Tire size questions?, Help needed! Options

[boston914]

I am currently running 185/70/15s on Mahle wheels.

I recently bought a set of Fuchs wheels with nearly new 205/60/15 tires.

I am planning to have the Fuchs polished for use on my car, but I am not sure which tires I should use.

Can anyone tell me the difference in width between these two tire sizes?

My current 185/70s have very liitle clearance between the sidewall and the rear fenders.


Thanks for the help!


____________________________
'76 Malaga Red

[boston914]

I just found a great tool on the web that answered my question.

I am posting the link in case someone else needs info.

http://www.csgnetwork.com/tireinfo4calc.html

The link allows you to compare dimensions of different tire sizes.

I still don't know if the 205s will fit.

I guess I will have to put them on the car to know for sure!

[TheCabinetmaker]

205's on the Fuchs should fit.

[riverman]

The numbers on the tires correspond to different measurements. The first refers to the width of the tread in millimeters. The second number is the aspect ratio, or hieght of the sidewall. It is a percentage of the tire width (ie - 205/60; the sidewall is 60% of width), and the last number is the rim diameter in inches.

So your new tires are wider and lower. I'm pretty sure lots of guys run this size tire with Fuchs on their cars without problem.

[MattR]

It depends on the width of the fuch. I know a couple of people running 15x6 fuchs that fit without problem. But 15x7 are supposed to be iffy. They work on some 914s without touching the fender, but others arent so lucky. I have 15x7 phone dials on my 914 an I think Im going to have to massage the fender. Its not a problem for me because its getting new paint soon, but if you have a paint job already, it might be a problem.

[Flat VW]

I run 205/55/15 on "stock" Pedrini wheels in what I believe are unaltered fender wells with no "rubbing". (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/clap.gif)

Try um'.

John

[Dave_Darling]

There is only one type and size of four-bolt Fuchs. If you're running five-bolt wheels, you'll need to figure out the size and possibly the backspacing as well.

Anyway, 205s on stock four-bolt Fuchs fit under most but not all stock 914 rear fenders. Some cars require some "help", while some are fine as-is. Help usually being adminstered with a baseball bat or other pipe-like implement, rolled between the fender and the tire to pull the fender outward. (Lovely way to crack any body filler in the fender, BTW.)

All stock 914s, or all but a few, can fit 195s on stock wheels.

It's always one rear fender or the other that is the problem. Evidently there is more room in the front fenders.

--DD

[MecGen]

Hi
Yaknow just today I was looking with a friend at my two sets of mags, one 205/50/15 and 195/60/15 the other.
I got to say that the width is almost identical, I was tempted to measure it. The 195s is a really good size for my 74, I hope the the new 205 will work, but I will just get to try them in the spring.
WBR
Joe

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ar15.gif)

[914helo]

My 205/60/15's are a close fit, but don't rub. However, like Dave said, this isn't the case for every stock fender. Try them and see. Good luck.

[TravisNeff]

For a street car I would shoot for 195/60's Should be fine on those wheels. I have them on some western wheels and when I lowered it in the back I had to do a little persuasion to stop the rubs

[Porsche Rescue]

Unlike most club members, I prefer a tire size that does not alter the stock gear ratios and speedometer readings while providing the best ride and mileage.
Unless your car is primarily for track or autocross, I suggest you stay with an overall diameter that is close to the factory 165x15 size. The modern size that is closest is 195/65x15. You get 30mm more rubber on the road and only slightly reduce the overall diameter, resulting in speedo error of about 1.6% (speedo will read a bit fast, but probably within the margin of error of the gauge). The diameter of the tire will be about 1/2" smaller than stock. And 195's almost always fit without altering the rear fenders.