Berlina - 15" tyre size

[Damo105]

Hi All

I know there are other threads dealing with tyre sizes, but what I'm after opinions on, is what tyre size to use on the GTA 15" replicas from Alfaholics that I'll be putting on my 1750.

Based on the original tyre size 165/R14, which I believe were about an 80 profile, the closest overall diameter size is going to be a 195/60/15. However, performance tyre choice is limited in this size, in fact there are no true high-performance tyres in this size available in Australia.

There is however a wide choice of performance tyres in 195/55/15, however that size will be about 30mm smaller in overall diameter than original size.

So if I use a 55 series tyre, there are a number of issues:

• speedo will be about 4-5% out.
• the car will be geared slightly lower which is not so great for highway cruising. Will also have a lower top speed, though that's incidental unless I'm on a track, which I may be occassionally.
• the car will sit about 15mm lower, and this could be a big deal as I'm fitting the Alfaholics fast road kit and am expecting the car to sit 1" to 1.5" lower anyway.

It's also hard to know which tyres will fill out the wheel arches better.

Then of course there is 205/55/15, which would be a suitable diameter also, but I don't expect I'd get 205mm under the rear arches, and the steering would also be too heavy I think.

So can anyone speak from experience? Is anyone running 15" rims on a Berlina, and if so what tyres are you using, and do you have any pics so I can see how they fill out the wheel arches?

Also, does anyone know who owns this grey Berlina? As it has an identical stance to what I am aiming to achieve, and it looks to have the 15" TZ rims, so I'd love to know what tyres, springs etc are on it.

Cheers

Damien

[sprint750]

Hello Damien,

I don't understand your search for High performance tyres. Modern tyres ar by far superior to 'period' tyres which were the standart when these vehicle were designed. Unless you only care for the esthetic (period high profile tyres look cool anyway )

Any modern tyre will fit perfectly your car. You don't need the same tyres as for a Subaru or BMW M3 with 1/3 of the power...

As far as I'm concerned, my '67 Giulia Super came from Italy with 185/60x15 Firestone F560 on it. I don't like them: Too much grip, even if it is basic tourism tyres. The steering is heavy at low speed and the car do no slip any more that make it difficult to control (this is the fuse preventing you to go too far) . I have the feeling that the tyres are more rigid than the front axle and the steering and having no feedback from the road. The comfort is also altered compared to 155x15 I have on another Super.

You must always keep in mind that there is no subframe on the front axle of a 105. Any stress is dispatched directly to the steering box (becoming a rare item) and the chassis where the welding spots have a tendancy to become loose.

Best regards
Sébastien

[Richard2]

You need to be real careful going away from standard wheels on a Berlina. I don't know what the offset is on the GTA reoriginals, but I'm running BWA wheels with 185/65/14 that completely fill out the rear wheel well. I think the Berlina has much less clearance on the rear than a GTV, or Spyder.

[Seinista]

use a normal 185/65/15. Find yourself a cheap Toyo, for grip, or a good Vredestein, and all will be well.
This will look good, and handle more than OK. If anything it will have too much grip.
I have these tire sizes on my 15 inch Pana's fitted to my berlina.
I find a 185 65 14 is too tiny for filling wheelwells. I use 185/70.
For the best circumference in fitting 15 inch, I use 185/65/15.
You should NEVER go wider tha a 185 on a 105....
At least, for street use.
Rik

[Andrew]

I had 195/60-14 front and rear on a Berlina with Turbinas (5.5"), and had no scraping issues. Another Berlina with 205/60-14 on 6" BWA mags did scrape on the outer side at the rear. I don't know what their offset was.

I would think with the right (stock) offset, 195 would be no problem on 15" wheels, and 205 would be posssible with inward offset a tiny bit (5mm). The more you lower it the less clearance you have though.

I personally am not a fan of wide tires, especially with low horsepower. But if you have extra power you can probably use the extra tire.

My current Berlina is a ground scaper, but does fine with 185/70-14 on 5.5" steel 14" wheels (see attached).

Andrew

[Damo105]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I should have mentioned that my 1750 Berlina will be running a highly modified 2lt engine, with about 170-180HP at the flywheel.

The 15" GTA replica rims from Alfaholics have an offset of ET35, specifically designed to fit the rear of 105 sedans. So there won't be a clearance issue with 195s. I want a high performance tyre to handle the extra power, and because I don't intend to drive the car gently.

I think I'll stick with 195/60, and just buy the best tyre I can in that size. There are no performance tyres in Australia in 185/65/15.

[Alleggerita]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damo105 The 15" GTA replica rims from Alfaholics have an offset of ET35, specifically designed to fit the rear of 105 sedans. So there won't be a clearance issue with 195s.

[Damo105]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alleggerita I wouldn't be so sure about that, as a 195/60-14 on a 6x14 rim w/ ET38 on a Giulia Super is a tight fit. One inch wider and taller is quite a bit to fit on a Berlina which is also very tight in that area. I would have a conversation w/ Max before ordering.

[Subtle]

If it is not too late, you might look at the Continental Pro contact--made for the new Mini Cooper they are available in a number of sizes for the 15 inch wheel.

I have the 175/65/15 and they have been good in the wet and dry on my Spider.

A modern tire that looks vintage.

[Damo105]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subtle If it is not too late, you might look at the Continental Pro contact--made for the new Mini Cooper they are available in a number of sizes for the 15 inch wheel. I have the 175/65/15 and they have been good in the wet and dry on my Spider. A modern tire that looks vintage.

[siegerdehaan89]

Here, take a look at my Giulia. I have steel wheels, 15x6J ET30 and fitted 185/60/15.



http://www.alfaspeed.nl/forum/viewto...=asc&start=330

I think this is pretty cool on a heavy lowered 105. 185/65/15 looks better if the car's higher I think!

Though, I only have ~7mm space between tyre and body.

@ Seinista: Thanks, changed!!

[Seinista]

sieger, you don't have stainless wheels. Stainless means roestvrijstaal....
RVS. en dat is te bros voor wielen. So either you have steel wheels, or shiny wheels, or whatever, but stainless they ain't....

;-)

[ppth99]

Damo105 - did you fit the suspension kit and wheels ? Any pics ? I am thinking about the same kit, would like to see how high / low the alfaholics kit is - did you get the kit A or B ?

[alfabiscione]

my blue 1750Berlina 70'

195/60/14 and 205/60/14

[Damo105]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppth99 Damo105 - did you fit the suspension kit and wheels ? Any pics ? I am thinking about the same kit, would like to see how high / low the alfaholics kit is - did you get the kit A or B ?