Will need new tyres soon

[gf]

Can anyone  personally recommend good 205/70 r14 or 215/70 r14 tyres for these cars? The 205 kelly blues ive currently got ride nice but youre totally helpless in an evasive manouvre at 60kph. Had a set of bridgestone potenzas in 215 R14 and they handled great rode a bit too firm and I dont think they come in that size anymore.

[UTn_boy]

If you're in the U.S., I recommend Tirerack.com.  I just bought a set of Michelins formy 450sel in the same size you're looking for.  Less shipping, 4 new Michelins set me back only $401.  Definitely worth it.  Even if you are overseas, you still have wonderful selections like Vredestein, Continental, and Avon. 

[Diesel 617]

205/70/14 Michelin Defender, I was skeptical that the tires were over hyped with the advertising, but these tires have held up impressively well. A great all season tire well worth every penny. The warranty is exceptional at 90k miles. And slightly better speed rating than the BFgoodrich.

[orientrot]

I can attest to Michelin Defenders being great, my parents have them on their 06 Mercury Grand Marquis. I'm running 16" CLK rims at the moment that came on my parts car with pretty new Cooper tires (don't remember the model) that are good but aren't quite as nice as the Defenders. I'll get defenders when I figure out if I am going to stay with the CLK rims, centras, or the bundts.

[Beastie]

 I actually just bought a set of tires for my own car a few weeks ago. If you're willing to drop down to 195 70 R14's you'll have a few more choices. I noticed that when I was searching. I think only the the models with the six cylinder engines were meant to have anything less than a 205 though so it might not be advisable for a V8. But I ended up with Dunlop Sport LM704 in the above size. I think also that Michelin do the XM2 in a 195 but not 205.

The gold standard would still be the XWX of course.

[s class]

It depends where one is in the world.  The big tyre manufacturers generally offer the US market with a different range than what is available elsewhere in the world. 

Here in South Africa, the only 205/70R14 tyres available are :
Nankang CX668
Dunlop LM704
Kumho KR21
Maxtrek (can't remember model).

I have tried pleading with Michelin South Africa, and Bridgestone South Africa to bring in tyres designed for the Aus market, but it seems I would need to order container loads before there would be any interest. 

[Peter]

Did the same thing here in Australia a week ago and asked Michelin why they are not stocking 205 tyres. I don't expect an answer anytime soon.

[13B]

I use BFG Radial T/A in 215/70/14 and have been pleased with them.  If you don't like the RWL just install them with the black side facing outward.

[76116]

See that you get the alignment sorted before new tyres.    There's an excellent thread here on that subject...in short, if the alignment tech waves off using the Bosch tool for preloading toe,  then go elsewhere...and of course see that your front end is in good order.

[Beastie]

I use BFG Radial T/A in 215/70/14 and have been pleased with them.  If you don't like the RWL just install them with the black side facing outward.

I just read a little bit about these and they sound good. Firm sidewall, hefty tread, high load limit.

[Peter]

I received a reply from Michelin, they have the 205/70/14 as an historic tyre. It's not listed on any website however they have stock. I'm waiting for them to confirm stock availability and price. I think they will be expensive.

[mrkozzy]

205  70  R14
Hankook.
Put a set on about a year ago.

bought mine from Jax tyres in Melbourne.
Think theres a store in Hobart.
Very comfortable tyre. Good wet weather hold also.
Quite impressed and the price was right.

[gf]

So I went to the tyre shop today and They had nothing available by michelin or BF goodrich in 205/70 r 14. I said no chinese crap please referring to my current made in china kelly blues. They had one other option available which was some brand called nankang from tiawan which Id never heard of. They assured me even though it was only a $100 tyre it would be much better than a kelly. I've had them for only a day and yes they are way better in terms of handling. Gone is the old marsh-mellow machine! You can actually feel the tyres bite into the ground when climing hills and hard fast cornering!Take offs at even low speed feel quicker which makes me think the kellys slip even in the dry. They make a lot of a roaring sound when cornering though. I haven't tried them in the wet. Personally I would never go back to the kellys.

[ptashek]

Nankang is a decent enough brand, but nothing stellar, and with rather poor grip on wet (depending on exact model, I guess).

[gf]

They're definately not up to what the  bridgestones I used to have could do!