[Spridgets] Tyres - Whether tis better to replace or no

[Martyn Ridley]

I am running the Sprite on Dunlop SP20  165/70 13s.  They have just over 
20,000 miles, and still have 4mm of tread.  Never had a flat, no cracks 
in the sidewall, still look almost new. Good quality New Zealand 
rubber.  Trouble is, they were made 397 (39th week 1997).

I have read a lot about and experienced (cheap Kumhos) internal rot and 
external hardening (8+ year old Michelins) but see no evidence of either 
on the Dunlops. They are not run in winter nor, if I am lucky, in 
adverse conditions.  I have never experienced bump-steer in the dry with 
them, and wet braking was never a 'joy' at the best of times.

If I replace them I will want to go to 155/80 13s, which are becoming 
rare in my part of the world. (well not true, but I'll be dammed if I'm 
going to spend a fortune to put Michelins on)

My question to the list is therefore two-fold, one should I replace the 
tyres, and second, given that I will not pay 200/tyre what are my 
non-Chinese options?


Cheers,

Martyn


PS: I thought there was a similar thread back about last spring, but I 
can't find it.  If someone has it and can summarize I would appreciate it.