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Posted by: nebreitling Mar 26 2003, 06:07 PM

Hi everyone

i'm a newbie to this list, and to 914's in general (actually, i drove one for a summer 8 years ago and loved it, but that's another story). just bought a '75 2.0 in pretty good condition. the previous owner barely drove it except when he autocrossed it, so the car has some 3/4 worn kumho victoracers on it. Obviously, no street tire is going to compare with the grip these give, but i'm going to need more tread wear than these offer. does anyone have suggestions for a tire with a good trade off between performance and wear? i'll be using the car to joy ride through the mountains, run jaunts around town, and occasionally for a light commute (hopefully in that order!). thanks so much,

nathan

Posted by: Brad Roberts Mar 26 2003, 06:32 PM

Check with TireRack and see if they have any Yokohama AVS intermediates left over. They had a blow out sale a few months back for 47$ apiece. You wont find a better all around tire for your 914. Buy them in a 205/60/15 or 195/60/15 depending on what wheels you have.

If TireRack doesnt have them... I know where 50 sets are stashed here in NorCal.

B

Posted by: tod914 Mar 26 2003, 09:43 PM

I recently put yoko avs es 100 - 195 60 15 on mine - real happy with the tire. little more than 47 a piece though. Brads recommendation sounds good.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Mar 26 2003, 09:45 PM

Do you have a pic of your tires (a ad for them or something) ?? I would like to see the "100" design.

B

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Mar 26 2003, 10:47 PM

Another new guy here. What wheels will go with the 205 15s and what wheels are recommended for the 195 15s. What is the difference??
Cheers, Elliot

Posted by: Brad Roberts Mar 26 2003, 10:53 PM

Welcome Elliot !!

The wheel I like to use with the 205 (or the 195) is the Factory Fuchs alloy. The tire installer will HATE you if you purchase a 205/50/15 and have them installed on the Fuchs. Its a stretch to make them work on the 5.5 inch wide wheel.

B

Posted by: seanery Mar 26 2003, 10:55 PM

I ran 205/55's BFG R1's on fuchs and they were great! I was bummed when I heard I couldn't get em anymore.
Effin' BFG!

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Mar 26 2003, 11:12 PM

Thanks Brad. I have a set of black 8 spoke wheels I think are made by Empi. If they are 5.5 inch which I think they are, will 205 60 or 50 15s fit in the stock fender? Or do I just gotta try them and see if they fit.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Mar 26 2003, 11:15 PM

Elliot,

I have had NO luck running anything larger than a 195 on the Empi's. Those wheels where designed for the VW bug offset. I think they look good on the 914, they just dont allow for a nice fat tire under the stock wheel wells.

Like this:

B

Posted by: tod914 Mar 27 2003, 09:21 AM

Brad,

I dont have a picture of them. I purchased them based upon the reviews/comparisons from tire rack.
I'll see if I can borrow a digi camera and snap a few shots. Looking foward to the first autocross event out here so I can see how well they grip.

Posted by: Part Pricer Mar 27 2003, 09:30 AM

Here is the ES 100:


Tirerack has them for $70 each in 195/60/15

Posted by: Zeke Mar 27 2003, 10:23 AM

Not to change the subject, but what is the good track tire now? Everything is changing, some tires are NLA, especailly in 15's.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Mar 27 2003, 03:32 PM

Hoosier AS03 or RS03.

Kumho is close, but not there.

Michelin Pilot Sport Cups have a good rep (just about as fast as Hoosiers), but I don't think are available in 15s. (Could be wrong on that.)

People are starting to report better results with the Toyo Proxes soft-compound tire.

--DD

Posted by: campbellcj Mar 28 2003, 12:14 AM

Hoosier is supposedly about to unleash a new "*3S04" series, with better performance and longevity. I am tempted to wait for those if it won't be too long. The existing Hoosiers are the "benchmark" for DOT legal race rubber, but they still have issues -- fragility (punctures and flatspotting), cost, and short lifetime. I have heard great things about the Michelins but never used them personally, and they are spendy at $200/ea. Not that Hoosiers are cheap, at $170/ea in narrowbody 914 sizes.

If you lean towards the Kumhos, I would probably suggest the "old" Victoracer V700 over the "new" Ecsta V700. I have used both, and so far I'm not impressed by the new version. Although, that opinion may have differed if I had gotten the Ecsta's shaved prior to use. Then again, I didn't get the Victo's shaved either....

Posted by: Bruce Allert Mar 28 2003, 12:24 AM

After I just put Nitto NT 205/50/15's on I found out Fulda came out with a new sticky tire for $65 apiece. Their ad says not good in rain. Prolly a good tire for those of you down South but not here in Orygun
bruce

Posted by: Targa Mar 28 2003, 03:03 PM

I just got a set of the yokohama AVS ES 100 205/60/15 and had them mounted on a beautiful set of Fuchs. I paid $83 a piece @ discounttiredirect.com and had them shipped for free. They have a 280 Treadwear # and are rated ^ 130 MPH. But I am still waiting for Koni Sports & a few other things to get the car out of the shop so I can get my first impression. First I will do a little speed test on Hwy 280 to see what the increase in top speed is from a 185/65/15. Then I will shoot right on over to Skyline Blvd off of Hwy 92 to see how fast the 914 will take the turns with signs posting the limit @ 35 MPH