195/65r-14 tires

[JHZR2]

Another one of my obsolete tires...

Tire rack has two options, neither of which I'll buy.

Going to the integra size of 195/60-14, I can get us-made pilot exalt tires amongst others.

Good to go in that size??? Otherwise what should I do? Go up in size?

 

[PandaBear]

What clearance do you have between tires and the fender/strut/etc? If quite a bit I'd go a bit wider or taller. Also what car would help.

 

[JHZR2]

whoops... 91 BMW 318i. Fender space seems OK, not sure about the others...

 

[Colt45ws]

There us a fairly decent load difference between these two tires. If it want 30psi or less on the 195/65R14s then they will be fine.

 

[CapriRacer]

I'd suggest you go up to 195/70R14. There ought to be plenty of choices!

 

[sittingduck57]

I don't think they're that obsolete,don't the Versa and Accent use that size. I know Bridgestone has a tire that size, but it's a little pricey. I think Kumho Solus is a preety nice tire for the price in that size.

 

[bullwinkle]

I've actually used a few different 195/70R14 tires on the '82 300D-the super-cheap Kumho Power Star 758s actually lasted almost 40 K on it, and it has a set of Goodyear Integritys on it now (that I picked up used on CL)-the 14" tires are getting rare new, though.

 

[Astro14]

Shop outside Tire Rack - there are a few other options...a quick Google search shows a few other brands (not a lot, but a few...) like Falken, Cooper, Hankook, Vredestein, maybe not the brand you wanted...but there are some choices...

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: CapriRacer
I'd suggest you go up to 195/70R14. There ought to be plenty of choices!


I'm upgrading the wheels on my MB that uses 195/70r14 because of the lack of selection!

For my BMW, which uses this 65 tire, I'm not sure I want to add more sidewall, as it will negatively effect handling.

 

[JHZR2]

Btw, H rated is a must... Limits it more!

 

[Colt45ws]

Not a lot of choices then.
205/60R14 meets your requirements for load and speed, however there are only two choices in that size; one of them is a UHP summer and the other is a racing slick.
215/60R14 is closer to your diameter; however only one tire and its not...a good choice.
225/50R14; Slicks
Thats about it.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Discounttiredirect.com has 3 Falken's, 2 Hankook's and a General in size 195/65-14. Treaddepot.com has a General and a Kumho.

 

[PandaBear]

What about "upgrading" to 15" or 16"? Many more choices but you have to buy some rims.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
What about "upgrading" to 15" or 16"? Many more choices but you have to buy some rims.


Unfortunately not worth it for this car, because of the rust that is starting to form on it... Plus there werent OE BMW rims in 16" and the 15" are too $$$. Aftermarket rims look like garbage to me.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Discounttiredirect.com has 3 Falken's, 2 Hankook's and a General in size 195/65-14. Treaddepot.com has a General and a Kumho.


The General is made in Mexico, so I am boycotting that one. The others are Chinese made, so I am boycotting them too. The falken may not be, and I have falkens on my car now... they wear like iron, I have over 50% of the tread after 55k miles on them... but I dont like how they do in the rain, very hydroplane prone on this car.

The pilot exaltos, available in the 195/60-14 size are US made.

 

[Astro14]

So, since she's rusting, the need for originality and speedo accuracy is somewhat diminished...so...let's look at sizes:

195/65R14 width: 7.9" on a 6" rim, 24" diameter - 2 brands that you don't like

195/70R14 width: 7.9 on a 6" rim, 24.7 diameter...or, a 3% difference...no fit issues, no new wheels...

Now, you really want an "H"? that's hard to find...how about:
195/60R14 width: 7.9 on a 6" rim, 23.2 diameter, that's another 3%, this time smaller, again no fit issues and BFG has the H rated, all season, made in USA g-Force Super Sport...

What say you?

 

[HTSS_TR]

The other 195/60-14 made in USA (possible according to Tirerack) is Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 at $63 v.s. $97 for Pilot Exalto A/S. The tread design of Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 is almost identical to Pilot Exalto A/S. Tirerack latest test High Performance All-Season placed Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 at first place tied with Yokohama AVID Envigor.

I would call Tirerack to inquire about where this tire made, to be sure you will get made in USA tires.

 

[JHZR2]

What day I???

I'm thinking of going to 195/60... I dong drive loads up, so why not?

 

[JHZR2]

Just got back from falken that the ZE512 or ZE912, 195/65r14 and 195/65r15 are made in Thailand.

My ZE512 tires have been great and wear like iron. Mine were made by ohtsu in Japan, guess not anymore. Ugh.

So what's the concensus on running 60 with 86 load vs 65 with 89 load? I always inflate higher than the placard and drive myself only in that car.

 

[Stu_Rock]

Can I ask why the H rating is so important? I like to shop for H or better tires because of the nylon cap ply. But for two of my vehicles, that speed rating is just not an option. Some T-rated tires also have the cap ply. I just bought a set of Cooper CS4 for my Peugeot (175R14 --> 195/70R14) and they have the cap ply.

For a 318, I might be a little cautious about the 86 load index. Just looking around a little bit, other 2600 lb cars seem to have tires in the 88-89 range.

I can also understand the desire not to go up to a larger diameter--I imagine this car needs every bit of mechanical advantage to get moving.

If it were mine, I might be inclined to go with 185/70R14 (gasp--narrower!). They would be 0.2 in taller and have an 88 load index. It's not ideal, but it's as close as exists in US-made tires. I have had several tires in this size and they have all handled well. The cost is also very low for some very good tires, like the CS4.