. I just need a 55 profile tyre... and this seems to be the only one left....? I think I’ve only seen it available in a medium in the 165/55/R12 size. Would you really get into strife with the law with this tyre?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

The only time it may cause you an issue is if you had an accident and it came up in the insurance claim / police report.

Don't think most Police will take much notice unless you cause them to by doing something silly.

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Current: 1976 Leyland Mini SS
Project: 1972 Leyland Mini Clubman

Does anyone sell the A048 in Australia? Or will I need to buy them direct from the UK?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Would be heaps cheaper from UK even with our GST added.

A$144 each at minisport UK inc GST. For 12".

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

$745 total including freight from Demon Tweeks.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Is GST only on orders over AUD 1000?

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"Show me the Mini!"

All orders since about July... But the vendor is supposed to collect it for orders under $1000. That said, I've only had it charged by eBay, stuff from most other overseas sellers has made it through - even the government admitted they only expected to catch about 50% of eligible imports from memory.

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*witty signature*

Sapphire Blue Deluxe spread across three parts cars, two sheds and a driveway...

Thanks Matt...they obviously don't care too much, as long as they keep inventing new ways to slug the public and the money keeps rolling in some way or another

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"Show me the Mini!"

'officially' it's on vendors who do more than $100K worth of business into Australia, so only the big ones. They'll round them all up eventually. Anyone looking to buy something from a retailer via Ebay should look for the retailers website first, I got stung a few months ago where I could have avoided it if I'd bought from them direct

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Bought another Carcoon for my black car off Demon Tweaks and really got stuffed around with lies and major delays.. So trying to avoid using them again.

Any other suggestions for 55 profile Semi Slick 12in tyre suppliers?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

As far as I know, Aus tyres only need a speed and load rating ... your tyres don ‘t need an E rating ..or the US equivalent (can’t remember what they call I it but it gives a wear, traction and heat rating).

So if the tyres you are interested in are marked for load and speed then they’re legal in Oz. I’ll bet there’s probably something in eache State’s regs about size as well.

Cheers, Ian

Have you tried Merlin Msport; they seem to be in the same business as DT and are reasonable guys to do business with...

Cheers, Ian