Mini lites and tires

[Jeb Stuart]

I have 14” mini lites on a s3. I have 195/60R 14 Falken Azenis RT6115k tires on now. They are the same height as the stock tires and fit well. Have had them for awhile and need to replace them. Have good tread but old. The thing is they are way too much tire for the chassis.
Question is what size brand type tires could I get that are narrower but would be the same height? Need less grip and a little more slide and play. That make sense? Thanks, Jeb

 

[Barry]

I have 14” mini lites on a s3. I have 195/60R 14 Falken Azenis RT6115k tires on now. They are the same height as the stock tires and fit well. Have had them for awhile and need to replace them. Have good tread but old. The thing is they are way too much tire for the chassis.
Question is what size brand type tires could I get that are narrower but would be the same height? Need less grip and a little more slide and play. That make sense? Thanks, Jeb

An interesting observation

The ideal tire section width is a function of wheel width. How wide are your 14" mini lites?

FWIW, a 195 mm tire section width is what most tire makers recommend for a 6" wide wheel.

 

[alpine_64]

The falken azenis are a great tyre but mosern track focused...stiff sidewall and sticky comound.. makes the ride harsh and they throw stones.

As you are prepared to spend good money on tyres I would recommend the

https://www.vredestein.co.uk/classic-tyres/products/990-SPRINT-CLASSIC/

Get the : 185/70 VR 14 88V or the 185 HR 14 90H

They have a period look and use modern compounds and a good balance of ride v handling.

 

[alpine_64]

I have Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 on my SII with 14x6 wheels and 195/60/14 front and 195/65/14 rear just to lengthen the gearing... with the overdrive and 3.89 diff.. makes a very relaxed highway drive

 

[mxp01]

I was thinking 195/70.

I currently have 175/70 R13, and If I did my math right that's about 22-1/2" diameter. I measure the wheel and tire this morning and the true measurement was 21-1/2" that's probably due to wear and weight on the wheel/tire. Tire are over ten years old.

The 195/70 R15 is about 24-1/4 diameter, fills the front wheel well up quite nice according to my tape measure. But I am concerned about the rear and clearance with the fender.

oops I responded to the wrong thread.

 

[Toyanvil]

I use this Tire calculator

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Thanks all, as always, for the good info and advice.

 

[Barry]

An interesting observation

The ideal tire section width is a function of wheel width. How wide are your 14" mini lites?

FWIW, a 195 mm tire section width is what most tire makers recommend for a 6" wide wheel.

As a general rule, tire makers approve going 20 mm narrower or 10 mm wider than the nominal section width.

For a 14 x 6" wheel , the nominal tire section width is typically 195 mm, the lower section width limit would probably be 175 mm and the upper section width limit would probably be 205 mm.

The tire profile is a separate issue. Your current 195/60-14 tires have an inflated diameter of about 23.2". A
175/65-14 has an inflated diameter of about 23.0 and a 175/70-14 has an inflated diameter of about 23.6".

The factory bias-ply tires had an inflated diameter of about 22.6".