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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Need some help with tire purchase
Posted by: mepstein Feb 18 2016, 10:27 PM
Tell me where and what tires to buy. I want 205x60x15. What are the best high performance tires I can buy in that size and who has them in stock for sale? Thanks.
Posted by: horizontally-opposed Feb 18 2016, 10:43 PM
The pickins are slim. 
I've been looking for a good choice in 205/60R15 for a long time. Check my 215/60R15 thread for my 8-year odyssey to find high-performance 15-inch tires.
In your favored size, I think you are limited to:
1. BF Goodrich Radial T/A
Doesn't look too high performance to me, but maybe it has advanced under the skin?
2. Hoosier Speedster
Great performance once hot, I am told—but the Hoosier people are very against seeing the tire on a street car.
3. Yokohama A048
I hear good things, but treadwear is rated at 60 and they're $216/ea. Then again, they may be a better pick than the Hoosiers.
4. An uninspiring selection of Camry-oriented all-season and touring tires.
I just couldn't go there, even if they're better than period 914 tires. Find some of 'em here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=205%2F&ratio=60&diameter=15&rearWidth=255%2F&rearRatio=40&rearDiameter=17&zip-code=
I eventually toyed with 195/65R15 and 215/60R15 Pirelli P6000s, as they were the only summer tires I could find in a size near 205/60. But the 215s wouldn't fit in the rear of my narrow body without fender mods, and by the time I was going to 195s, I decided to try 185/70 Avon vintage race/rally tires. Maybe someone else has a hot ticket I missed, or is new to market?
Posted by: steuspeed Feb 18 2016, 11:56 PM
Yokohama A048
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=ADVAN+A048&partnum=06HR5048M&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
Posted by: PancakePorsche Feb 19 2016, 12:26 AM
I used the Yokohama A048's on 7 inch cookie cutters on my track car. No complaints. Price is high but pretty standard for any good D.O.T.
Posted by: somd914 Feb 19 2016, 04:54 AM
Tire Rack is worthy of purchasing from.
Might you want to consider 205/55x15 which opens it up a little more in respect to performance, or better yet 205/50x15 which is what I'm getting ready to install - Dunlpp Direzza Star Specs.
But when you say high performance, are you thinking track or performance in respect to street? And are you running 6" or 7" wheels? I'd want 7" for 205s and performance.
Posted by: Cal Feb 19 2016, 06:14 AM
Michelin MXV4 205/65/15.....decent tires at a fair price.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tires/michelin/size/viewProductDetail.do?ra=%2Ftires%2Fmichelin%2Fsize%2FviewProductResults&fl=&pc=34824&ar=65&rd=15&y=13&cs=205&x=30
Attached image(s)
Posted by: mepstein Feb 19 2016, 07:14 AM
Street on 6' cookies. No on the 65's or 50's. 55's only if I can't find anything in a 60 series. (There ain't much)
Luckily 914's already handle so well that they don't rely on the tire to do all the work like some modern cars. The great handling is built in and I feel I can get by with a decent tire if I can't find a great tire. At least the tires in this size are cheap.
Posted by: rgalla9146 Feb 19 2016, 07:30 AM
Hey Mark
Why not 205 / 55 ?
As already mentioned, there are "performance" choices and reasonable price too.
Also they look tall enough.
Posted by: mepstein Feb 19 2016, 07:32 AM
Hey Mark
Why not 205 / 55 ?
As already mentioned, there are "performance" choices and reasonable price too.
Also they look tall enough.
Ok. But choices still look slim
Posted by: mepstein Feb 19 2016, 07:40 AM
Hey, all you California guys, don't even think about suggesting 50's. I live on the east coast. We have these things in the road called potholes. I'm sure you've never seen one 
but they are rim killers. 60's can sometimes give you a fighting chance.
Posted by: mepstein Feb 19 2016, 07:55 AM
Michelin MXV4 205/65/15.....decent tires at a fair price.
Too tall. No need to ford any rivers
Posted by: somd914 Feb 19 2016, 08:06 AM
Hey, all you California guys, don't even think about suggesting 50's. I live on the east coast. We have these things in the road called potholes. I'm sure you've never seen one
but they are rim killers. 60's can sometimes give you a fighting chance.I run 40s on my Suby DD as does my wife on her Bimmer DD, 40s and 50s on the other toys with no issues in MD. Don't think you'll see much difference between 50s and 60s in that respect. Also keep in mind that a 205 on a 6" wheel gives a lot of sidewall bulge decreasing handling. Just food for thought...
