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Tyre sizes on older cars

Started by gf, 03 May 2017, 01:33 AM

ptashek

Quote from: s class on 15 May 2017, 06:55 AM
I have driven many 116/126/107 cars with standard wheels, and period correct upgrades such as 15" bundts, pentas, Lorinsers etc.  In pretty much all cases, the standard wheel/tyre combination still provides the optimum balance between handling/braking/comfort.  Especially if something like Michelin XWX's are used. 

I'm on the other side, based on my own - admittedly limited - experience driving on 14" vs 15" tyres.
Maybe it's down to the road surface/quality, but I feel the car handles quite a bit better with the 15" wheels, especially at high speed. Yes, there's more of the road transmitted to the steering wheel, but I feel more aware and in control of where the car is going when cornering and braking. It's probably mostly down to the tyre, not the rim though.

My primary motivation to move up one size was tyre availability. I like having a choice.




In terms of the EU market, for 205/70VR14, the only sensible choices are the Vredestein Sprint Classic at ~260EUR/each, or indeed the Michelin XWX at ~460EUR/each.
There are other six or seven choices from lesser brands, some even as cheap as 50EUR/each. I'm not sure I'd use these though.

Move to the 205/65VR15 size, and it's a dramatic change: at last 20 options across the "premium" brands like Michelin, Bridgestone, Dunlop etc. And many more from the lesser brands. One of the more expensive choices, the Michelin CrossClimate (an awesome tyre, too), costs just over half of the Vredestein.

If you consider the economics of buying a set of five 15", let's say original Fuchs ones, that's about 2500EUR. Plus four tyres, that's another 800EUR mounted. Basically, you're saving 500EUR by the second set. And if you don't mind driving on ATS or ARC copies (900EUR for a perfect set of five), you're saving money from the very first set. That kind of math speaks to me :)
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

UTn_boy

Lucas, is there a company in Europe that is making the xwx tires? Here in the US Coker tire company makes them aftermarket, and they're horrible. There's a running joke about Coker tire company that nick names them "Croaker" tire company because their tires are so deplorable and Short lived.
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

ptashek

Quote from: UTn_boy on 01 July 2017, 02:51 AM
Lucas, is there a company in Europe that is making the xwx tires? Here in the US Coker tire company makes them aftermarket, and they're horrible. There's a running joke about Coker tire company that nick names them "Croaker" tire company because their tires are so deplorable and Short lived.

To the best of my knowledge the XWX is still available new from Michelin through a number of suppliers in Europe. Whether it's Michelin still making these, or if it's outsourced, I don't know.

Here's one supplier n the UK, with both the 205 and 215 apparently in stock:

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/205-70vr14-michelin-xwx.html

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/215-70vr14-michelin-xwx.html
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

oversize

Interesting is the weight distribution vs width debate.  In the same way a person can lie on a bed of nails, the wider the tyre the less weight is applied to each square cm...  But does that mean it could weigh almost nothing if the tyre was wide enough??   :o ??? ;)
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P