195/65R15 tire thread, discuss, review, and post pictures of tires, wheels and cars Options

[Big Len]

They seem to have good, but limited, reviews. But I don't think it would be enough to convince me to buy a Chinese tire.

[scott_in_nh]

They seem to have good, but limited, reviews. But I don't think it would be enough to convince me to buy a Chinese tire.

They are actually made in Thailand

I learned my lesson on a 2014 Dodge Dart GT I was leasing.

The factory Yokohama tires (that I never liked) weren't going to make it to the end of the lease. So I put on some cheap Chinese tires from Pep Boys that had good reviews. They ended being far superior than the OEM tires.

So I don't blame you for you skepticism, but have reasonable expectations for these tires. In Asia, several American and European companies OEM this brand

[Big Len]

You mentioned Yokohama's being an OEM tire on your Dart that you never liked, yet use that argument as a reason to justify your purchase. And being made in China or Thailand makes little consequence to me. Tires are pretty damn important to a car like ours and without a lot of member opinions, yes, I would be skeptical, especially at a very low price point. But I wish you luck with them and maybe in a few months of driving in different conditions, you can provide us with your review.

[scott_in_nh]

Out of curiosity, where were everyone's current tires made?

My Goodyear GT's were made in Chile....

they have been very good tires, but discontinued with a replacement that looks more all season than performance

[bbrock]

Out of curiosity, where were everyone's current tires made?

My Goodyear GT's were made in Chile....

they have been very good tires, but discontinued with a replacement that looks more all season than performance

Tire Rack listed the country of origin for my Firehawk AS tires as US, but the ones I bought from the local Firestone dealer are stamped "made in Vietnam."

[Amphicar770]

They may be decent but should you need to sell car, off brand tires are sometimes a red flag indicating less than premium maintenance. But hey, the more options the better so thanks for sharing.

[scott_in_nh]

They may be decent but should you need to sell car, off brand tires are sometimes a red flag indicating less than premium maintenance. But hey, the more options the better so thanks for sharing.

I agree and I’m not selling it, but they really aren’t “rebranded” or “off brand” anymore than Yokohama or Nitto were when you first heard of them a couple of decades ago

[GeorgeRud]

The selection is even worse for the standard 14” Fuchs as delivered on the 914-6. The Vredestein Sportrack is the only tire in 195/65-14 that Tire Rack lists. Has anyone used these?

[mark04usa]

I'm running Pirelli P4 Four Seasons+ 195/65 on my DD 914. They are made in Brazil. Perfectly cromulent street tires so far. Only problem is getting a good wheel balance with lug centric setup. I got them at Sears about a year and 3,000 miles ago, likely my last Sears purchase...

[Cal]

I recently installed the 185/70/15 Vredestein Sprint Classics....they're made in Holland.
Period correct size with a nice vintage style/appearance....they're also reasonably priced.

[scott_in_nh]

I had the original Vredestein Sprint, probably in this same size, on my primer and rust 69 Karmann Ghia in the early eighties and loved them

My friend's father like them too and told me they were worth more than the car

This time around I want something with a meatier look, modern tread, and rounded shoulders that wasn't a minivan/econobox/energy saver tire

I never really liked the square shoulder on the Goodyear GT's I have, but would have lived with it for sticky summer tires

Speaking of sticky summer tires, I would have spent >$100/tire if I could find them, but they just doesn't seem to exist any longer in this size, so they had to have a reasonable price as well

One of the links above was for a Vredestein that was V rated that I wish I had found and inquired about (you have to request a quote), but if you have to ask the price....Actually maybe I will just to see what it is

[scott_in_nh]

i requested a quote, but searching around it looks like the Vredestein Sportrac 5 V is NLA (which explains why it wasn't on my radar)

EDIT: got a quick response - $99 each includes shipping and there are only 7 in the US and none in transit

[Biggles]

I use Falken tyres (Japanese) and they are very good (and look unassuming / bit more 'in period', on the wheel ). Not in a 195 tread, but i'm going to go to those on the front for a bit lighter steering, and retain 225's on the rear.
The model number is even ZE914 - it was meant to be !!

[raynekat]

Pirelli P6000 in this size.....but spendy.

[scott_in_nh]

Pirelli P6000 in this size.....but spendy.

way too spendy and not great ratings/reviews

[RolinkHaus]

195/55/15 vs 205/60/15

[dflesburg]

We use 205 60 15 they work well

[Dougal Cawley]

Oo!

why wouldn't you fit the good stuff

There are plenty of excellent options on here https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-ca...914.html#page=1

And if you want to get silly there is also Pirelli P7 https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/pirelli-co...nturato-p7.html

Or Michelin TB15 https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelin-c...tyres/tb15.html

At least with these tyres you will fit a carcass that is designed to be fitted to acar like yours and will therefore handle better.

[scott_in_nh]

Oo!

why wouldn't you fit the good stuff

There are plenty of excellent options on here https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-ca...914.html#page=1

And if you want to get silly there is also Pirelli P7 https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/pirelli-co...nturato-p7.html

Or Michelin TB15 https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelin-c...tyres/tb15.html

At least with these tyres you will fit a carcass that is designed to be fitted to acar like yours and will therefore handle better.

Some of those tires are great for the concours guys, which most of us are not

I disagree that they are the "good stuff" or that they will make my car "handle better" than modern tires - YMMV

The idea for this thread (though obviously I have little control of the direction it takes) is to hone in on the available options in a 195/65R15 as they are a preferred size for many that maximizes the amount of rubber on the road, while also not overly affecting gearing or speedometer accuracy, and with a sufficiently tall sidewall to not look out of place on a 914 - that's it!

There are plenty of other threads that discuss the merits of any tire that will fit under the fender that already include "classic tires"

[Dougal Cawley]

Oo!

why wouldn't you fit the good stuff

There are plenty of excellent options on here https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-ca...914.html#page=1

And if you want to get silly there is also Pirelli P7 https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/pirelli-co...nturato-p7.html

Or Michelin TB15 https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelin-c...tyres/tb15.html

At least with these tyres you will fit a carcass that is designed to be fitted to acar like yours and will therefore handle better.

Some of those tires are great for the concours guys, which most of us are not

I disagree that they are the "good stuff" or that they will make my car "handle better" than modern tires - YMMV

Sorry, but that is where you are wrong. Your car will handle better on a period 165HR15 or at a stretch a period 185/70VR15 than it will on a 195/65R15. That is just a fact.

Yep a wider more modern tyre will give you greater grip in a straight line than a 165R15. but in the corners it won't unless you modify the car to suit. these cars aren't set up for modern low profile square shouldered tyres unless you lower them, add adverse camber and stiffen the springs etc.

but then you aren't making them handle better quite the opposite, but you are arguably giving them greater road holding which is different. but they won't be anywhere near as nice to drive.