Finally got Fuchs, Any recommendations on 195/65 x 15’s Options

[VWnDRAG]

No more bug offset Rivera’s. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/clap.gif)
Cinderella can finally go to the ball.

Need help with tires. Size wise, I’m probably going with a 195/65 x 15. From researching here, for me, that seems like a good bet. I only street / freeway drive, so the 205’s may be too much. I’m running 10 year old 165/15 Michelins now and am happy. Maybe it’s just what I’ve grown used to. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/unsure.gif)

I stopped by the tire store today and they suggested Goodyear GT HR or Dunlop SPA2. ????? They said the Goodyear would have a wider tread & better grip but Dunlap would be a smoother ride. Or, was it the other way around? They tried talking me out of the Pirellis because of rapid wear. And lastly, I remember someone at a BBQ saying Falkens or Fuzions, (can’t remember) are too stiff for street and their side walls tend to shred.

Help! Open to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance.
Tom

[Carlitos Way]

I went with Pep Boys 205/55 HR 15's. nice ride.. comfortable most of the time but a little soft when you thread a canyon, would prefer to have 50 series tires, as I enjoy the canyons.

[Mueller]

damn...those are pretty....I love that polish-color combo.... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif)

I'd go with a 195/60 or the 205/55, as long as it's a decent brand tire, you'll have plenty of grip and still have a nice ride....

[Bleyseng]

195x60's will be a nice middle of the road size and the tires are up to you on how much $$$$ do you want to spend.

[Aaron Cox]

yoko 205/50 or 205/55 ES 100, they also make them in a 195.

very good tire

[Porsche Rescue]

For a street car I much prefer the 195/65's. Gear ratios, speedo and ride comfort are virtually unchanged from original equipment 165's.

[blabla914]

Tom,

195-65 is not a bad choice for you. It's just a tick shorter at 25" in diameter than your 165-80's which are around 25.25" in diameter. Keep in mind most of the people here are more sport oriented with their driving. If you like cuising on the highway with 165-80's you may be unhappy with the extra noise of spinning the motor faster. At around 70 mph you are probably turning around 3000 rpm. With a 205-50 you will need to turn about 3200-3300 rpm. Doesn't sound like much, but you'll notice it. I will try to e-mail you my wheels and speeds spreadsheet. If you are unfamiliar with Exel I can help you out.

Kelly

[markb]

Whatever size you choose, here's my .02 worth. I really like my Dunlop A2's on the 914, and Falkens on our 911.

YMMV.

[Joe Ricard]

Sweet looking Fuchs
Need a 5th for a spare? pm me for a cheap deal.

Food for thought the tire is the only interface between you and the road. If you never drive it hard then middle of the road quality tires will be fine.
Yoko AVS ES 100 do not like to be pushed hard they get greasy quick. however they are REALLY nice in the wet.
Falken Azenis have great grip are so so in the rain and will last you maybe 10K miles. MAYBE.

[SGB]

Thats a mighty purty wheel. I just bought Kumho Ecsta s pretty cheap. They come highly recommended, and I will say the ultimate grip is higher than the Pirellis they replaced. It is a fairly soft sidewall I think, cause it feels smooth on the road. At the limit I think they get a little squishy- but it is a higher ultimate grip. That said, I once had Dunlops (M4 A2 maybe?) that were great tires. Really linear grip... Can't remember how they rode. I think a 195 is plenty of tire. I have 205s, which usually fit OK with MOST brands, but if you are used to the look of 165s, 205 will look too fat for you. So- if that Dunlop is Z-rated, I would go for it. Otherwise, the Kumhos seem pretty nice- especially for the minimal $. In fact 195/50-15 Kumhos seem to bee really cheap- like less than $60 apiece. I didn't really need these 205s...

[Allan]

I'll confuse you even more.

Kumho 205/55's work really well...

[reverie]

195/65's are a poor tire choice for a 914, because the superior cornering ability of a 914 will be significantly compromised by the excessive sidewall flex of a 195/65 tire. Why have a 914, and buy such a tire? That is illogical, in my opinion.

You'll have just as much riding comfort with 195/60's, yet going through corners will put a big grin on your face. And that's what it's all about.

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

[messix]

look at bfg traction ta. good reviews at tire rack. seem like good price too.

[maf914]

The recommendations are all over the chart so far, so I may as well add another. If you want near stock diameter so your speedometer will be fairly accurate and you RPM's will be low on the road then consider a 195/65 or 205/60 (which is what I have). They may not have the super low-profile look, but they will work well. For tire type you may want to go to the Tire Rack website and do a search for the tire size to get a listing of all of the available tires, then you can start narrowing down your choices based on performance, wear, noise, cost, etc. I will need new tires soon and I think I'll go with Yoko ES100's next.

Tire Rack has most of the big names but not all of the smaller manufacturers.

BTW, I read in an article in Road & Track a few months ago that most tire makers say that when a tire is 4 to 5 years old the rubber has hardened and lost significant grip. When you replace your 10 year old rubber I bet you'll be amazed at the difference, especially if you go withthe extra width from 165 to 195 or 205.

[Bleyseng]

Yep, totally agree as my 5 year old Dunlop SP8000's are done. I hate driving in the rain right now in them. I got about 12k miles on them and they are down to the markers too, but I have AX's on them too.

Got to buy some excellent street tires probably 205x55's this time as the close ratio tranny gears will go witha slightly bigger tire for some street comfort.

[Demick]

I'd have to recommend Falken Ziex ZE-512 as an excellent and inexpensive all around tire. Probably better than the Dunlop A2's in terms of performance, noise, and comfort. Excellent wear, although maybe a little less than the A2's.

They seem to run narrower than other tires, so I'd opt for the 205 width and you'll probably end up with about the same width as most other 195 tires would be. They come in a bazillion sizes and profiles. So with 205 width, you have your pick of 50, 55, 60 or 65 series.

Demick

[Joe Ricard]

You should not drive on 10 yr old tires.
Drive the car like you stole it and they won't last 2 years (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)
Cheap new tires are better than old expensive ones. good call Geoff.
Wit till you buy some R compounds. I keep them in plastic bags in a cool place inbetween events.

[Root_Werks]

Just remember when you go to buy tires it's all about the treadwear rating which is a uniform rating. Don't let anyone tell you it's brand specific, because it isn't.

R compound tires generall fall in the under 100 range.

Anything over 200 might as well be a solid rubber tire hard as a rock.

I think Yoko AVS Sports are like 180

Good AX tires that don't see laps are like 40

Good lap tires would be 80-100

And so on.

My Jeep has tires with a treadwear of 280 to put things in perspective.

[lotus_65]

QUOTE (Headrage @ Jan 17 2006, 10:45 PM)

I'll confuse you even more. Kumho 205/55's work really well...

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


...sorta, i've got 195/55 kumho ecxta's. they're vg-superior in every catagory and every possible driving condition (except snow of course).
i may stay with them forever.

[Porsche Rescue]

To continue being in the minority here (I like 195/65 for a street car), 205 is really too wide for a 5.5" wheel. I know many of us run 205's anyway, but I think the "pinched in" sidewall compromises the tire's performance. Our cars were designed for 155 or 165 tires. The OE tires had a profile of about 80. Adding 30 mm to 195 and reducing profile to 65 is enough for a narrow wheel. You will have good performance, good ride, accurate speedo, and correct gearing, with no clearance issues. And you will have all the cornering capacity you need in a road car. If autocross is your thing, then get some wider wheels to take advantage of a 205/50 tire.