Ok guys:
I got the OK from the boss to buy new tires for the 914.
I'm looking at the Yoko AVS ES100s from Tire Rack.
I am ready to buy the 195/55/15s because they're $14 cheaper than the 195/60/15s ($58).
I'm about ready to "pull the trigger" and buy them... any comments about the pros and cons between these 2 sizes?
I may have to go back to the boss and ask for more $$ if you guys suggest the 60s instead!!
Thanks for any input,
Andy...

the 55's will just be a bit shorter, effictively making the car accelerate somewhat quicker and giving it a slightly lower top-end. I'm not sure you'll notice the difference. I think the 55s are probably a good choice sizewise.

Ride will be stiffer. I have the 60's and am very happy with them.

For a street car the main disadvantage you will have is higher rpm's on the highway. I have 205/50-15 for autox (I have larger diameter tires for the street), and I drive to and from the events on those tires. 195/55-15 is approaching that same diameter. In my opinion, they are too small for the highway. 4000rpm to keep up with traffic gets old quick. Oil temps on my car are noticably higher with the higher rpm's. I would opt for the 60's. I doubt you will regret it on a street car.

Demick

And to add to what Demick said, 195-60 is already smaller than stock. 205-60-15 is about the same diameter as what the car came with.

I currently have the Yoko ES 100s also, but in the size 205/50-15, previously
I had the Bridgestone RE-730s in the size 205/55-15.

I had ordered the 55 series because I didn't want the ride that would've come with
the low-profile 50-series tire and thought the 60-series tire wouldn't have quite the
performance to it.

The 55's certainly weren't that bad, nor are the current 50's.


914zim: are you looking at 195's, instead of a 205, because you don't think they'll fit?

Scott, are you saying the 205 will fit under stock fender? 205/55/15 or 205/60/15?

Yes, that's what I'm saying, although I don't *think* they'll fit under every 914, as I've read here many times that every car seems to be a bit different.


I currently have the ES 100s, size 205/50-15 on 914 fuchs, and my previous tires were the Bridgetstone RE-730s in the size of 205/55-15.

Yeah, some aftermarket wheels are inconsistent with the offsets. I'm running 195/50/15 michelin sport sx on the super cool westerns and although they fit I wonder if 205 would rub. I'm thinking 55 because of the high RPM's on the 50 but 60's are a bit taller.

If you're running 195s, and you have ~3/4" of clearance on each side of the tire, the 205s should fit. If you have less than ~3/4" clearance somewhere, then you may need to "persuade" your car to fit the 205s.

205s are nominally 20mm wider than 195s. That's just under an inch, and half of it will go on each side of the rim.

--DD

Thanks Dave, I think I'll go with 205. Hey Dave where you at PP when you posted this?

Dave

Last I checked, the difference between 195mm and 205mm was only 10mm - not 20.

205's will only be 10mm wider than the 195's. Half on the inside, half on the outside.

Demick

Thanks fellas.
Yeah, I didn't want to go with the 205s because I was worried they'd rub and I didn't want to have to do any "persuading" as DD put it.
I guess I didn't want to take the chance just for the 10 (or 20) mm extra width. I have 185s on my Mahle wheels right now, so I will be going a little wider with the 195s.
Thanks again for the input.
Andy...

OK, I really am blonde!! "Math is hard..." <_<

--DD