Fuchs 6x15 tire size for 914-4

[Sevenfold]

I am replacing my wheels and tires on my 914-4

> From: 4 lug Riviera 5x15 wheels that have 195/65 R15 tires on them (which make the rear fender clearance less than a fingers width - seems tight and have been told these tires are too big, but with no fender rub)

> To: 5 lug Fuchs 6x15 wheels from a 1970 Porsche 911 using PMB conversion kit, which appears to not add any extra space to the hub.

I've heard it's hard to find a Summer/Performance tire (low miles is fine) sized to fit. Would like maximum traction/surface, but also don't need to push the limit. Not racing, just weekend driver here.

My research results
> 185/65 R15 is the max width you should attempt to go.
> down to 170/65 R15

The tire depth ranges from 60, 65, 70, 75, is a mystery to me, except that I'm running 65 now and it clears fine. So I may stick with this.
Can anyone confirm tire size before I blow a wad on 4.
Thanks

[dr914]

205/60x15 is the ideal size for the 6x15 fuchs

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You should be able to run 195s with no rubbing. Many 914s can run 205s, but some will require a little persuasion of one rear fender or the other. Plus the fender lip would probably need to be folded under and flattened.

The height number you are puzzled by is called the "aspect ratio". It is a percentage, and you multiply that percentage times the tire's width to get the sidewall height. (Though all of those numbers are approximate, and can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and sometimes between different models of tire from the same manufacturer!)

We usually try to stay relatively close to the overall diameter of the original tires. So when using wider tires we usually drop down the aspect ratio.

The original tires were 165/80-15. Each sidewall would be roughly 165mm * 0.80 = 132mm tall.
If you run 185s, a 185/70-15 would be about 129.5mm tall, which is super close.
In 195s, either a 195/65-15 (127mm) or a 195/70-15 (136mm) are as close as you can get to the original sidewall height.
In 205s, a 205/65-15 (133.25mm) is as close as you can get to the original size.

That said, you may have to change from that size due to tire availability or because you want taller or shorter sidewalls. The 205/60-15 is a very common size for 914s to run, though it is getting harder and harder to find good tires in that size any more.

--DD

[David 23]

I run Toyo Proxy R888r on my 914-6, in 195/15 on 6" Fuchs (can't recall if they are 50 or 55) Stock fenders, no rubbing. I use the car for hard canyon carving and get fantastic grip. The suspension is modified and lowered, and the car sits even a bit lower due to the tire profile, but the suspension geometry is excellent. I am very happy with the tire/performance, and will certainly use them again without hesitation.

[1blk968]

Originally Posted by David 23

I run Toyo Proxy R888r on my 914-6, in 195/15 on 6" Fuchs (can't recall if they are 50 or 55) Stock fenders, no rubbing. I use the car for hard canyon carving and get fantastic grip. The suspension is modified and lowered, and the car sits even a bit lower due to the tire profile, but the suspension geometry is excellent. I am very happy with the tire/performance, and will certainly use them again without hesitation.

I’ve been contemplating which tires to get for my 15x5.5 Mahle wheels, and would like to go with a shorter sidewall. If you have a chance, would you check to see if you’re running 50 or 55 series tires? Thanks!

[dr914]

the 205/60x15 will fit perfectly on the 914 with a factory fuchs 6x15 wheels. However like Dave said, if you try to put the 205 on, say, a riviera or empi wheel that has a different offset, they will rub

[Don s]

Are you talking about a flat six or a deep six?

[David 23]

Originally Posted by 1blk968

I’ve been contemplating which tires to get for my 15x5.5 Mahle wheels, and would like to go with a shorter sidewall. If you have a chance, would you check to see if you’re running 50 or 55 series tires? Thanks!

I am running 195/55/15 on 6" flat Fuchs. No rub even with the lowered suspension.

[Tony V]

I’ve got a set of 5 195X50X15’s that will fit but would lower the gearing so your Speedo and odometer will read higher. Good side is, you’ll get faster acceleration and better cornering. Tires are Bridgestone RE71’s. I bought them to use for this seasons AX series, but COVID 19 took care of that. One tire is new (with the stickers in tact) the other 4 have about 500 miles on them. $225.00 for all five picked up in San Jose.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

If you look at the link in my sig, you'll see a couple of pics of my car on 195/50-15s. I really liked them for autocrossing, but got tired of them on the street. I'm now on 205/60-15s in large part due to availability of grippy tires.

--DD

[Tobra]

195-55-15 is a bit of an oddball, but is a nice compromise size, used on a lot of Hondas in the 1990's

[brandonvalentin]

Originally Posted by Dave at Pelican Parts

If you look at the link in my sig, you'll see a couple of pics of my car on 195/50-15s. I really liked them for autocrossing, but got tired of them on the street. I'm now on 205/60-15s in large part due to availability of grippy tires.

--DD

Any particular recommendations on grippy tires in this size? Need to pull the trigger on a set for my car.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Hmm. Looks like things have changed since I last looked into tires for my 914. I'm not seeing much in 205/60, but much more in 205/50. Anyway, any of the "Extreme Performance Summer" or "Ultra High Performance Summer" tires will be grippy. I have read good things about the Potenza RE-71R in terms of autoX in the "Street tire" classes, though my information is likely out of date, and most of those tires would be good choices.

--DD

[brandonvalentin]

Thanks, Dave!

[racer]

fwiw, I used to run 205/50-15 on several 914's - both on stock 4bolt 5.5x15 and on 5bolt 6x15s. No fitment issues either case.

imho, you trade sidewall for maximum grip. Lots of sticky 205/50 tires to choose from (thank you Miata) and almost no sticky 60+ series tires at this time.

[brandonvalentin]

Originally Posted by Dave at Pelican Parts

Hmm. Looks like things have changed since I last looked into tires for my 914. I'm not seeing much in 205/60, but much more in 205/50. Anyway, any of the "Extreme Performance Summer" or "Ultra High Performance Summer" tires will be grippy. I have read good things about the Potenza RE-71R in terms of autoX in the "Street tire" classes, though my information is likely out of date, and most of those tires would be good choices.

--DD

Originally Posted by racer

fwiw, I used to run 205/50-15 on several 914's - both on stock 4bolt 5.5x15 and on 5bolt 6x15s. No fitment issues either case.

imho, you trade sidewall for maximum grip. Lots of sticky 205/50 tires to choose from (thank you Miata) and almost no sticky 60+ series tires at this time.

I also found a few in 55 aspect ratio that look alright. I'm considering the Kumho Ecsta PS31s, which are ultra high performance summer but all the reviews say they have great grip but a more forgiving sidewall / ride than most summer tires. Something I appreciate as I don't track the car and don't like eating my fillings on the backroads. I've had some Kumho's on my Beetle for a while and they've been pretty good.

[SKL1]

I have 6X16 Fuchs on both my 914's and run 205/50/16's with no issues.

With 15's 205's or 185/70-15 would work great.

[dr914]

205/55x16 keep the speedo on the money, as do 205/60x16 185/70x15 or 165x15

[Charles Freeborn]

205 6o 15s are getting harder and harder to source.. I've about timed out my goodyear eagles and need to find a suitable replacement.

Not sure if your question about sidewall height was answered (50, 60, etc) In general that means that the sidewall is 50% as tall as the tread is wide on a 50 tire, 60%, with a 60 etc. That's why as the number drops the tire gets "shorter", or less sidewall.


All the tire companies have their own subtleties, so it's not a fixed rule - just a jumping off point.

[6S219]

I installed 15x7 Fuchs on my 1974 914. No problems.