Tire Size Question

[Tidybuoy]

I have a '74 914 that currently has P205 50R15's

I've seen several publications that state that this size tire does not fit the 914 without rubbing. My tires never rub & it seems that I have room for even a little larger.

My problem is that I really don't care for the low profile look & would like to increase to a 60 series tire.

Just wondering what everyone else is using. I want sport tires but some level of comprimise between 50's & stock.

[Rouser]

I run P205/60R-15 Dunlop SP Sport A2's on 5-bolt Fuchs Windmill rims and they don't rub, plus the speedometer is pretty-close to true ground speed.

I've heard of clearance issues with other brands of tires in this size, but sometimes the type of rims and/or amount of offset plays a big part in the problem.

[Tidybuoy]

Thanks Rouser!

Your car looks good & that's about what I'm looking for. I don't have stock rims (I don't know what they are). I didn't like my rims when I got the car but they are growing on me.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Some 914s rub with 205s, some don't. If you want to be sure, stick with 195s--but it sounds like you already know yours is fine with 205s. 205/60s should be fine if 205/50s work well.

Note that different brands of tire have different actual widths, even when the nominal width is the same. You might have a tough time, for instance, fitting 205s-width Hoosiers as they are known to run wide.

Just be careful when turning the steering wheel full lock, as most 914s do rub aft of the shock tower on the inner fender at full lock with 195s or wider.

--DD

[Ron Meier]

I run 205/65 and they rub, but that could be alignment and bad bushings. I run these as they are the same rolling diameter of the stock tire (25.4").

[red-beard]

I run 205/65 and the Speedometer reads correctly as tested by my GPS unit and the Baja Highway Patrol...

James

[skline]

I run Mahle wheels with 205/60 and I have no problems at all. As for the speedo, As long as I am moving just a little faster than the rest, that is all I care about.

[Ron Meier]

Uh Oh, we'll let Scott lead.

[red-beard]

Ya - you first....

[jkeyzer]

Rouser, you are running exactly the same wheel/tire setup as I am. I can get my fronts to rub on the inside if I try hard enough.

[Rouser]

Oh sure, if I crank the wheel real hard lock-to-lock the front tires will rub the inside fender well. But unless you're in a tight parking situation (i.e "That damn Volvo boxed me in.") that doesn't occur all that often.

[jkeyzer]

Agreed.