Tires Options

[orbit398]

I am getting ready to purchase a set of tires soon for my 914. Purchased it about a year ago and am just about done with the restoration. I have the four bolt Mahle rims and hard as rock old tires.

Looking around, I have found many tire sizes folks are using.

185/70-15
195/50-15
195/55-15
195/60-15
195/65-15
205/55-15
205/60-15


Looking for comments on what folks think it best. Normal driving is what I'll be doing.

[Tom_T]

If you have any concerns about "ghost mileage" on your car from the tires being too big, then go to one of the online tire size calculators & check vs. the OE 165R15 (165/80R15) tires for which the speedo & odo are geared.

For example - IIRC a 195/65R15 is about 8% hi vs. 165/80, while 195/60 is something like 16% - so the latter would add 16% to your annual miles which aren't really there! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Also, if gas mileage is a concern, then any of the wider tires will drop your mpg in DD & trip travel by a noticeable amount - in return for better grip in cornering (racers mostly don't care about mpg).

Another concern with the 195 & wider sizes is that you will probably get some inner wheelwell rubbing on the fronts in lock-to-lock (or near) turning, & may get rear fender rubbing unless you "roll" your fender lips.

Vredstein makes some good sporty & reasonable cost 165/80SR15 (for 1.7/1.8's), 165/80HR15 (for 2.0's) & 185/70VR15 for an upsize.

Bridgestone & some others still make a good running 165/80TR15 which will work as std. OE size tires for either/any of 1.7/1.8/2.0/street-upbuilds.

You can google for others in your preferred size(s) to get ones in your price range.

For me if I were still going to DD mine, then I'd stay with one of the OE 165/80HR15 on my 73 2L, since they're all now made with better "modern rubber compounds" & will grip better than most any of the old school ones, but without the speedo/odo error & still get high-teens to 20's mpg around town & 29-35 mpg highway (real world for me for a decade of DDing my 73 2L - not EPA numbers).

Good Luck & Enjoy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)
Tom
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