[fangio8c]

Yes, I did a search first. However, there is not much info regarding opinions and options for Supers with 15" tires. Seems like most Super wheel/tire info is aimed at 14" wheels/tires.

Here goes...

15" stock steel wheels... it looks like the options are very slim (sorry for the pun):

1. Vredestein Sprint Classic in a 165R15 (they have discontinued the Sprint+)
2. Michelin XZX 165SR15

Any opinions on these or other 15" tires for stock steel wheels? Tire pressure recommendations? Vendors?

If going with Alfaholics 15x7 GTA replicas (ET35 offset) what size and brand would you recommend (obviously modern not classic tires)? Is a 185/60 correct? Tire pressure recommendations?

All-in-all I prefer narrow tires and need ones that will perform well when wet.

Thanks in advance.

 

[vespam5]

If you go with 15x7 Alfaholics, I hear the size to go with is 195/55-15 which is also about as much tire as you can fit in the rear anyways.

 

[Wayne]

Tire Size

I settled on 185/65/15. A reasonable compromise between the original tall narrow tires and current low aspect ratio wide tires I think. There are a handful of modest performance tires in this size on Tire Rack and similar sites. I purchased some Falken Ziex. With wheels 7 inches wide, 195 or even 205 is feasible if the offset is just right, if you prefer a wider tire.

 

[alfa2go]

Try this thread on the Oz forum

Tyre Recommendations Super on R15's - 185/60 ?

 

[fangio8c]

I settled on 185/65/15. A reasonable compromise between the original tall narrow tires and current low aspect ratio wide tires I think. There are a handful of modest performance tires in this size on Tire Rack and similar sites. I purchased some Falken Ziex. With wheels 7 inches wide, 195 or even 205 is feasible if the offset is just right, if you prefer a wider tire.

I prefer narrow tires. I really like the 165SR15 Michelin XZX on the car now. But, they are old and need to be replaced. Are your 185/65/15s on stock steels or GTAs, TZs, other? Is the steering still light and nimble?

 

[tmt]

I have the vredestein sprint classic, 155r15, and they are great!
Look the part and wonderful steering They also screech when turning to tightly at speed, just as in the movies
Jan

 

[voletto]

hello

finally someone that understands a GIULIA speaks.

you are a clever man and for sure know how to enjoy a SUPER

I use on my 1300 ti de firestone 155/15 and the car is fantastic

 

[Alleggerita]

If you are willing to shell out get Avon CR6ZZ in 175/70-15 (hard mixture) -available from Roger Kraus. Stick and still quite skinny. They are also available in 155-15 if you have to be that skinny ...

 

[Alex]

+1 for the CR6ZZ, a great tyre. Getting the harder compound is important as I should imagine the soft ones will wear out too fast. BMTR is the best place to purchase these in the UK, not Longstone or Vintage Tyres.

 

[markivan]

185/55 R15 Toyo Proxes worked great for me! - Roger Kraus Racing Ent., Inc.- Castro Valley, CA. they can help.

 

[Wayne]

In answer to your questions, I mounted the 185/65/15 on the origianl steel wheels. No the steering is not as "light" as with 155 or 165 tires, but I think it tracks well and turning effort is only high when parking. From 155 to 205 or what have you, steering effort and grip increase. It is just a question of degree; I don't think there is a magic tipping point. It is a matter of personal taste and the look and feel you are after.

Anxious to see pictures of the car you acquired, for which you are presumably buying these tires.

 

[Alfajay]

In answer to your questions, I mounted the 185/65/15 on the origianl steel wheels. No the steering is not as "light" as with 155 or 165 tires, but I think it tracks well and turning effort is only high when parking.

Hey Wayne:

Keep in mind that another factor when working on a 105 with a Burman box is the fragile nature of the steering box casting. Wide tires => greater steering effort => more stress on the casting => cracked castings. Search "Burman, cracks" in the BB archives - you will find a number of hits.

I'm not saying that 185/65 will crack your box tomorrow. I'm not even sure if the epidemic of cracked boxes isn't the result of colllision damage. But, if it were me, I'd stick with the Vredestein Sprint Classic 165R15's, and save the fat tires for my Corvette/Cobra (if I had a Corvette/Cobra ).

