Tyres - What Choice for 14" Wheels

[v8s4me]

I'm finding it difficult to source new tyres for the 14" wheels. None of the leading brands seem to offer anything in this size, 205/60 VR14.



The local tyre fitters has come up with Nankang Comfort XR611 at £250 for 4 fitted. I've done a bit of research on Nankangs here on PH and opinion varies from "total crap" to "bloody good tyres". Has anyone here fitted Nankangs to their Wedge and what's the verdict.

[v8s4me]

Thanks for the feedback. I really like the wheels so I'm not planning to change them. So long as I can find tyres for them anyway!

[v8s4me]

Looking that way. I checked all of the leading 10 "branded" websites and none of them do a 14" tyre in 205 width.

[v8s4me]

The marking on my wheels is 6.00Jx14 H2. So can I fit a 195/60 or 65 to my wheels?

[v8s4me]

Tasmin200 said:

According to the Bible a 82 to 83 280 should have 195/60 14 H rated tyre.

phillpot said:

....205 is on the fat side for a skinny 6" rim ..........

My handbook lists 205/60VR14 for the 280.

Tasmin200 said:

What about dropping to a 195/60 or 65? ...

That's a brilliant suggestion! Thank you. This change opens up options from Continental (ContiPremiumContact 2), Bridgestone (TURANZA ER300) and Pirelli (Cinturato P1). Using Phillpot's size guide
indicates I could drop one more increment to 185 which opens up the Dunlop SPORT BLURESPONSE. This is a very good tyre.

Thanks again

Edited by v8s4me on Thursday 3rd November 20:05

[v8s4me]

Wedg1e said:

...... avoid Toyo Proxes like the plague.......

Toyo Proxes.....?



Never again! Mind you, there was a fair dose of stupidity and lack of talent involved as well

[v8s4me]

Thanks for the suggestion

[v8s4me]

Funds permitting I'll probably go for the Bridgestone Turanza or Continental ContiPremiumContact 2. My daily driver has always run on Turanza's from new and I can't fault them. Unfortunately the DD will be needing new tyre in a few months as well.

Thanks for all the suggestions, especially the one about dropping a size

[v8s4me]

I now have a set of 15" wheels but before I splash out on a refurb and a new set of tyres I need an old 205/60/15 tyre to try on to see if it rubs the front wheel arch? Anyone got one and going to Duxford on Sunday? Thanks in advance

[v8s4me]

That's where I may end up but If I can get a 60 to fit I was thinking I could run them on the soft side and make the suspension more compliant on the ste roads we have around here.

If anyone has an old 205/55/15 instead then I'll try that and see if it rubs.

BTW, I have a 205/60/15 on a 6" wheel and it seems to be OK. So it's the extra width which might be causing the issue.

Incidentally, On the standard 14" x 6" wheel the 205/60 tyre rubs.....



Since this picture was taken I've had the castor adjusted and the rubbed patch is now just the size of a 50p piece. This isn't an issue because I'll "adjust" that out with the angle grinder. Strangely the 205/60/15 on the 6" wheel doesn't rub. But before I open my wallet I need to what will happen with a 205/60/15 or a 205/55/15 on a 7" wheel

Edited by v8s4me on Wednesday 26th April 09:15

[v8s4me]

This is the 6" wheel with a 205/60/15 tyre and a 1/2" wheel spacer.



So in theory this is the same as a 7" wheel, I think. Anyone know better?

There was no rubbing on a quick run round the block but breaking with one wheel bigger than the other is interesting

[v8s4me]

I've measured the distance from the back of the rim to the back face and subtracted it from 1/2 the width of the wheel. I've now done it correctly!

Standard 14" x 6" wheel (152.4 / 2 ) = 76.2-110 = ET33.8 (208 / 2) = 104 - 124 = ET20



15" x 7" wheel (177.8 / 2) = 88.9 - 125 = ET36.1 (203 / 2) = 101.5 - 125 = ET 23.5



BUT, the lable on this wheel says ET23. Close enough!



What's going on here? As they say, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Using the same correct measuring method the 6" Granada steel wheel has an ET of 41

I'm totally confused now. No change here then.

This handy calculator tells me that with a 55 profile tyre the diameter will be only 4.9mm larger but the outside edge of the tyre will stick out (poke) 9.7mm more. With a 60 profile tyre the poke will still be 9.7mm but the diameter increases by 25.4mm.

Using the same calculator to compare the 15" x 6" steel wheel with the 15" x 6" alloy I can see that the alloy one will poke out 18mm more meaning there's very little chance a 60 won't catch.

So chances are a 205/55 tyre will be OK but I still want to put a tyre on and test the theory before splashing the cash.

Edited by v8s4me on Friday 28th April 14:49

Edited by v8s4me on Friday 28th April 14:54

[v8s4me]

Here are the 15” refurbished wheels shod with a set of 205/60 tyres. I had the wheels done in silver with a touch of sparkle. In flat light they look like any other silver wheel but when the sun catches them they really light up. Brilliant IMHO.







But there’s a problem. I’ve only been round the block twice and they rub in too many places for this combination of wheel and tyre to work. I love the way they look on the car and the extra ride height helps with ground clearance but unfortunately I think they will have to go. I’ve looked into fitting the 15” wheels with 205/55 tyres which will give the dame diameter as the originals but I think the “poke” is still going to cause problems (these are 7” wide compared to the 6” of the original MoMo lattice wheels). Given what I’ve spent so far I can’t justify taking a gamble on a set of tyres in this size.

I’ve found a supplier with a set of 205/60 14 for reasonable money so I am going to give up and stick with the original 14”s and try to cut my losses on the 15”s.

Before I put the 15”s on FB & PH is anyone on here looking for a lovely set of 15” lattice wheels with decent tyres on them?

[v8s4me]

YHM

[v8s4me]

Original 14" MoMo wheels now back on with new 205/60 tyres...



I think I now prefer these to the 15" wheels as the car sits lower and looks less "pumped up" (see photo above. And no rubbing anywhere

I now realise the centre caps which originally came with the wheels aren't for the MoMo's at all. The last owner made them fit by jamming the shoulders into the centre holes. These caps are for the OZ/MSW wheels..



As you can see, the MoMo wheels have a raised collar in the centre to clear the hub nut meaning they need a "normal" flat clip in type of centre cap. Any one got a picture of one.

[v8s4me]

v8s4me said:

Here are the 15” refurbished wheels shod with a set of 205/60 tyres. I had the wheels done in silver with a touch of sparkle. In flat light they look like any other silver wheel but when the sun catches them they really light up. Brilliant IMHO.

.....now on PH & FB so is anyone on here looking for a lovely set of 15” lattice wheels with decent tyres on them?