Who is running 195/65 tires???

[4SFED]

I'm looking to replace the tires on my 1973 S. I'm thinking 195/65 R15's of some kind. Who here is running them on a longhood? If so, what make/model do you have?

I have Michelin XwX's on there now (old ones). I'm not going to spend $200+ each for new ones. I don't really even want to spend over $100/each. But, I would like to have a tire without a bunch of crap on the sidewall (designs, letters, flames, carebears, whatever... you know what I mean?). Any ideas?

........ oh and here's a pic.



-Jake

[Arne2]

If you can find fresh XWX's for $200 today, buy 'em. Looks like they are up to $400 each now, plus shipping and mounting.

Michelin XWX

The 195/65-15 is a good alternative size, but choices are dwindling there, too. Tire Rack only shows 4 non-closeout tires left today, 2 Pirellis, one Goodyear and a Kumho. From a sidewall appearance perspective, I prefer the simple look of the P6000 (which is actually N-spec for Porsche). But that one is pushing $200, as well. The Goodyear is priced right, but the sidewall is a bit too flashy looking IMO.

Hard call. How many miles do you drive the car? Do you expect the next set of tires to dry-rot before they are worn out as well? If so, I'd be tempted to pay the bucks for the XWX, just because they look right.

Love the car, BTW. Wish it were mine. I don't think tires would have time to rot if I owned it.

[Dave Kost]

Try TireBuyer - 65 choices.

Here is a link
TireBuyer.com: Get the Right Tires. Free Shipping Available! | TireBuyer.com

[mark waller]

When I had my 1969 912 I ran that size. The Kumho tires performed well.

['71 911E Coupe]

Jake,

What size wheels and tires are your running in that picture? I think the car looks great just like that!

[cmcfaul]

I can fit, BARELY, 205 65 15's all the way around Requires max camber in the back. Somthing to consider as it handles a little better and looks just a bit tougher with more rubber.

Chris
73 911 E

[HarryD]

Nice car!

FWIW I ran 205/60-15 tires on my 911 until I converted my 15's s to track tires. As long as you are not looking for the ultimate performance there are numerous choices in this size.

[cmcfaul]

I assume you do know stock were 70's not 65's

I am in the same boat as the track days for my car are done. Got to replace the slicks on the 15's with normal tires....talk about a low car. With the 15 inch rims and low profile tires, it sits only a couple inches off the ground...makes it handle awesome. Not very street wothy in that configuration. Oh well, end of an era

Currently use 17 inch Fuchs as there are way more tire choices

Chris
73 911 E

[prebordao]

I have Falken ZIEX ZE-912 in 195/65 at the front (no, they dont make a ZE-911...)

I like their ride and they have a discreet lettering.

[AVIMAX]

I also have 195-65-15 Falken ZIEX ZE-912 in the front, 215-60-15 in the back. Decent tire and cheap, less than $100. Not many options for 15" tires.

[RD911T]

Originally Posted by Dave Kost

Try TireBuyer - 65 choices.

Here is a link
TireBuyer.com: Get the Right Tires. Free Shipping Available! | TireBuyer.com

Nice link, I had the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Positions on my 97 BMW 540i and loved them. I replaced them with the Conti DWS and was not as impressed.

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by Dave Kost

Try TireBuyer - 65 choices.

Here is a link
TireBuyer.com: Get the Right Tires. Free Shipping Available! | TireBuyer.com

That is a lot more choices, even if the vast majority of those are basically mini-van fodder. But that's not the fault of the seller.

[kach22i]

Goodyear Eagle GT's "Made in USA" (All-Season) 205/60 R15 might do ya.

They will take forever to wear down, but don't stick like summer only tires do.

Post #10............. my short hood (narrow body):
Tyres & sizes on 8" rears on narrow body - help please

[4SFED]

Originally Posted by Arne2

If you can find fresh XWX's for $200 today, buy 'em. Looks like they are up to $400 each now, plus shipping and mounting.

Michelin XWX

The 195/65-15 is a good alternative size, but choices are dwindling there, too. Tire Rack only shows 4 non-closeout tires left today, 2 Pirellis, one Goodyear and a Kumho. From a sidewall appearance perspective, I prefer the simple look of the P6000 (which is actually N-spec for Porsche). But that one is pushing $200, as well. The Goodyear is priced right, but the sidewall is a bit too flashy looking IMO.

Hard call. How many miles do you drive the car? Do you expect the next set of tires to dry-rot before they are worn out as well? If so, I'd be tempted to pay the bucks for the XWX, just because they look right.

Love the car, BTW. Wish it were mine. I don't think tires would have time to rot if I owned it.

Hi Arne, thanks for posting! I bought the car last October with these tires on it. The car has 35,000 miles on it. I don't plan on putting a ton of miles on it, but I do want to drive the car regularly. I just want a nice tire for a reasonable price that doesn't look like it belongs on a '95 Civic.

[4SFED]

Originally Posted by '71 911E Coupe

Jake,

What size wheels and tires are your running in that picture? I think the car looks great just like that!

Hi Anthony! Thanks for the compliment. The car was lowered by Stoddard in the very early 80's. The wheels are stock Fuch's that are original to the car (15x6) and the tires are the original size 185/70r15 Michelin XWX.

[4SFED]

Originally Posted by RD911T

Nice link, I had the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Positions on my 97 BMW 540i and loved them. I replaced them with the Conti DWS and was not as impressed.

I was looking at the Bridgestones... it's one of the choices on my "short list".

[Deschodt]

Falken something-912 (re912 maybe? car is away right now) for my car, in that size.... Not michelins or Pirellis but actually pretty decent so far, and very cheap and plentiful... Falken itself has been sponsoring a 997 in the ALMS and doing tons of tire development so it's not like they are totally unknown.... Just a data point, I'm sure you'll find a higher performance tire...

Actually that brings out a side thought: even the crummiest modern tire is undoubtedly better than street tires from 1970. Adding more grip with a high end tire might be the trend, but I wonder if it changes the character of the car too much. I've seen my ex-SC develop a crack around the spring plate mounts after I put on R compound... Maybe a crap used Kuhmo would replicate the 70s more accurately ;-)

[4SFED]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Adding more grip with a high end tire might be the trend, but I wonder if it changes the character of the car too much. I've seen my ex-SC develop a crack around the sprint plate mounts after I put on R compound... Maybe a crap used Kuhmo would replicate the 70s more accurately ;-)

Hi Greg. I have seen some conversations on this very topic many times. I happen to agree with you. The car was designed with a certain amount of grip in mind. However, I don't foresee driving this car anywhere near hard enough to find that breaking point. So a nice newer tire should meet my needs with no harm.

I'll check out the Falkens I haven't looked at those yet!

[Deschodt]

Yeah, the thing with modern rubber and grip is that a good tire reduces braking distances (good brakes just resist fade more, but do nothing for distance), a good thing for collision avoidance ;-) Lateral grip would be a problem if push came to shove, I think, but if you are driving our increasingly valuable oldies *that* hard on the streets, it won't end well regardless...
And track cars probably have reinforcements - if my 83 SC cracked, I imagine a long hood would too... I see Elephant racing offers spring plate bracing now.

Anyhow, my point was that even my modest Falken tires are probably miles better than the michelins of 1970. And plentiful ! I keep the $$$ high end performance rubber for my modern car.

[Gene Smith]

195 15 BF Goodrich Comp T/A.