New member question, Tires Options

[elbean]

Howdy everyone.
I recently purchased an original 1974 914 2.0. My first Porsche was a 1970 914 back in 1974 and from then to now have had many Pcars. I've forgotten how fun these cars can be.
Are tires in the 180 range(michelin) or 185 (Vred) to large ? The car now sits on 165/80/15 mounted to Fuchs and I want to fill in the wheel wells a little.
Thanks in advance, I'm enjoying this site.
Mark

[elbean]

Thanks for the reply. If 195 and maybe 205's work then I shouldn't have any problems with 180 or 185's.
I'll keep the profile at 80. Yes 4 lug 5-1/2".
The 165's just seem so skinny.
I'll do a search for tires and go from there.
I have trouble for some reason on my lap top pulling up pictures to post, I may have to wait until I get to my office and post from my PC.
Thanks !!!!
[img]IMG_2792.HEIC

[wonkipop]

Thanks for the reply. If 195 and maybe 205's work then I shouldn't have any problems with 180 or 185's.
I'll keep the profile at 80. Yes 4 lug 5-1/2".
The 165's just seem so skinny.
I'll do a search for tires and go from there.
I have trouble for some reason on my lap top pulling up pictures to post, I may have to wait until I get to my office and post from my PC.
Thanks !!!!
[img]IMG_2792.HEIC

sure are skinny.
i'm getting used to them again.

just put 165 XAS on. bit the bullet and paid the price - very exy down here.
in the dry they are pretty good so far. dunno about the wet.

i've got the old steering feel back. very pointy. very light. so far got no complaints about grip. suspect they are a lot gripper due to compound than XAS of the 60s and 70s? what i like is with the correct side wall dimensions it does not ride harshly over bumps and given the car is now on firmer bilstein shocks than the original boges thats important to me.

due to the difficulties of getting correct tyres in the 90s i had been running a set of 195 BF Goodrichs with a lower profile. to be honest i never liked them. banged on the inner arches on full lock. rode harsh. steering lost a lot of its lightness. and probably particular to that brand and make they never felt to me like they were progressive, i always felt i could not trust them. not a good feeling tyre those. i also thought the car was "over tyred" running them. given it is just a 1.8

but each to his own i reckon. a 185 would be a good call with something close to the correct sidewall dimension. i could not get XAS in a 185 but i could have gotten the remake pirelli as a 185, thats if i did not mind eating beans for the next year because they were another jump again.

i understand Dunlop are making a tyre called a Dunlop Classic. in 165 and 185 width and correct side profile dims and with modern tread pattern. a few people have tried them on old datsun 240Zs and the like down here and say they are good. about half the price of the euro remake tyres.

18570R15 would be what you are after if you want original spec at that width.