Tires

I am reluctantly planning to replace my old but never used tires.

My old tires are 175/70-15. I can only find this size in a Vredestein Sprint Classic for $117.

Mini Coopers use 175/65-15, so this size is more commonly available.

This size is available in the Falken Ziex ZE-912, a highly rated tire.

Sears has these for $68 and right now if you buy 3 you get the 4th one free.

I may try to sell my unused and very nice, if old, Michelin XAS tires.

Hi Michael -
I also, just bought new tires for my speedster. I have the 4 bolt
15 inch chrome rims. I spent a few hours on the computer on ratings, and out of 43 different tires listed for this size, I ended up buying the Bridgestone Potenza "Pole Position" tires. They were give a 83% approval rating, and were at the top. My previous tires were junk. The size that was on the car before, were 185/65/15. I
ended up replacing them in the same size. I've only had them on for a few weeks, but have taken the car through the canyons here in Ventura County, and they perform very well. Don't know what there like on wet streets, because Speedy doesn't go out in the rain ! He's spoiled.

I thought about those too.

But, I don't think they are available in the 175 width.

I was a little concerned about going wider than 175 and decreasing clearance to the fender.

I also considered the 185/70 Vredestein Sprint Classic which would match the overall diameter of 165/78 original 356 tires and would have a traditional look. Again, I was concerned about clearance.

I really hate getting rid of my current tires because they still look good and I like the Michelin XAS. But, I keep seeing warnings about using old tires.

BFG makes a 155/80 Radial TA that is nice, and inexpensive. Kumho recently discontinued their 165/80 but I still see some around. Nankang makes a 165/80 as well. All of these tires are very close to the old metric OE speedster tires, and are about 1/2 the price mentioned.

on one of my speedies i have the potenza pole position and it seems adequate.
the new speedsy came with pirelli P4 and they are excellent and tire rack gave them an excellent score. i liked the p4s so well i put them on the honda accord too.

Are you using 4.5 or 5.5" rims? I have 20 year old Michelin XZX on mine now (still have the new tire nubs). I'm in market for new tires - Costco has 195/65x15 BF Goodrich Traction TA for $74 each and $60 instant rebate on 4 which was just extended til 7 Mar (add $14 per for mounting/balancing/hazard/etc. I used the online (they fit 05 Toyota Corolla too) Miata tire size calculator to get a popular tire that is same diameter. These are within .4 of the 165/80x15 original replacement tires. (Costco has the BFG Premier Touring for same price - tread is more for comfort but tread is deeper so it measures 25.2 dia). I'm debating whether to wait til 11 Mar when Costco will carry Bridgstone tires and will have $70 off 4. My thinking is the BS will be slightly cheaper and have a sportier tread. Think prior threads have indicated 195/65 are about largest that clear with no issues.

165/80x15 = 25.4" dia original VW (or plus up to 155x15)
195/65x15 = 25" popular size for Honda and Toyota

185/70x15 = 25.2" hard to find
175/65x15 = 24" too short
185/65x15 = 24.5" little too short

I'm running 5.5x15" 914 2L Fuchs - they are tight in back but with IRS they rebound on an angle. I have 3/8" spacers in front so disc brake calipers and tie rod ends don't scrape inside of rim (plus the billet caps clear the grease caps with the spacers- didn't with 1/4" ones).

Bob - What sizes? Classic or flared body? (Looks like both of yours are classic)

Wolfgang,

I have 5.5" wheels. With my current 175/70 tires I can fit an index finger between the tire and body when the wheels are hanging down (IRS).

I wouldn't want to decrease this much.

I don't know how it changes as the wheel moves through its range.

I have drop spindles on the front and have 3/8" spacers to get the rim away from the ball joints.

Here are some useful links:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:sxCgDtM-LXcJ:www.356registry.org/tech/tires.html+vredestein+sprint+classic&cd=48&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&lr=lang_en

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

I have the Bridgestone potenza tires as mentioned here on my Mazda 6 and I LOVE them. They were 5 pts down in the ratio depeartment vs the stock Michelins, so were just a tad smaller, but no big deal. very responsive tires, and extremely good in the wet. Might be best tires I've eever owned. I have seen them on Speedsters, and thought they ought to be great. My Speedster came w/ Khumohs (?) and these seem quite sticky, and work well.

wolgang, regular speedsters, both have 185/65/15

Conti still makes that size. Touring - NOT performance rated.
Good forgiving construction for us summer only drivers . Mine are 5yr old


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=175%2F&ratio=65&diameter=15&manufacturer=Continental&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&x=21&y=7

Remember to check those TIRE PRODUCTION DATES

I'm just starting to think about tires for my IM. I'll most likely go with a 185/65/15 Bridgestone RE960 AS Pole Position, or Falken ZE 912. I'd like to go with a 195/60-15, which only has a 0.3 inch smaller diameter, or a 195/65-15 for a slightly lower highway cruising speed, but I'm not sure they would fit in the rear with my present wheel offset.
Unfortunately, no one makes an ultra high performance tire in sizes that will fit our cars.

I also considered Vredestein Sportrac 3.

You guys have me thinking about tires. My Kumhos are a little over four years old now.
I guess it'll be a trick finding a tire shop that will be careful with aluminum wheels, huh?

Some tires shops also sell aftermarket wheels, that's where I would go to ~

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+H4S&partnum=865HR5H4S

Great tires.

Cory - Just find a place that has a touchless tire mounting machine. Avoid old gas station with the machine that grips reverse side with clamps (leave nast nail like marks) and they they use a maual pry bar. Costco uses the touchless machine - bet even Walmart does.

...touchless mounting machine? Sounds kinda like my last date...

Bridgestone Pole Positions, RE960, have been used by a few of the Spyder guys to good effect. They seem to be one of the stickiest street tires available. They come in 185/65,195/65,195/60, and 205/60/15. Just right for us. They'll cost you $300 a set, but worth it IMHO.

$300 a set?! You're lucky. I paid ~$800 for a set (in. mounting & balancing) of 17's for my Acura. Great tires, tho'.

As soon as you start going up in wheel diameter the price increases dramatically.

Oh, right, I forgot to mention the cost. Those Pole position numbers are expensive, like about $800 for the set on the Mazda. But like I said, the car feels like it's on rails, and very good in the wet. Those tires are the only thing between you and certain death; better to not scrimp on them.

$800 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? You must have bought yours from Omar, the
carpet salesman. The set I bought two weeks ago, in 185/65/15
were $279. I specifically asked, these better not be 2nd's !
He said, he got them from the warehouse here in Simi Valley,
where all the tire dealers get their tires. Don't buy them
"on-line", call around for prices Mike.

And check when the tire was manufactured (the date is on the sidewall). I recently bought a set of snow tires for my Miata from the Tire Rack (great sale price) that were three years old.

i would strongly recommend not buying a set of tires based on price. this is one area you don't want to cheap out.

i bought a set of cheapy's years ago. general warm weather - average. cold / wet - suck. next set was the best i could find. Night and day in terms of stopping distance, traction, wet weather handling.

I just order a set of Bridgestone RE960AS Pole Position 185/65-15 from Discount Tire. $340 US delivered.
Mine will be sent to Sumas, Washington, and I'll drive across the border and pick them up.

You'll love 'em.

I originally put a set of RE 960s on the car when I first owned it. Unfortunately, they're 7 years old, so they have to go.