Tire Size 195/65-15 on 5.5x15 wheel

Drums or disks on the rear?

 

I don't like reports of poor handling and longevity of run flat tires --- nor extra cost and limited choices.  Have you considered a 4x15" VW rim (if 4 bolt) with a temp donut tire?  Even a can of fix-a-flat can be useful. Most don't use Speedsters daily or even put enough miles on the tires to warrant going to run flat tires.  I know that wasn't your question.

AAA or Hagerty will give you flat bed towing. I believe that AAA also has an optional extended mileage towing plan.

 

A 195 is 10mm wider overall, so only 5mm a side. It may fit depending on how close they are now.

 

Run flats carry a weight penalty, don't they?

 

 

Yes they do.  I was surprised how well the run-flats on the BMW did at my recent track day.  Despite being 4 years old and close the end on tread they stuck very well on a wet track.  Even my instructor was impressed.  Still, I've already ordered the spare tire kit so that I can replace them with regular tires soon.

The Bridgestone Drive Guard is 7lbs. heavier than the Goodrich H rated all season TA, and 8lbs. more than the T rated TA.

The 195s should fit without issues on your IM.  195/60s also work well.  Personally, I would not recommend going with runflats.  Lane's worked fine on his BMW, but I really disliked the runflats on my 2006 Mini Cooper S.  Mine were absolutely abysmal in the rain and had a hard ride.

Many of us, including me, drive without a spare.  I have my roadside assistance membership and a can of 'tire filler-up foam', along with a small compressor.

On my 2003 IM Speedster I have disc brakes front and rear.  One response said that the run flats weigh about 8 pounds more per tire.  If that is true I would not want to add that much un-sprung weight to each wheel.  The Bridgestone run flats have a good review at Tire Rack, so I will check the weight issue.  I will be going to some forged Rudge wheels that weigh 7 pounds per wheel less than the wide five wheels I am now running, so I would not want to negate that weight improvement.  Thanks for the responses!

Rudge wheels? Whoa.

Tanner- The weight info was compliments of Tirerack.

Ahh, looks like Tanner bought the boyds that we're listed on the samba. If those are the ones he got, they are CNC, not forged.

Hi Ted,

 

I may have it wrong, but why can't a cnc wheel be forged?  I thought the billet stock for wheels could be cast, forged, or rolled.  Sorry, I couldn't find the ad to check for myself.  

You could forge something to shape (for example, a crankshaft) and do the final machining in a CNC machine, but I think Boyds wheels are CNC machined from solid billet. Why they do it this way, I don't know. Al

I'm not 100% sure how those were made. I simply assumed all his stuff was done via CNC. I'm also assuming Tanned picked up the 5 Rudge look alike wheels from the samba. I could be way off base.

That's Scott Sloan's Speedster. 

 

Most righteous speedster ever built. We tip our collective hats to you, sir.

I was wondering if that was Scott's old car. Yes, a tip of the ole hat.

Ted

Tanner, you're jumping up a half an inch in tire size and that will make a difference in your car feels and rides.  Especially with the harder tires you're considering.  If you do jump up find the softest tires you can find.  I've been through this already and I'm trying to save you money.

Yes, that is Scott’s Speedster. Then it went to a fellow in Oregon and I purchased it. I had Carrera bumpers and trim, vintage German Hanburg radio (updated ipod etc.), vintage seatbelts with Porsche emblems, Marchal fogs (real ones), Porsche emblems and Carrera emblems installed. Different new Coco mats and an original shift knob in ivory. My next mod is to go with Rudge forged wheels. I am putting an oil breather box on the engine, and alloy valve covers. Eventually I will have the Carrera type exhaust on the car Jet Coated in matte silver (some of the ceramic coating is wearing off). I figure if it was configured as a Carrera it should be all the way! I also will be doing considerable cleaning under the car. Probably go with an Odssey (much lighter weight and closed gel) battery and Rennline battery holder. I might just keep the 185/65-15 tires they are new. I am seriously bonding with Speedy! Joe

Why mess with perfection? I think this particular car with it's current setup is one of the most admired and coveted speedsters on here.

Try these bad boys.

DROOL! Ted P has some of those bad boys! 

$750 a pop.

 

Tanny, you have the madness really bad.....and that's a good thing.