My 1975 2.2 has almost new BF Goodrich P-Sport 195-55-R15 tires. They're my third set (second on this 914 and also had P-Sports on my GLI VR6). Great tires, but they don't make them anymore.
On my GLI VR6 I have Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires which are AMAAAAAAAAAAzing. I friggin' LOVE these tires. But sadly, they don't make them for a 15" wheel.
My LE has Ohtsu Zexius 205-60-R15. They're newish but these tires are pretty terrible. They hold no traction in wet condition. So I'm looking for new tires. Also trying to decide whether to keep 205-60 or go 205-65. I like the 55 on my other 914, but probably dangerously too low. Suggestions?
I am mostly concerned for performance. I'd rather buy good tires that I have to replace more often than get tires that aren't as good performers that will last me a few years. Hydroplaning and wet traction are priority. I could care less about comfort and road noise (we drive 914s, after all).
What tires do you guys really like - or would like on your cars?
Just today, I ordered 4 Bridgestone RE960 Pole Position tires, sized 195/65r15 for my stock bodied car. These are discontinued but still available. Everything I read seemed to be pretty positive without breaking the budget ($104 each mounted and balanced) Was gonna go with 60s but I like the look of a slightly larger sidewall and I didn't want to change the gearing/speedo.
195/65 15 is the closest to the original size if that's what you're looking for. The sidewalls do look tall in comparison to most modern cars, but they are period correct. I'd check with tire Rack or their competition to see what's available in that size as it seems to change all to often as tires are discontinues.
Coker tire can help you out! but you don't want to know the prices!
Yeah, I always spend a lot of time on Tire Rack doing research. But I wanted to hear from other members what they have actually used and are very happy with. These are my current two searches there - One is for size 205-60-15 and the other is 205-65-15. Anybody running 205-65? Too big?
Too bad they don't make those Michelin Pilot Super Sports in 15" :/
205-60-15 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?customSizeSearch=&width=205%2F&ratio=60&diameter=15
205-65-15 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?customSizeSearch=&width=205%2F&ratio=65&diameter=15
Michelin's are nice tires, but always a bit more and dont usually last as long as they are rated for- in my experience.
I can't help much as i dont have 15" rims, and have not had 15" fuchs either 4 or 5 lug on my car, - but you might look at Kohmo tires, i had a set on another car and had excellent traction all-weather, lasted about 50K miles.
So i just got some 14" fuchs from a 914/6 and put them on my '75,, my local porsche mechanic and i went over a few options, price was good, at about $100/tire mounted balanced and installed, included shipping, and they ordered them from tirerack! they are 195/65- 14, - here is where i learned something. I had EMPI 15" before,195-55/15's, and they were snug but fit , but now with the fuchs the offset is better and i have a good 3/4" + of room- i could have put on 205's with no problem whatsoever- but these look period correct, yes they are just a bit smaller than the stock 185 70 14's that came on the 914/6 but my speedo is right on the money. there are several off brands that my other tire shop carries that are still a good speed rating, rankin or Nexxen , something like that, on those EMPI's - but now that i know i can fit the 205's i'm looking for some 15" fuchs for D.E./AX , and keep these for road.
- now on my 2000 boxster i just replaced my rear tires and stayed with Pirelli P-Zero's , i really like them!, i would have bought pirelli's for the 914 if they made that size-
I'm not so much worried about the speed rating because I Drive a stock 2.0.. Hydroplaning and wet traction are my biggest concern. I want a grippy tire and drive with confidence. Typically a tire that needs those needs has a higher speed rating anyway because they're more performance oriented. These are actually the first Michelin tires I bought and I bought them for their performance. BFGoodrich g-force sport were very good but they don't make those anymore and they were very inexpensive too. I will keep them on 15 inch whebecause its for my LE. I'm just looking to see what's new out there available in a 15" wheel that is very good performance wise.
Do you remember which model you had before? Will research them.
I'm using maypops!
Riken Raptors
Front on 6x16:
205/50/16
Rear on 7x16:
225/50/16
Had to pull out the rear fenders to fit.
No complaints with the Raptors. They seem to grip well. Haven't had them long enough to know about the longevity.
Jesus Ripper !
