Yet another tire question, 195-55-15 Options

[Robnxious]

Yes, I know they will fit on a narrow body, that's not my question. My question is, if you have gone to the lower profile tire, how did you like it? How much does this lower the car as well, since I already scrap coming out the driveway, and just now went and bought one of those Bridjit curb ramps. I plan on also adding Mark's fiberglass airdam on it too. So basically my questions are

1) I know you get better handling due to less tire sway, but how is the ride compared to a higher profile tire? I have never driven on low profiles, and think they would look and perform nicely, but haven't heard (or remember reading) about people who have the lower profile tires. I think the 195s are the biggest I can fit in there from what I have seen, and I sort of like the narrow body look.

2) Will they make the car so low that clearance is a major issue? Does no good to lower the go kart down further if I can't get over one of Sacramento's MANY speed bumps

Thanks

[Dave_Darling]

I used to run 195/50-15s. I liked them at the time. Eventually, I liked them less.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/forums.pelicanparts.com-121-1505109211.1.jpg)


I had originally used 195/60-15 in the same make and model, and found several differences when I went to 50-series tires:
- Lower gearing for better acceleration out of corners
- Stiffer sidewalls resulting in (slightly) more grip
- Better feedback from the tires

- Harder ride due to shorter sidewalls
- Freeway speeds required ~500 RPM more
- On a few autoX courses I had to shift up to 3rd and back, costing me some time

When I went to 50-series tires, I was finally able to feel the car well enough to catch a slide before it evolved into a spin. I had never done that on the 60-series tires.

Eventually, having to run higher RPMs on the freeway did get to me. The type of tires I wanted to run were also becoming harder to find in 195/50, so I wound up going with 205/60-15s.

--DD

[Guberif]

I used to run 195/50-15s. I liked them at the time. Eventually, I liked them less.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/forums.pelicanparts.com-121-1505109211.1.jpg)


I had originally used 195/60-15 in the same make and model, and found several differences when I went to 50-series tires:
- Lower gearing for better acceleration out of corners
- Stiffer sidewalls resulting in (slightly) more grip
- Better feedback from the tires

- Harder ride due to shorter sidewalls
- Freeway speeds required ~500 RPM more
- On a few autoX courses I had to shift up to 3rd and back, costing me some time

When I went to 50-series tires, I was finally able to feel the car well enough to catch a slide before it evolved into a spin. I had never done that on the 60-series tires.

Eventually, having to run higher RPMs on the freeway did get to me. The type of tires I wanted to run were also becoming harder to find in 195/50, so I wound up going with 205/60-15s.

--DD

Hey Darling Dave, I totally agree with you I love the 195/50ZR/15 (made by Yokohama - nla for the A-008 type)which I need to replace, can't even find any ZR rated tires anymore.

I've talked to you a couple of times on the phone years & years ago and you've always had Rock Solid advice.

So, here's my question.

I deffinately want to stay with the low pro's no debating that one - your dead right world of difference! But I would like to have more accurate speedo & I wouldnt mind having lower rpm's.

Where the 'Rub' is (forgive the pun) that my tires I have on my chrome rims are 185/65/15. the drivers rear clearance is super tight, can't even get my pinkie in between tire and well. do you know if these chrome rims are totally offset? or are they the same as the Fuch's? (I'll upload pic of the chrome ones)

I will be putting the new tires on my 2.0 L. OEM Fuch's .....so, If I were to go a little bigger with still a 50% would that work? Could you suggest any sizes to check out?

Sorry to ask this, there is no tire shop nearby so I will be having to order over the internet, so I cant just go down to a shop or anything of the sort, that and like I said - great advice before - thanks.

Bonnie

[Dave_Darling]

.... I would like to have more accurate speedo & I wouldnt mind having lower rpm's.

Where the 'Rub' is (forgive the pun) that my tires I have on my chrome rims are 185/65/15. the drivers rear clearance is super tight, can't even get my pinkie in between tire and well. do you know if these chrome rims are totally offset? or are they the same as the Fuch's? (I'll upload pic of the chrome ones)

It is likely that your chrome wheels are not the same offset as the stock 914 wheels. Bug wheels, for instance, usually place the tires further out in the fenders.

It would be exceedingly unusual if you couldn't fit 195s on Fuchs under stock fenders. There's a pretty decent chance you could fit 205s--and you can be pretty certain if you're willing to flatten or trim the fender lip.

A set of 205/65-15 should be close to the original diameter. Also 205/60-15. Both are good choices for a 914.

--DD