As for potholes, just think of them as an opportunity to test your handling and dodge them
Posted by: mepstein Feb 19 2016, 08:26 AM
Hey, all you California guys, don't even think about suggesting 50's. I live on the east coast. We have these things in the road called potholes. I'm sure you've never seen one
but they are rim killers. 60's can sometimes give you a fighting chance.I run 40s on my Suby DD as does my wife on her Bimmer DD, 40s and 50s on the other toys with no issues in MD. Don't think you'll see much difference between 50s and 60s in that respect. Also keep in mind that a 205 on a 6" wheel gives a lot of sidewall bulge decreasing handling. Just food for thought...
As for potholes, just think of them as an opportunity to test your handling and dodge them
Bosses wife just killed a pair of 40's on her dd bmw on her commute into philly during the last rain storm. The puddles hide the potholes. I'm not driving in the rain but my rural area doesn't get potholes fixed until summer. And I'm just being stubborn as usual.
Sidewall bulge is gud on these old cars.
Posted by: 76-914 Feb 19 2016, 09:18 AM
I remember hearing my Dad and Grandpa saying, "The roads always get better during Election Years". 
Posted by: scott_in_nh Feb 19 2016, 01:56 PM
I will probably stay with a 195 60 15, but has anybody tried the Falken Ziex ZE950 or Falken Ziex ZE329?
Not a sticky AX tire, but at least look more aggressive then the typical DD all-season tires and the price is right
https://www.pepboys.com/tires/details/Falken/Ziex%2520ZE329/434319/01668
https://www.pepboys.com/tires/details/Falken/ZIEX%2520ZE950/1005990/01668
Posted by: somd914 Feb 19 2016, 02:17 PM
I will probably stay with a 195 60 15, but has anybody tried the Falken Ziex ZE950 or Falken Ziex ZE329?
Not a sticky AX tire, but at least look more aggressive then the typical DD all-season tires and the price is right
https://www.pepboys.com/tires/details/Falken/Ziex%2520ZE329/434319/01668
https://www.pepboys.com/tires/details/Falken/ZIEX%2520ZE950/1005990/01668
Had a set of ZE950 - very disappointed with them in respect to grip and noise.
Posted by: scott_in_nh Feb 19 2016, 02:39 PM
I will probably stay with a 195 60 15, but has anybody tried the Falken Ziex ZE950 or Falken Ziex ZE329?
Not a sticky AX tire, but at least look more aggressive then the typical DD all-season tires and the price is right
https://www.pepboys.com/tires/details/Falken/Ziex%2520ZE329/434319/01668
https://www.pepboys.com/tires/details/Falken/ZIEX%2520ZE950/1005990/01668
Had a set of ZE950 - very disappointed with them in respect to grip and noise.
Thanks, anybody with the 329's - they look more aggressive.....
Posted by: Ian Stott Feb 19 2016, 02:51 PM
I run on 205/60 15's, Bridgestone Potenza, no track, spirited driving sometimes, and I like them.
Ian Stott
Moncton
Canada
Posted by: Geezer914 Feb 19 2016, 02:58 PM
I just replaced my BGGoodrich Sport Comp-2 205/60/15's with a new set of the same tires, size 195/55/15. The 205/60/15's rubbed the front inner fender wells when turned lock to lock. Sams Club has a promotion on BFG tires, $50 off when you buy a set of 4. Ends 2/21/2016. 
Posted by: Larmo63 Feb 19 2016, 03:07 PM
I had 205/65 x 15 Yokohama AVID Envigors on the car I sold.
I'm running the same tires in 60 series now. I like them.
Posted by: turk22 Feb 19 2016, 08:39 PM
I got the Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 205 60R15
I like em, no rubbing, and good ride
Posted by: barefoot Feb 20 2016, 04:23 PM
Tire Rack is worthy of purchasing from.
Might you want to consider 205/55x15 which opens it up a little more in respect to performance, or better yet 205/50x15 which is what I'm getting ready to install - Dunlpp Direzza Star Specs.
But when you say high performance, are you thinking track or performance in respect to street? And are you running 6" or 7" wheels? I'd want 7" for 205s and performance.
Tire rack great for doing research, but charge for shipping. Do your selection there and go to another site that does not charge shipping, it's a bit hit !
Posted by: mepstein Feb 20 2016, 04:33 PM
Tire Rack is worthy of purchasing from.
Might you want to consider 205/55x15 which opens it up a little more in respect to performance, or better yet 205/50x15 which is what I'm getting ready to install - Dunlpp Direzza Star Specs.
