Tires??

[dcolletti]

What is a good size tire for a 15x5.5" wheel? I am thinking P195/50R15, P195/55R15, or P195/60R15. What about a 205? How do these look on the 914? Any interference problems? Does anyone have some pictures of their cars with any of these tire sizes?

[wjdunn3]

I am sure there are many opinions on this one, so here is mine. I just put a new set of P185/60HR15 on my 914. I decided on the 185 due to the following: any thing wider tends to get "pinched" onto the 5.5" wide rim. this can have several undesirable effects. 1) If you rims aren't perfect then they may not seal against the tire bead 100%. 2) the car can feel like it is "squirming" on all that pinched together sidewall during hard turning and/or braking. This is not too bad on street driving, but if you do any autox or take your car for a track touring or club event then it can make the car "nervous" at speed.

Some of the "experts" say that 205's fit on the rims and under the fenders. I have heard of some that had rubbing problems, and some that did not. If you go with 205's, use a place that will mount them and let you try them around the block first before committing to them. Also, if you go with 195+ size, consider a wider rim size 6 or 6.5, I think you would be happier in the end.

One more suggestion, use a tire brand/model that has a stiff sidewall, especially if you go with a 60 or 65 series tire. This really complements the 914's handling abilities.

Just my .02. Can't wait to hear all the others.

[Enrique]

For more info and opinions see 4-26-99 posting on this BBS and "914 Tire Size" at http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/914qa.htm

[dcolletti]

I'm not concerned about the speedo being off. I want to car to handle well and look good. The wheels I have are not factory. The are 8 spoke Enpei (sp?).

[Conrad W Peden]

I recommend nothing less than a 60 series 205 on a 5.5" rim. It If you want it to handle well, get a set of 7" rims for 205's and Yokohamas or BFG's provided you have the suspension to back them up. The higher performance tires have a stiff sidewall and don't like to be pinched.
Right now I'm using 205/60-15 Pirreli P4000 SuperTouring and am really happy with the performance and the durability.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Looks are something you have to decide upon for yourself. I personally think the 195/50 looks reasonable, as does the 195/60. Brian disagrees on the 50-series--it's all opinion. You have to make up your own mind.

You can look at my car with 50-series tires on it here:


Not the best picture I know, but at least it gives you some idea.

I wish there were more selection in 195/65 size; those would make for nice street tires.

For handling, a shorter sidewall is better. Less compliance, lower gearing. It is also less comfortable.

Most of the autoXers and time trialers around here (PCA Zone 7) use 205/50-15, due to rule constraints. Many of them run that size on stock 5.5" Fuchs with no problems.

Sorry for the scattered nature of this reply...

--DD

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Yup. I have to go back and check every once in a while to make sure that it actually *did* once move under its own power.....

8^(

(One more week. Maybe two!)

--DD

[Alpine]

In the April 1988 issue of Car & Driver they had a little write up about a 1973 914 2.0. This car had BF Goodrich 185/70 Euro T/As on the stock four bolt Fuchs and the car produced a lateral acceleration of 0.84g around a 300 foot skid pad. The article didn't mention that the suspension had been modified so I'm assuming it was still stock. Does 0.84g seem reasonable? If it is I will be content to put the same size tire on my '73 since the car only has 91hp and I will be driving it mostly on the street.

Alpine