I will send you wheels and tires if you pay the shipping.
John
Looks like big time toe-in or you're driving NASCAR left-turn-only ovals.
Vroom-Vroom
I've never been accused of changing parts before the end of their use full life.
I'll buy some more soon.
I see some 914 owners seem to like the Goodyear Eagle GT (or maybe it's one of the better of the lot because we're limited due to our wheel size).
I also see some 914 owners with the Dunlop SP Sport Signature. Never driven on those. Again, may be one of the better in the limited 15" lot.
I had the Firestone Precision Sport last time on my GLI. They also come in a 15" wheel. They were just okay.
There's a few different Bridgestone Potenzas that are supposed to be goo, that vary in performance per model.
I keep a portable tire inflater in my car as well.
Thumbs up on Goodyear Eagle GT (195/60-15). Decent grip, decent feel in the wheel, decent ride, look a little wider than the Pirelli's that I had before.
But from what I've heard they were recently discontinued so supplies are dwindling.
I have Michelin XZX 165SR15's on mine. The mfg. date code on them is like Oct. 1991.
They are pretty much still full tread! they have not seen much asphalt in the last 22 years. I guess I'm going to have to replaced them when the resto is finished, so a lot of good info in this thread!
http://s139.photobucket.com/user/photoc6z/media/028_zpsa05c05d5.jpg.html
WOW! Is there any dry rot? If they stay inflated and roll once in a while, the belts will still be good. Maybe you can still use them.
Roll them. If they hadn't been inflated in a while and stood still, the belt inside will bend. This can be only temporary, as you drive they round out again. But if they were greatly deflated while sitting and didn't roll occasionally, the bend in the belt could be damaged. Otherwise, you can still use them.
Trip down memory lane with the XXZs...
Rubber that old won't have any grip and is likely to be rotting even if you can't see it. Most say 6-7 years and replace.
Goodyear Eagle GTs are now called "Sport AS"....
I'm buying 195/65 r15 tires...
I just put the new 970 Bridgestone Potenzas on our 350z.
I really like them. They are rated for all weather driving and are way quieter than the crappy 960's that were on there before.
They are not as sticky as the Pole Positions that came with the car and will run in the rain pretty well down there. Plus they have a 40K wear guaranty....not that you will ever need that on a teener.
Tires can get rather subjective. I like on my teener, stiff sidewalls and a sticky tire.
I don't worry about wet pavement here cause I don't drive mine in the rain.
Hope this helps.
I got mine running on Dunlop sp sports 5000. 195 65 15 on narrow body. I think they are great. I drove it on a so cal winter storm 20 miles confidently. Acelaration and braking is good considering we are driving a 914
Unfortunately, there's not much to choose from in a 15" wheel anymore, with oversized wheels trending the last few years.
The BF Goodrich g-Force tires I have on my red car (195-55-15) only have a few hundred miles on them. They are my 3rd set (2x for the 914, once for my GLI VR6). I thought about swapping them for the ones on my LE before my red car goes since they're discontinued and I like them so much (for what was available in 15" tires). And I like the low look of them and performance. But that xar rides LOW and I'd like to keep the LE looking somewhat stock. I may stay with the size on there 205-60-15. I think really though, it's going to come down to the best of what's available. I may try the Eagle GT this time.
So selling tires on Craigslist worked? Better luck to do that or take them to a used tire shop? I can't imagine buying used tires. Dangerous.
Michelin, make your Pilot Super Sports in a 15"! Why'd you have to stop at 16"? :/.
Not sure for the North American market but here in Japan I bought some Bridgestone Potenza RE11A ones, I got mine in 195/50-15 but they are also available in a 55 series like your old tire, they offer lots of grip and I absolutely love them and 15 inch tires are so cheap compared to modern 18 inch or larger tires...I think the 50 series is a bit too low for me and when the day comes for new tires I will probably go with the 55 tires if they are still available.
^This. RE-11s are fantastic. They wear quickly but a ton of grip. I had a set on a Corvette C6 I used to own, and they were very quiet too despite the widths (265 front, 305 rear).
^I had RE050s before they turned to RE11's.. FANTASTIC tires... Best set of tires I ever had.. I even put 40k miles on them and they are 1/2 gone! Used on my Audi A4..