Also keep in mind that Giulia Supers have tight tire-wheelwell clearance at the rear. So, a wider tire that works on spiders and late GTV's may rub on a Super.

 

[Wayne]

Good point Jay.

I will swap the 185s back on to my Cobra tomorrow. If only.

 

[giulia1600gt]

I'm using "falken" ... very good!

 

[Velocess]

Coker-made 165-15 XZX Michelin on TZ style wheels. They work very well although I have not tested in the wet.

If I were to replace them I'd go with the ORIGINAL 155-15 size in either XZX or Vredestein.

 

[Anfanuts]

There is a lot of evidence that 195's will not fit in the rear wheel wells without flaring and offset fiddling.

I have 185/65/15 Yoki AVID ENVigor H's on Heinbrand/Compomotive TZ replicas on my Pino Verde and they feel plenty nimble and very well planted at 32F/28R. This is a spirited (2L/4.30 LSD) touring car and they are comfortable and drive very well. Well rated. TireRack. The PO's 60's were too small.

I have Vredestein 155/82/15 on stock 4 1/2" steelies on my very very original 65. Drove to and from the Alfa Convention from Austin and the Pre-Tour (3500 miles). They are comfortable. I have been warned that they can come lose when wet but that happens when dry also: they squeal and drift nicely around hard corners to which I am not accustomed.

My Blue Hollandase car has Euro 185/70/14 Gislaved Speed 606's on Turbinas. They drove very well wet or dry but are not available here. Not much in this size.

B

 

[fangio8c]

In answer to your questions, I mounted the 185/65/15 on the origianl steel wheels.

Wayne - Are your "original steel wheels" 4.5x15 or 5.5x15? I don't think a 185/65/15 will fit correctly on a 4.5" wheel.

Anybody here try Nexen or Nankang 165/80/15s??? These seem to be some of the only "modern tires" currently available in that size in the USA. In the rain, will these "modern tires" truly perform better than "classic tires" (Vredestein Sprint Classic and MIchelin XZX)???

 

[180OUT]

Mark, a 165 has a dia. larger than stock and will change your ride height, gear ratios, and speedometer readings. Also, IMHO, the extra with obtained with a 165 isn't worth the other compromises. The oem placement was 155x15 and was about 14.7in high. That should be your optimum tire height regardless of what you buy.

Verdestein makes a 155x15 that is avaliable here in the 'States. The "classic" tires are entirely modern designs despite the fact that they look like vintage tires. My Super's 165x14 Verdestein's work exceptionally well, I think.

The 4.5in steelies are a limitation. A viable alternative is to purchase the Classic Alfa TI Super 15in Campy replicas. These are 5.5 in wide and would allow you to use 185x65x15 tires which are a much better choice. You can purchase them with clips which will allow you to use your original hubcaps. The Campy replicas are very like the oem steel wheels and the differences will only be noticed by Alfa cognocenti which will, of course, increase your street 'cred.

 

[fangio8c]

Thank you Jim. My current 165R15 Michelin XZX are spot on when I compare my speedometer to those "Your Speed" radar signs on the highway. I'd be a little leery of going to a smaller contact patch than a 165. Also, I believe that my Super's ride height and suspension has been modified. The 165R15s fit just right but I doubt a taller tire would. I'll either bite the bullet and go with the Campy replicas + hubcaps + 185/65/15s or stick with my steelies and Vredestein Sprint Classics 165R15 as you suggested.

What is your opinion about Alfaholic's 7x15 GTA wheel? Maybe too wide for 185/65/15s???

 

[Anfanuts]

But. The clip-on wheels only work with the thin "knife-edged" early 65 S1 Super hubcaps or earlier (incorrect) Giulietta clip-on caps. The lug attached caps will not work with clip-ons and vice versa. Mark's car has the large ring Bertone clip-on hubcaps (from a GT or Berlina). Get TZ or GTA wheels and go cap-less!! Nice competition look. If you look at the tire charts (or do the math), you can get the correct outside tire diameter on any size tire when adjusting the profile, from 155 to 185 on a Super without fender flaring or offset fiddling (the profile ratio is multiplied by the tire size to get the sidewall height). Happy hunting!! B