145/80 14 Bridgestone B381

[alfie]

Hi,

I'm interest in member's experiences with this tyre or any others in this particular size.

I don't run an A2 or Lupo 3L, but have an interest in tyres of this size. I own a DAF 66 which originally had 135x14 tyres which have been unavailable for some years. The car has some old 145/80 14 Kumho Power Star 756 tyres and one of them blew out recently, so I had to fit the spare which was an equally ancient Michelin ZX 135SR14.

I noticed Delticom doesn't list the B381 currently and so I phoned Bridgestone Ireland, who quoted the computer and said "no" and that they had no idea they ever made them. I then phoned Bridgestone UK and they said "A2? They're on back order". No indication of being discontinued yet, but not in stock.

Thanks,
A

[erstens]

Yes, there are no tyres for the 1,2 TDI A2 and a lot of people are looking for them...
There is a real big problem with that.

[RAB]

I have contacted Bridgestone on this subject. They have already stopped making B381's for the Lupo 3L but they are, in theory at least, still available for the A2 1.2. They do NOT have an adequate replacement for the Lupo. Bridgestone did not tell me for how long B381's would be available for the A2. However, there are only a few manufacturers for A2 size, whereas there are many for the 3L size which may explain why they discontinued the latter.

RAB

[ecoangel]

This size has been around since the 1960s and was fitted as standard to Lancia Fulvias from 1960 through early 1970s. There are still over 2000 Fulvias in use in the EU.

I have had no difficulty in getting them from bridgstone both in the uk and Germany.

The problem is getting Continental's Winter tyre in this size.

The Lancia Forum is well aware of this issue and should help Bridgestone maintain stock for a good few years yet! See: http://www.viva-lancia.com/lancia_fora/read.php?f=10&i=3646&t=3646

[blacky1.2]

Following a post in the German A2 forum, Bridgestone has made a new lot of tyres in Japan, and they are on the sea way to Europe now. They will be available about end of May.

:confused:They had troubles with the production line and a defective mold and therefore are late...

I hope to get two sets (1 spare...). This and last summer I am driving on 165/70 R 14 from Semperit (Comfort Line), but I cannot get under 3.4 L/100 km:( with them.

rgds

Markus