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> A five-lug wheel and tire odyssey: 205/55 to 195/65 to 185/70, Going old-school, in terms of tires and wheel finishes...
horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:00 AM
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So I've been on a return my car to 1973 kick... and the wheels and tires are the latest step. Next up, NARP reflector removal.

Anyway, I searched and searched and found few threads that offered me a chance to really look at the various choices.

So... here's some pics I took along the way.

First up is the car as it's been since 1992, on 15x6 "Deep Six" Fuchs with polished lips, silver painted centers, and 205/55ZR15 tires (in this case Yoko ES100s, which I hated with a passion).


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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:06 AM
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Closer-up...


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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:13 AM
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And on the set of borrowed, original-finish 15x6 deep sixes that convinced me to go back to stock.

They're wearing 195/65R15 Yoko A-008Ps. Yes, they were old and hard, and man do I wish they were still available...


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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:19 AM
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One more with 195/65s...


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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:23 AM
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And, finally, with my old 15x6 "deep sixes" refinished in factory finishes with one exception, the paint line dropped to accentuate the depth of the lips.

Tires are 185/70R15 Vredestein Sprint Classics. Still deciding if I like their grip characteristics, but I think I do with my meager 80-90 hp. Steering feel is definitely sweeter, and the ride is nice, but not *too* plush, really.


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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:25 AM
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Detail... Oh, and I did get a set of new center caps finished to match these, but hadn't put them on for the pics... sorry!

If there is enough interest, I can reshoot them with the center caps...


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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:28 AM
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Another, slightly different angle of the 185/70


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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:30 AM
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front 3/4


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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:31 AM
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angle shift...


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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:33 AM
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rear-ish


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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:41 AM
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And...last one.

All up, I dig the new look and the fact it is period-correct, but I do miss the "uniqueness" of the old silver wheel with polished lip look. However, I like the fact that the wheels now complement the rest of the 914's bright and black finishes.

I also miss some of the aggressive stance contributed by having 205s filling out the fenders. On the other hand, I dig the fact the taller tires fill out the fender cut-outs both vertically AND horizontally, the latter being an aesthetic "problem" with low-profile rubber on 914s.

I'd be tempted to move to 195/65s or 205/60s to fill out the fenders, but there are none I like in terms of vintage-looking sidewalls and non-alien tread patterns. I think I am leaning towards thin spacers in back and fairly aggressive spacers up front to fill out the fender wells, a problem that's most noticeable in the photo in the post above. And this is with 911 front suspension. The narrower 914 four-lug setup would be even worse!!!

I know there are others who could care less about sidewall and/or tread pattern aesthetics (I used to be among them), but I am starting to view my 914 differently. I don't plan on driving it any slower, but I do like the idea of tires that look like they're from the period and, more importantly, accentuate "feel."

Now, if I get a killer motor, the only way to fly might be a set of Yoko R-compounds in 205/60R15. The good news with those is the sidewalls are simple...

Hope this is an informative thread for someone trying to visualize differing options when it comes to 914s...


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LarryR
post Dec 12 2007, 12:47 AM
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Call me crazy but I like it with the 205's. That is one sweet car! Looking forward to seeing it some day.

Larry
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KaptKaos
post Dec 12 2007, 12:58 AM
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Sweet car and interesting take on the aesthetics. Not my cup of tea, but very cool. Keep up the good work!
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Challe
post Dec 12 2007, 02:24 AM
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Nice car! I'm up to change my wheels and chosing betwen 185, 195 and 205, (today I'm still using 165s (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ) so your pictures and input will be a guidline for me.
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McMark
post Dec 12 2007, 02:33 AM
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QUOTE(horizontally-opposed @ Dec 11 2007, 10:41 PM) *

On the other hand, I dig the fact the taller tires fill out the fender cut-outs both vertically AND horizontally, the latter being an aesthetic "problem" with low-profile rubber on 914s.


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

The new stuff looks GREAT! Nice move Pete!
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roadster fan
post Dec 12 2007, 02:37 AM
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Nice comparison. I like the 195's, but I appreciate your search for the period aesthetic.

Thanks for the great photos they will be very helpful when it is time to make these similiar choices on my ride.

Jim
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atomix8
post Dec 12 2007, 07:36 AM
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Hmmm, I had never considered going with tires that skinny before. However I know it would regain a lot of the steering precision that is being lost through my rather large contact patch right now. That said, hardly anyone makes a summer tire I like in my sizes anymore. 205/60's sound like a like a decently attractive option too..

Dunlop SP8000's on 8x15" Fuch's
225/50's up front
245/50's out back

Really good look, thanks for all the pics!
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Krieger
post Dec 12 2007, 10:04 AM
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Sweet Pete! I do like the silver, but not for my paddles, maybe on all the verticle areas to subdue it.
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horizontally-opposed
post Dec 12 2007, 12:26 PM
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QUOTE(LarryR @ Dec 11 2007, 10:47 PM) *

Call me crazy but I like it with the 205's. That is one sweet car! Looking forward to seeing it some day.

Larry



I won't call you crazy. I miss the width of the 205s from a visual standpoint, and I kinda miss the silver centers, too.

Then I start diggin' the new setup.

So I'd say it's not a hands-down for me. Best solution: get a second set of wheels and tires! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

pete
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Porcharu
post Dec 12 2007, 01:37 PM
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Who did the wheel refinishing? I would love to have my wheels un-polished as I hate the way they look on my car - to much bling for me.
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