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Posted by: BeemerSteve Jun 23 2016, 07:50 PM

I just got a great deal on Kumho Ecsta AST 195/50×R15 tires that I couldn't pass up. Has anyone else used these on their 914? I know the speedo will be way off and the car now is maybe way too low but will they work okay? Need feedback from anyone else that used or uses the same size.
Thanks!!!!

Posted by: Racer Jun 23 2016, 08:22 PM

Work? yes. Will you like them? maybe. They were fine when I was AX'ing, but the drives to/from were painful. Car was running a couple hundred rpm higher when cruising after swapping from a 195/60.

Posted by: Mark Henry Jun 23 2016, 08:47 PM

To me they just look odd, I like a tire that fills up the wheelwell.

195/65-15 looks proper, on my car I'm going to run 205/60-15 I'm hoping I don't have to roll the fenders.

Posted by: BeemerSteve Jun 24 2016, 07:32 AM

Thanks for the input! I'll run them for awhile see if I like them....if not I can always go back to my 195/60×15

Posted by: pete000 Jun 24 2016, 09:56 AM

Speedometer will be off.

I like the look it really lowers the car, great for autocross because it lowers your gearing for short courses.

I ended up running 60 series to be in the middle.

Posted by: Tom_T Jun 24 2016, 11:29 AM

Odometer too - so you'll add on significant "ghost mileage" to the car with them. Go to one of the online tire size change calculators to see just how much. IIRC it's around 10-12% more at both speedo & odo.

You may also have tire clearance & rubbing issues F & R, & may lose a bit of turning ability lock-to-lock unless you use spacers & pulled/flared/rolled fenders F & R. With stock set-up in front & adding the 50s you'll hit the inner wheel well at full turn locked-up all the way (or before).


Tom
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Posted by: Chris Pincetich Jun 24 2016, 12:17 PM

I had them for 2 years. Low and sporty!
Now my 914 is less cafe racer and more commuter, so I have 195/65s

Posted by: smokey Jun 24 2016, 12:44 PM

195/55/15



365.00 mounted balanced
Thunder

Posted by: Dave_Darling Jun 24 2016, 03:29 PM

Exactly this! Great gearing for most autoX courses, shorter sidewalls meaning more feedback from the road, more grip probably from the car being closer to the ground. Harsher ride (slightly), more RPMs turned on the freeway to keep up with traffic, slightly worse fuel economy.

--DD

Posted by: green914 Jun 24 2016, 04:36 PM

I am running with Toyo Proxes 195X55 - Dave covered the pros and cons.
I'm happy with the how they perform.

Posted by: BeemerSteve Jun 24 2016, 06:52 PM

I kinda figured most all that's been said....I plan to have another set of 60's for traveling. No clearance issues because I have spacers in the front although the transition from driveway to garage pad had a bit of dragging on the left corner underneath. I put a board across that area to help the transition.
It really does feel cafe bike ish.

Posted by: Mueller Jun 24 2016, 06:55 PM

Curious if any of these tire combos are on rims wider than 5.5 (assuming OP is running 5.5 wide rims)

Posted by: steuspeed Jun 24 2016, 08:11 PM

I have 195-55-15s and I would not want to go any smaller. I like my acceleration, but 5th gear is not tall enough now. I don't drive on the hwy much, so it's livable.

Posted by: jcd914 Jun 24 2016, 11:18 PM

I have run 195/60-15s on both 6x15 and 7x15 cookie cutters.
205/50-15s worked on 6x15s and did not clear in rear on 7x15s.

Jim

Posted by: Garland Jun 25 2016, 07:37 AM

I like, 205/65-15 around fills out well.

Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Jun 25 2016, 10:53 AM

205 60 15 here on 4 bolt Fuchs. Speedo reads 3% high.

Posted by: OU812 Jun 25 2016, 11:47 AM

These Michelins on my 74 seem to have a pretty decent ride, handle well, and there dosent appear to be any speedo error.

Posted by: stv951 Jun 26 2016, 02:55 AM

I have issues with 7x15 195s on the rear
They dont rub. They touch the fenders permanently and the car is undrivable
Wheels are cookie cutters.
How did you guys fit these. I cant drive it now

Posted by: Mueller Jun 26 2016, 11:34 AM

See your other post.

Something has to be modified, the wheels changed or the fenders pulled out. I'm running 205s on 7s but have a custom offset which is larger than the 23mm you have.