Coupe tire sizes?

[radioal]

I am restoring a '75 US spec 1800 coupe. It is time for tires and I am wondering what my options are. It has stock alloy rims which currently have 195/60-14 BFG Radial T/As which seem to clear OK, but look to be a little bit too wide for the stock rims. I am looking at Pirelli 185/65-14 as a compromise between the original 175/70-14s and what is currently on the car.

Anybody have any experience with these?

Al

[HFStuart]

Pirelli tyres tend to be pretty hard and squealy (excluding the top spec ones that you can't get for a 14" rim) and IMHO expensive for what they are.

If you're not doing mega miles I'd suggest Toyo CF-1, in 185/65-14. Not too expensive quiet and more grip than you can shake a stick at. Not quite so good in the wet but still an excellent tyre. Thing is I don't know if they are available in the US.

Stuart

[SubGothius]

185/65R14 is the general rule for a sensible maximum tire size on the factory 14x5.5" alloys. Some tire models, like the Falken Ziex ZE-512 many Beta Lancisti seem to like, can fit at a 195/60R14 size without rubbing (any tire that rubs, either statically or dynamically, by definition does not fit); however, I suspect this is more a matter of those tires running a bit small for their rated size (ie, their 195/60 is comparable to other brands' 185/65s?). I've gathered that the Falkens are cheap and plenty sticky but tend to wear out fast, and I'm a bit leery of their thin sidewalls, a design element which may account for the preference many have for running those tires at a fairly high pressure.

Personally, I've been eyeing up the BFGoodrich Traction T/A in a 185/65R14, which gets good reviews on TireRack.com, but I'm not sure whether handling would be better running the cheaper T-rated version with longer treadlife vs. the slightly pricier H-rated version with shorter treadlife. BFG's own site seemed to imply that the T would have slightly better street handling, which could make sense if the H trades off a bit of low-speed handling for structural integrity at its higher rated max speed. However, the T seems harder to find, and the H shows up on sale at Sears for $55 regularly (as does the Falken for $~45). I also like the Traction T/As' blocky treads and smooth, block-lettered sidewalls, which seem more "period correct" for a Beta; those sidewalls are also reassuringly hefty -- the sample at Sears felt inflated compared to the Falken next to it!

Others on my radar for good review scores in handling, ride and noise include: The new Yokohama TRZ -- maybe too new to tell how they'll do over the long run, and a tendency for tramlining on the highway seems to appear in reviews enough to notice;
Toyo Proxes TPT -- Toyos seem priced at a premium in N. America;
Bridgestone Turanza LS-T -- also a bit pricey, seems more apropos of a sedan than a sporting coupe;
Yokohama H4S -- seems to run a close second (prolly not statistically significant?) in review scores against the others mentioned here, maybe a good all-arounder vs. others that excel in one or two categories;
Sumitomo HTR200 -- dirt filthy cheap, and my Zag's PO (a retired Pirelli R&D man and SCCA competitor) swears confidence with these that he can out-corner anyone in his car's class (race-prepped 1800 coupe), so apparently lackluster review scores may not compare well to the others here (ie, a decent Summer Performance tire like this may still perform better than an excellent All-Season Performance-Touring tire?).


Ultimately, my choice among these will prolly come down to affordable availability when I'm actually ready and able to buy. ;)