Just bought a set of Bridgestone 960 Pole Positions today from Tire Rack.... SHould be here tomorrow. I went with 195/60 R15 for 2.0 Fuchs.
I did some investigating, what about Yokohama S. Drive - 205/55 r15s?
Are 205/55 tires okay fitment-wise on 2.0 Fuchs wheels? No rubbing? spacers needed?
Nice. Thanks mittelmotor and Andyrew. I'll look into the Bridgestone Potenza RE11A and RE050 to compare and check out their performance stats and reviews.
I've got a set of Riviera's on my teener, and it's currently on 165 r 15's that are probably past their use by date.
heaps of room in the front, but only about 2cm worth at the rear ( and less on one side than the other ) .
The rear guard lips seems to be trimmed ( the metal has a scalloped section at the top, but im not sure if this is stok or not ).
Any advice on what i should be look at size wise ??
Maybe a trip to the tyre shop for a test fit exercise .....
Attached image(s)
I had RE11's on my 951, and yeah the are pretty sticky. Good stuff!
Can't do that either. Have to keep my LE OG. Can Am-ing it.
The new RE11-A tires do come in a 55 series tire,...but this is in Japan...not sure if they are available in your market....here is a link to the Japanese site in Japanese...perhaps you can use that part number (PSR12571) to see if you can special order a set from your dealer.
Here is the link...
http://www.bridgestone.co.jp/sc/potenza/re11a/15inch.html
Yeah, 55 is a bit too low. I have 195-55-15 on my red car. Although I really like them, they're dangerously close to hitting things underneath the car. Sticking with 60 height.
Are both cars set to the same height? I've dropped mine at least 1.25" from stock with 195/60-15 and going lower would be no problem, even with my LE lip. There is 9.75 mm difference in sidewall height with 195/60 vs 195/55. I'd be more concerned about additional engine revs due to the smaller diameter tire than hitting.
FYI.... years ago, we tried 195/45-15s on Betty's car. They were great AX tires, and they pulled well down low.
But they were god awful on the street. Her car would push a beer can laying down on its side, any parking lot with speed bumps was impossible, and trying to run at any speed on the freeway would result in overheating due to the continuous engine revs.
205/50-15s work great on the car.
205 60's Bridgestone Potenzas, 73 street car, very happy with those tires
Ian Stott
Moncton
Canada
Goodyear Eagle Sport, 195/65-15. very happy.
I have become accustomed to the 205-60 R15 tire size on my car. I really did like the 195-55 R15 on my other car with a lower profile, but I think I like the fatter look more now it being a vintage car. The OG 65 height is a bit too high I think when traveling at high speeds.
However, in the front I am getting tire rub inside my wheel well. It's worn off a small spot of paint on the inside. I am not sure what size spacer I should put in there. Maybe 1/4"? Anybody else running 205s with spacers in the front?
Also thinking to put a spacer in the back to fill the wheel well a hair more (nothing extreme) to even them out since there seems to be more room in the rear running the same tire. Should I use the same size spacer or slightly larger? How will that affect the handling? I know on older VW Sciroccos, GTIs, etc. it affects them greatly.
I started this thread a year ago. Some of the tires suggested are no longer available. What do you guys like for good sticky performance tires now? The Goodyear Eagle Sport seems to be common as there's not much available for a 15" wheel anymore.
Even moreso, I have to find good performance tires for a 14" wheel now (185-60 R14). Anybody running a 14" tire on anything?
I ended up buying (and I love them) Yokohama AVID Envigor 205/65 x 15. There is no rear rub, body is close, not too close. I have some inside rub on tight turns up front. I was going to run 1/4" spacers in the front, but I'm going five lug soon, so I'll wait to see how that all fleshes out. I'm using these tires on my 6 x 15 Fuchs.
I am running 12.5 by 33 inch brigstones, 3 inch lift.
Keeping me from getting stuck right now.
With a plow of course.
Yokohama S-Drive P205-50-15 on Mahle 4 lug wheels perfect fit, lowers the height. Also will cause the Speedometer to read 90 when going 60 which will scare the heck out of the person in the passengers seat if you point it out to them while taking a hair pin turn.
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