But when you say high performance, are you thinking track or performance in respect to street? And are you running 6" or 7" wheels? I'd want 7" for 205s and performance.
Tire rack great for doing research, but charge for shipping. Do your selection there and go to another site that does not charge shipping, it's a bit hit !
I agree. Probably buy from my local Costco if I can get the tire I want.
Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Feb 20 2016, 04:34 PM
I'm partial to the kumho exsta mx in 205/60. As for tire rack, figure tire cost, shipping, then mounting and balance. I always find a local dealer that does it all and saves me at least fifty bucks. Decided on the tire you want, then do some old fashioned phone work. You'd be surprised!
Posted by: mepstein Feb 20 2016, 04:46 PM
I'm partial to the kumho exsta mx in 205/60. As for tire rack, figure tire cost, shipping, then mounting and balance. I always find a local dealer that does it all and saves me at least fifty bucks. Decided on the tire you want, then do some old fashioned phone work. You'd be surprised!
We have a tire machine at my shop. If I pick up from the Costco that's 5 miles from me, there's no shipping charge. Tires are for street and are going on 6" cookies.
To throw a little controversy in the mix, I use 3 ounces of air soft plastic pellets in the tire to balance the wheel. No wheel weights.
Posted by: horizontally-opposed Feb 20 2016, 08:49 PM
To throw a little controversy in the mix, I use 3 ounces of air soft plastic pellets in the tire to balance the wheel. No wheel weights.
Okay, I'll bite.
Been curious about this method since hearing about it.
Tire noise an issue? Discernible? Is there a minimum speed needed before it works, and/or a maximum speed at which point it doesn't? Have you done it with modern cars/wheels/tires? Does that affect how many ounces you use?
Pretty interesting, to be sure!
Posted by: mepstein Feb 20 2016, 09:42 PM
To throw a little controversy in the mix, I use 3 ounces of air soft plastic pellets in the tire to balance the wheel. No wheel weights.
Okay, I'll bite.
Been curious about this method since hearing about it.
Tire noise an issue? Discernible? Is there a minimum speed needed before it works, and/or a maximum speed at which point it doesn't? Have you done it with modern cars/wheels/tires? Does that affect how many ounces you use?
Pretty interesting, to be sure!
I did it on my other 914. Works perfectly at any speed. No noise.
Edit - my other car only made it to 95mph. It's a 1.7. This car will have a 3.2 so...
Posted by: bandjoey Feb 20 2016, 09:46 PM
OT. Several tire pellet threads here. It does not work good with low profile tires. Google it and you'll find charts online as to what they work in. I tried it in 195/65/15s and it didn't work for me.
Back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Posted by: Coondog Feb 20 2016, 10:13 PM
205-55-15 
Posted by: Steve Pratel Feb 20 2016, 10:52 PM
I usually buy from simpletire.com or discounttiredirect. Simple tire has a wide variety, many brands I never heard of.
As for what tire, pick the size and style you want, and do a size search.
I geeked out when I bought my tires, went with Falken ZIEX 912's couldn't resist putting 912 tires on a 912..... If I had a choice, I would put Michelin Pilot Sports on all my performance cars...
I have no idea what size you want, I assume 195/60 15's would be a good start check this out. http://simpletire.com/catalog?select=1&zip=98327&query=catalog&c=t&brand=9,16,15,26,31,46,61,107&width=195&ratio=60&rim=15&category=2,11,10,1
Posted by: raynekat Feb 20 2016, 11:49 PM
Just bought a set of Yokohama S Drive 205x15x55.
Seems like a compromise between low and high profile.
Posted by: thelogo Feb 21 2016, 12:29 AM
The pickins are slim.
I've been looking for a good choice in 205/60R15 for a long time. Check my 215/60R15 thread for my 8-year odyssey to find high-performance 15-inch tires.
In your favored size, I think you are limited to:
1. BF Goodrich Radial T/A
Doesn't look too high performance to me, but maybe it has advanced under the skin?
2. Hoosier Speedster
Great performance once hot, I am told—but the
Maybe someone else has a hot ticket I missed, or is new to market?
Hot ticket is neto or neato Japanese touring tires on the front
And Continental touring tires on the rear .
But neeto tires supposedly no longer exists
So just go all for continental,
Ride a mt.bike with continental tires and youll see what i mean
Posted by: thelogo Feb 21 2016, 12:32 AM
Tires.
they are the only thing holding you on the road .
Accurate psi makes any tire a great tire 
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