[AaronsSpider]

Hello all, I never thought I would be asking this simple question...but I am having some issues finding some new tires for my spider.
A few days ago I ran over a nail and the time for some new tires has come. I was planning to put a set on in January, but here we are LOL!

I currently have Sumitomo 195/60 R14 A/S on my car. Which are discontinued....
I thought ok, well ill look at Pirelli. But. No A/S 195/60's out there.

Ive seen a couple good reviews here on the BB for Falken tires, so far that is the only option I see readily available online.
My tire shop that I usually use only has a brand called "ironman" that fit my rims, it was a cheaper tire around $70 per tire. I have never heard of this brand and found nothing here on the BB about it.

Should I stick with 195 or should I move up to 205 or drop to 185?

Any and all recommendations would be helpful.

 

[vintagemilano]

I have verdestien sportrac5 in 195,65,14 on my 6x14’s and I am very happy with them.

 

[BMX]

Try Pirelli CN36 185/70/14's, yes I know they are expensive (as everyone keeps reminding me) but they really are worth it and Longstone will send them to you free of postage, they will bring a feel to the steering and handling that moderns can't hope to emulate, excellent grip too and nice and progressive, steering is lighter (than moderns0 at parking speeds too. I had moderns on my S2 for years so have first hand experience of both types and I would never go back.

 

[SpyderWeb]

Hello all, I never thought I would be asking this simple question...but I am having some issues finding some new tires for my spider.
A few days ago I ran over a nail and the time for some new tires has come. I was planning to put a set on in January, but here we are LOL!

I currently have Sumitomo 195/60 R14 A/S on my car. Which are discontinued....
I thought ok, well ill look at Pirelli. But. No A/S 195/60's out there.

Ive seen a couple good reviews here on the BB for Falken tires, so far that is the only option I see readily available online.
My tire shop that I usually use only has a brand called "ironman" that fit my rims, it was a cheaper tire around $70 per tire. I have never heard of this brand and found nothing here on the BB about it.

Should I stick with 195 or should I move up to 205 or drop to 185?

Any and all recommendations would be helpful.

Greetings Aaron,

I just purchased and installed five Toyo Extensa A/S II 185/70R14 tires. Budget friendly and decent tread pattern. Paid a hair over $300 for five tires, and shipping was free (yes, fifth tire went on the spare). 😁

 

[71GTV1750]

I agree with BMX. I have the same tires on my GTV. IMHO the handling improved tremendously. However, I did go from 15” wheels to 14” wheels. Tire’s came from Lucas Classic Tires in CA.

 

[AaronsSpider]

Okay, thank you all for your suggestions.
The Toyo were my first choice, I run those on my Honda but I could not track those down...
Ended up with Hankook 195/60 14

 

[BMX]

Okay, thank you all for your suggestions.
The Toyo were my first choice, I run those on my Honda but I could not track those down...
Ended up with Hankook 195/60 14

Can I ask why you didn't go for the CN36's , was it just the price or something else, I'm just curious and am on a mission to covert owners to their benefits - thanks

 

[yvesmontreal]

For anybody still shopping for tires in the US, Tire Rack now carries some Vredestein tires including the Sportrac 5 in both 185/70R14 and 195/65R14. Unfortunately their free shipping policy does not extend to Canada, it makes importing a set almost as expensive as getting a set of CN36s from Longstone.

Maybe next Spring I'll be able to go pick them up across the border...

 

[AaronsSpider]

This time my reason for choosing was based more so on price, im sure the tires are great.

 

[DPeterson3]

“The pain of poor quality lasts far longer than the pleasure of low price”

“Quality”, of course, is something of a subjective term.

I have the CN36s on my S2. They have utterly reversed my low opinion of 115 Spiders. When one adds up the per-year additional cost over the tires’ life, I reckon it comes to about $12.78 per year.

CN36. Don’t drive without them.

 

[BMX]

This time my reason for choosing was based more so on price, im sure the tires are great.

Fair enough, I took a long time to decide because I wasn't convinced of the benefits and paying double for tyres smarts a bit but then I thought I spend a small fortune on my Spider anyway (not essential stuff either) what's a few more Euro?.....

 

[Andrew]

I had those Vred SportTracs on my Super and never warmed up to them. It always seemed like they resisting turning off center; that is, they liked where they were pointed and gave resistance to turn from it. I can't believe they're supposed to be like that but it seemed to be the case. Put some other tires on and was much happier. I did have enough air in them, so I don't know what the story was.
Andrew

 

[autobroker]

I've had great luck with Vredstein Quadtrac tires on my 1971 Spider on BWA's. Much more compliant feel (not hard like the other tires I've used) and the car feels great in the corners. I can feel the tires roll a little, which I think the suspension was designed to do. 185/70/14's

I haven't purchased any tires for my cars yet - I'm rolling on the rubber that was on the car when I bought it.

Oh yeah, my 1973 has 195/60/14's on BWA's. To me, they ride a little hard. They're some off brand HR rated tires - they grip well, but they don't let the suspension work like the Vredsteins do.