205-60-15 vs.195-60-15, What's your preference Options

[KELTY360]

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a tire buy and it really comes down to a small difference in size. I'm running 4-lug Mahles with 195-60-15s and I've been pleased with the looks and performance. I use the car as a 3-season dd, although I'm not big on driving in the rain if I have a choice. Wet traction is important though.

I'm leaning toward the Bridgestone Potenza 960AS but I've found that TireRack sells the 205-60-15 for $20 less per tire than the 195s. Is there much functional difference between the two sizes?

Can't wait to get new skins on for some 'real world tire testing'. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[Root_Werks]

Hey Marc,

My 914 came with 195/55/15's and I really don't like them. The rolling raidus is waaaaay off tossing the speedo off a lot.

In my opinion, 205's are too wide for stock rims. Yeah, they'll fit, but you'll loose fuel economy and acceleration. Narrower tires have less rolling resistance. It's all about what you want.

Personally, I want 185/65/15's I had on a Super Beetle not to long ago.

Wanna buy my tires? They are Dunlop somethings, 200 treadwear. Really sticky.

[maf914]

I have 205/60-15 Yokos on my car. Before those I had 185/70-15 Pirelli's. I chose both of those because the diameter was close to the original 165/80-15 that 914's originally had. As you know 196/60-15 has a slightly smaller diameter. My wheels are 6.5 x 15 Revolutions.

I also noticed that the Bridgestone Potenza 960AS in 205/60-15 at Tire Rack were discounted recently. I need new tires as well and with the limited selection of performance tires in these sizes I was considering the 960AS. I have a set of those on our 2002 Acura RSX and we have been happy with them. They probably aren't as aggressive as high performance summer tires. but they seem to be good in the rain and good overall.

[Tom_T]

The biggest issues will be:

1. Speedo & Odometer error (tire size calculator at 914 info on here will give you that)
2. Possible fender & inner wheel well rubbing (esp. in front while turning)
3. ... which can limit the turning ability of the 914s by reducing the turns lock to lock
4. Wider contact patch gives more resistance & slightly slows steering response, although most feel that the added traction overshadows that minor problem.

Even the 195/65R15's which were recommended by Porsche back when the OE sizes of 165's & 155's became unavailable/very limited back in the 80's/90's had the problems at #2 & 3 above.

PAG issued a recco letter on which size to use instead (195/65R15 S, H or V as per spec'd 155/165/185 tires), but that letter also recommended that dealers/owners install stop bumpers (don't recall their term) which limited the extent to which you could turn the wheels to avoid fender/inner-well rub & other steering problems.

IIRC there is a copy of that Porsche alt. tire letter somewhere on Jeff Bowlsby's classic 914 website, if you want to read up on it.

I tried 195/65HR15's on my early-73 2L back in the early `80's to see if it worked & the handling was any better, but didn't like the inner-well rubbing on tight turns/U's - so wnet back to 165SR15 Klebers, since no HR were available by then.

[Tom_T]

PS - Coker & Lucas/Longstone still sells the retro 185/70VR15 Michelins that came with the M-471 option 914's (new tires) - if you want to pop $400+ per tire! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Period correct new/retro high performance tires for your 914! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Otherwise, I'd stick with 195/65HR15 for your 74 2L to keep the odo correct. Tod914 on here had a prior 73 or 75 914 2L low mileage queen, whose odo mileage got unwittingly jacked up with improper sized tires & cost him several $,$$$'s on his resale! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

BTW Marc - I like your L80E 74 2L .... it's one I've used pix of to get over my aversion to white cars to take my 73 2L back to it's original L80E in the resto - as I'd always wanted Marathon Blue! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[KELTY360]

BTW Marc - I like your L80E 74 2L .... it's one I've used pix of to get over my aversion to white cars to take my 73 2L back to it's original L80E in the resto - as I'd always wanted Marathon Blue! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) My car is Marathon Blue.

[r_towle]

Go with the 195's they have a taller sidewall which will give you a slightly less harsh ride.
Speedo is almost right with 185 also.
with 205 its about 7% to fast.

Rich

[IronHillRestorations]

195/60's are my personal fav for stock wheels

[Al Meredith]

I just bought 195/60/15 from Discount Tire . They are Barum Bravuris made in Brazil. Asymmetrical tread for $50.00 and in stock at a store about 1 mile from the house. Read the reviews very interesting.

[sixnotfour]

I have 185/65.s and I feel they are are bit small 195/65's my vote
205/60 too wide unless taht is what you desire.

185/65 first 2 pics
205/60 2nd 2 pics

[Pat Garvey]

If I could get Yoko A008R's in 195 config, I would. Unfortunately, they went with my '73T. Best tire I ever owned (in dry). Stuck so much that they left a trail of dust up my drive! Loved 'em.
Pat

[KELTY360]

I have 185/65.s and I feel they are are bit small 195/65's my vote
205/60 too wide unless taht is what you desire.

185/65 first 2 pics
205/60 2nd 2 pics

That's what I needed to see. IMO the 205s are more meat than I need. I'll stick with 195s, but look at 65s also.

[Root_Werks]

I love that color Jeff. Hope you still have that 914.

I know I'll get different tires for my 914. Mine are crazy sticky, you can hear sand, rocks getting thrown all the time. They are good track tires, not AX tires, but track tires.

195's are a good patch size, I do like that about mine. Just wish they weren't 55 series. My speedo is almost 10mph off at 60mph. That too far off.

195/65's might be good? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[tod914]

I need to replace mine too. 195 65's are what I'm looking for as well. Seems mostly to be touring tires in that size. The Vredestein Sprint Classic comes in the original size. I'm not ruling those out, but would prefer to find a 195 65 Dunlop that performs better.

[Vysoc]

Hello,

I just purchased 4 - 195/65/15 in the Sumutomo HTR 200. These are the first set of tires since the original Yokohama Motorsport AV somethings that read as 1988 tires are still on her. I bought these tires as Guinea Pigs from Tire Rack for $66.00 a tire so no big deal. I thought I would rip through these as my first tires on a car that has been sleeping for 10 years. I think the fit will be fine and I will know where to go once I tear these things up. Watched an interesting report on old tires being sold as new...know how to read the tire codes as there are some bad/old tires out there. My tires were made in the 35th week of 2009. Looking forward to driving my 914 after 3 years of work.

Vysoc (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[Root_Werks]

Age is a good point to bring up. Most tires don't reach the road before they are already a year or more old. I've been told tires should be junked after 7 years. Not sure if that's true or not.

[Spoke]

I will go with 205/50/15 for my next tires.

They look good and even though they are a bit smaller than stock tires, I like the look.

Not worried about rolling resistance or fuel economy...especially the way I drive my 914 (i.e., foot to the floor).

If they affect handling a bit, I don't care. My 914 never handled as good as it did when I had 205/50/15 track tires mounted. It's all about the tires.

Did I mention I liked the way the car looks with 205/50/15? I might need to pull the fenders but after some of the shit that's happened to the car, this is minor.

Plus Tirerack has a good selection.

205/50/15 From TireRack