Early Chimaera front tyres again
Discussion
OK, did another check on available tyres (in the Netherlands) for the 15-inch fronts on a '93 Chim and am about to give you a listing of all premium-branded tyres in W or ZR rating found (all in ascending order of price within group):
The OE sizing on a '93, 205/60/15 (currently on the car in the shape of V-rated Avon ZV3s, which are incidentally available in W speed rating, but that as an aside as I restricted my search to premium makes):
Pirelli P7 205/60 R15W
Continental Premium Contact 205/60 R15W
Michelin Pilot Primacy 205/60 R15W
All good, premium saloon car tyres but none of them are considered UHP or even 'sporty'.
The later OE size of 205/55/15:
Goodyear Eagle F1 205/55 R15W (note: according to Goodyear's website these are listed as the older GSD-2 profile, notGSD-3)
Dunlop SP Sport 9000 205/55 ZR15
Bridgestone Potenza S-03PP 205/55 R15W
Michelin Pilot Exalto 205/55 R15W
That's more like it. I'd eliminate the Michelin, personally, as it's even more expensive than the Bridgestone (which in itself is a fair bit more expensive than the other two) and not an UHP tyre (that role is fulfilled by the Pilot Sport 2s which are not available in any of the 'eligible' sizes) inse, and the Eagles because they're still the older GSD-2 profile which is reported to be not nearly as good as the '3s (which are in their fifth year on the market already, themselves).
The original Griffith front size of 215/50/15 - rears were the same as Chimaera, makes for a slightly more focused set up with less of the front washing wide after turn-in?
Dunlop SP Sport 9000 215/50 ZR15
Comments and discussion invited...
The OE sizing on a '93, 205/60/15 (currently on the car in the shape of V-rated Avon ZV3s, which are incidentally available in W speed rating, but that as an aside as I restricted my search to premium makes):
Pirelli P7 205/60 R15W
Continental Premium Contact 205/60 R15W
Michelin Pilot Primacy 205/60 R15W
All good, premium saloon car tyres but none of them are considered UHP or even 'sporty'.
The later OE size of 205/55/15:
Goodyear Eagle F1 205/55 R15W (note: according to Goodyear's website these are listed as the older GSD-2 profile, notGSD-3)
Dunlop SP Sport 9000 205/55 ZR15
Bridgestone Potenza S-03PP 205/55 R15W
Michelin Pilot Exalto 205/55 R15W
That's more like it. I'd eliminate the Michelin, personally, as it's even more expensive than the Bridgestone (which in itself is a fair bit more expensive than the other two) and not an UHP tyre (that role is fulfilled by the Pilot Sport 2s which are not available in any of the 'eligible' sizes) inse, and the Eagles because they're still the older GSD-2 profile which is reported to be not nearly as good as the '3s (which are in their fifth year on the market already, themselves).
The original Griffith front size of 215/50/15 - rears were the same as Chimaera, makes for a slightly more focused set up with less of the front washing wide after turn-in?
Dunlop SP Sport 9000 215/50 ZR15
Comments and discussion invited...
AFAIK tyres of the correct speed rating are and MOT (or APK as it's called here) requirement in the Netherlands, and I imagine you'd find yourself in a bit of a legal mess if you'd have an incident in Germany with non-approved tyres so I'd like to avoid that issue altogether, especially as there are still a few viable choices out there with a W or ZR classification.
When I bought my early Chimaera it had 205/60 15s on the front. I always thought that they looked wrong as they were too tall. I had problems with rubbing at full lock also. When I replaced the wheels/tyres I went for a smaller rolling diameter closer to the later OE size.
For 15 inch fronts the later OE 205/55 15s would be better in my opinion. As for which brand of tyres...opinions vary, but do get the correct speed rating.
For 15 inch fronts the later OE 205/55 15s would be better in my opinion. As for which brand of tyres...opinions vary, but do get the correct speed rating.
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