glabrous12

Hi there,
I've got a 1985 GSL-SE with the original wheels and I'm trying to find tires that will fit (and ideally look good while doing so).

Currently, I've got Pirelli P600 205/60 VR14s however, one burst. And apparently they are no longer available.

When I began looking for tires -there weren't many options - I've taken a look at the standard tire outlets online but was hoping that someone might be able to suggest a brand or website for classic tires.

Thanks for your help.
Colin

lx_machado

iTrader: (13)

On my next set of tires I'll be going with the 205/60/14 Toyo Vimode

Looks like Tire Rack only has a Hoosier in that size. Have you checked ebay? You can always drop down to a 195/60/14 if you have no other option.

XXXJ

iTrader: (5)

On my factory wheels I had Falken Ziex 512's in 205/60/14.

glabrous12

Thanks for your thoughts.
I've seen Falken tires advertized - how did you like them.

In that size I've also found Nexen and Federal tires but I don't know anything about them. Thoughts?
Tire rack, discount tires and other sites like that don't seem to offer many options. But I will check out ebay- can't say that it occurred to me to look there.

XXXJ

iTrader: (5)

I liked them pretty well, they seemed to have decent wet traction. At the time I was giving less than $50 a tire.

Cookboy

iTrader: (10)

I recently got a set of 195/60/14 Michelins which seems better than any street tire i can recall, especially in the rain, but it's been 20 years since my last Rx7.

glabrous12

Hey there,

Thanks again for your thoughts. A mechanic told me that it should be possible to go up to a 215/60 R14 - to replace the 205/60r14s- He did say that I might have problems with cornering - What are peoples experiences with larger than stock tires?

Thanks,

XXXJ

iTrader: (5)

While they are a lil bit wider, they are also taller. So your speedometer is gonna be off a lil bit also. I would stick with the factory height.

74RX4

iTrader: (10)

215s that I have had worked fine in the rear, but rubbed bad in the front with stock or RB springs.

glabrous12

Hey There,

Thank you once again for taking the time to write. Based on what you've all said- I'll be getting some stock size tires. It would appear to be the wisest option.

Thanx once more.

C.

audiciter

Revisiting this since I'm looking for tires myself. There seem to be only one option available for oem sized tires, the Nankang 611s. Anyone else have any luck with 205 60 14s or something similar in a 14"?

lx_machado

iTrader: (13)

How much are you finding the Nankang 611s for?

Cookboy

iTrader: (10)

195 60 14 offers several good choices. And a little less height. I got Michelin Pilots at SAMs club last summer.

Cameron38

iTrader: (2)

The only 205/60-14's left do seem to be from Chinese Manufacturers (Nankang, Federal etc). They tend to be about $50 - $60 and are of dubious quality I'm told. I would definitely vote for going with a name brand Japanese, Korean or American 195/60-14 tire.

rotornoob

iTrader: (2)

I have always had good experiences with kumho tires and bridgestone. Always steered clear of the cheapies if I had a choice...they tend to wear quickly and have sub standard grip...if all four tires squeal when I'm going up or down an onramp/offramp at <50 mph I don't trust them

ray green

iTrader: (14)

What was the recommended stock tire size on the SE?

Cookboy

iTrader: (10)

205/60/14. Which would account for the marginally lower final drive ratio, as a plus one on the 185/70/13 would be 195/60/14, not quite as tall.

Cameron38

iTrader: (2)

I have had good luck with Kumho tires also. I have just upgraded my stock SE wheels to Kumho 205/55-15's on 15x7 American Racing Wheels. I'm going to get the stock SE wheels refinished and hang on to them in case I ever want to go back to stock.

Red95FD

iTrader: (3)

I have a set of Nexen CP631 on my gslse and I like them alot. I believe Nexen is originally from Firestone. Nice ride, excellent grip. Not too many tires in the correct size to choose from anymore.

Rot005

I'm using stock wheels with Eiback coils and Tokico shocks, running 215/60/14 in front and 245/60/14 in rear BFG Radial T/As in my 85 GSL-SE and love the ride!

Cameron38

iTrader: (2)

The Nexen's are a Korean Brand so they are bound to be better than the Chinese brands...

gsl-sekid89

i think i have 195 60 14 and i got some good copper tires look around town fair tire was the most expensive on this brand

project7s

iTrader: (5)

Rot could you post some pics of your car with those size tires? Im intersted in seeing its stance.

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

2016 bump!

Researching tires for my buddy's oem SE wheels, and there definitely isn't anything in the oem 205/60-14. Nothing worth mentioning anyway.

In my opinion the only valid 'performance' tire choice out there that will fit the 14x5.5 oem wheels is the Falken Azenis 615-K in 195/60-14

AZENIS RT615K TIRE | Falken Tire

One other option---

If you want to get down to a pretty tiny OD, the Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec are available in 185/60-14. Quality tires, sticky as all hell, and the width sits well on a five point five inch wheel with just less than 9 inches of sidewall. Certainly smaller overall diameter than stock but perfectly acceptable and that 185mm of ZII will give immensely better performance than anything out there in a 205mm

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....+ZII+Star+Spec

Megabridge

iTrader: (2)

I have an SE. I had a set of Nexen's. They are crappy, especially in the rain. Once they started wearing a little, the lost all side grip.
Yeah, buying tires to fit the stock SE wheels is tough. I finally bought some Sumitumo's. They seem to do everything fairly well, and they were waaaay cheap!