Tire OD sizes for 15" Fuchs. What are your thoughts?

[kmoush]

Looking for your thoughts.

I recently purchased my 86 Carrera coupe. The car came with 15" 7 and 8s. The tires that came on the car are 205/50R15 and 215/60R15. Yes, the ODs 23.08 and 25.17 respectively. The previous owner did lower the front end a bit to compensate for the smaller diameter.

Now that the tires are worn I am looking to replace them with Falken Ziex 329, in the same size currently on the car SINCE the car does handle well in this size configuration and on hard cornering I don't get that spongy feeling that most people complain of when they use a 60 or 65 on the front.

I was considering replacing the fronts with 205/65 (60s are not available) but the OD for that tire 25.44" and the original size of 195/65 has OD of 25.04". However I am concerned that using a 65 on the front will result in too soft a response on hard cornering. I am curious which of the two, tires with similar front and rear OD or reduced sidewall, is more critical. Or is it a matter of preference?

A couple of things to keep in mind. I plan to drive the car as a DD and do road trips, so primarily highway and spirited twisties. I am also considering doing some AX and a DE events, maybe 2 or 3 a year, knowing these are not the ideal tires or sizes for these events. Purchase of 16" wheels will happen in a year or so once I have more storage space and sort out all the mechanicals of the car in the meantime. So these new tires are to hold me over til then.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks

[Mick_D]

if this is just a holdover purchase it probably isn 't worth worrying about. experience with the issue is worth more than advice if there is little downside.