Tire choice, 73 914 2.0 Options

[tpines]

Hi guys,
I'm getting ready to get tires for my 73 2.0. It has the factory anti sway bars front and rear, new Bilstein shocks front and rear, and 100 lb. springs. I'm not going to be autocrossing it. Do you like 195/50/15's or 195/60/15's? And I also also don't think I need the stickiest tires out there. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated!

Clark

[JeffBowlsby]

Michelin 165s would be perfect.

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/165sr15-michelin-xzx.html

[bkrantz]

Sumitomo HTR A/S 03 in 195/65-15. Check on Tire Rack.

[930cabman]

Michelin 165s would be perfect.

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/165sr15-michelin-xzx.html

+1, the tire the engineers designed the car with

[vitamin914]

Sumitomo HTR A/S 03 in 195/65-15. Check on Tire Rack.

+1

I had Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R 205/50R-15 on the bored out 2.4L. Nice tire, but I didn't need such a sticky tire either (PO had put them on). Also, it was way too small in diameter for comfortable highway cruising - this was my biggest reason for changing them.

It now rides very nicely on these.
Sumitomo HTR A/S 03 in 195/65-15
$91.42


These are interesting OEM repros from Coker.
Michelin XZX 165SR15
$156.00

IMHO the wider tire looks better on the car. 195s are more than 1 inch wider than the 165s. Gives it a more aggressive look rather than that econocar look (Or unless you are the concours type). Price difference is significant too.

[VaccaRabite]

Unless you are a CW, you really don't want a 165 tire on a 914. Those are tires that were great on Bugs and 2CVs. In fact they are mounted on Bug wheels in the photo in the Coker website. For a car that you want to do sportscar things, get a more modern tire. If you want to be compete at the local concourse, the vintage 165s will get you points.

Zach

[JeffBowlsby]

Don't need to be a CW or have any interest in competing to enjoy the car how it was designed and not every 914 owner has a desire to tear up the roads.

I previously had 185's on the car (from previous owner) and now the Michelin 165s. A noticeable difference in steering effort from the 185s, now the car steers effortlessly.

To each his own.

[Jett]

Michelin 165s would be perfect.

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/165sr15-michelin-xzx.html

+1 good tires, but we use the 18570VR15 XWX

[FlacaProductions]

I always seem to be the odd-man-out in these discussions as i'm running 195/55's which came with the car per the PO - and I like 'em.

I did have the speedo recalibrated to account for the smaller overall diameter (by 2") from stock but I think they split the difference nicely between OEM and lower/wider.

I've resolved that this isn't a highway cruiser (although it's right at 4k doing 75-ish) but more of a backroads carver/cruiser so i'm good with the changes.

[Ottomotion]

I have had all the different sizes being discussed on my 914's. It comes down to personal preference and give and take.
I think the 50 series is too much of a comfort compromise. The 195/50 just looks too small in the wheel well. 205/50 is a little better and will fit but better for a xcross application than a daily.
195/60 is a good choice but again does not fill the wheel well out as nicely as 205/60.
I currently have 205/60s on both of my 914's and like the look, comfort and they way the car handles better than the other sizes I have tried.
It will come down to your personal preference.

BTW, I have a set of hardly used 205/50's I am looking to unload if you want to get into a set at a discount....

[930cabman]

Don't need to be a CW or have any interest in competing to enjoy the car how it was designed and not every 914 owner has a desire to tear up the roads.

I previously had 185's on the car (from previous owner) and now the Michelin 165s. A noticeable difference in steering effort from the 185s, now the car steers effortlessly.

To each his own.

A lighter touch with smaller tires, personal preference. I like the feel with smaller tires. This debate will go on for another week or so (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

Also the added stress to suspension, chassis, ... with larger tires

[Osnabruck914]

I also have a '74 2.0L. Anything above 185 is hard to steer and rubs the fenders in very sharp turns, plus speedo inaccuracy. 185 is a good compromise.

Osnabruck914

[Cairo94507]

I just ordered a set of the Sumitomo tires for my car in the 195x65x15. We shall see how I like them. I am replacing my 195x55x15 Yokohama tires as I wanted a bit taller sidewall for the "right look". Hard to argue with the performance numbers of the Sumitomo and their price- $399.19 delivered.

[930cabman]

I just ordered a set of the Sumitomo tires for my car in the 195x65x15. We shall see how I like them. I am replacing my 195x55x15 Yokohama tires as I wanted a bit taller sidewall for the "right look". Hard to argue with the performance numbers of the Sumitomo and their price- $399.19 delivered.

$399. delivered is the right price. I have 195's on one of our 914's and she's ok, but I prefer 175 or 185.

[Cairo94507]

If I could fit 205's inside the fender wells, I would do that. With the torque of the 3.2 I need a tiny bit more rubber on the ground or it just spins the tires if I am not careful. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Front yard mechanic]

125/80/15 would be perfect

[VaccaRabite]

If I could fit 205's inside the fender wells, I would do that. With the torque of the 3.2 I need a tiny bit more rubber on the ground or it just spins the tires if I am not careful. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

205 55r15 fit fine.
I am using them on my car now. Speedo is off by just under 10%. Gives a nice bulgy sidewall that I think looks awesome on a 70s car.

When you are Autocrossing, you can feel the sidewall flex - so a smaller sidewall is better for that application. But I like that they fill up wheel wells. You can JUST get a pinky between the sidewall and the tire - and I don't have rubbing. But I could see that some 914s could rub on one side in the rear.

For my next set of tires - which are overdue and I need get them by the spring driving season, I'll move to a 195 tire. I'd like to get just a little bit taller to get the speedo closer to accurate.

Zach

[wonkipop]

125/80/15 would be perfect

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)


the old holden FJ back in the 1950s here in aus did have a tyre that thin i think.
not 100% on that but whatever it was it made VWs running 155s look like they had top fuel slicks for rubber by comparison.


love these tyre debates.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

[emerygt350]

125/80/15 would be perfect

Or 225/50/16.

If you are gonna do something... Do it. None of these half measures. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[steuspeed]

I'm running 195/55/15 Dunlop Direzza Star Specs. I will go taller next time. Tire selection is very limited. The hole shot is the only improvement. RPMS are too high for freeway cruising. Car sits so low it's ingress/egress is harder. Speedo is way off.