need to pick new tires

Arde

Arde

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More downfall from Legends, now it turns out that my tires are no longer round and I get a vibration above 75mph. Eight year old Pirellis. Replacing unworn tires is as frustrating as running out of croutons when you still have plenty of fondue cheese...

So, I need a decent brand for 195 70 14. Open to 205 in the rear if somebody explains the benefit.

The shop only has Dunlops in the 195 size.

Please advise.
 
Dunlops

14 inch tires are getting scarce

Coker tires has period correct Michelins and Vredesteins but $$$$

https://www.cokertire.com/catalogsearch/advanced/result/?size_section_width[]=374&size_sidewall_aspect_ratio[]=387&tire_rim_diameter[]=114&sidewall_style[]=99&tire_build[]=10762

Tirerack has some Kumhos and Michelin Defenders, which don't look correct.

I found some Dunlops for my old Alfa and they work well and look the part. Nice steering feel. Not really high performance by today's standards.

But they are also getting scarce. Can't find them online now, so if your local shop has some ata good price then they might be the ones
 
Th ePO of Athena put on Pirrelli P4s. Not sure where they were sourced. On my 16" BBS RSs I'm running Kumhos.
 
Arde said:
I read it before but the thread has no actionable advice, just discussion.

I think I will go for the Michellins, I think I already put the son of Mr. Michellin through college especially with the M5 run flats.
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I am looking seriously at the BF Goodrich as I want 225 x 60 x 14 for my Alpina wheels. I am told that Goodrich now owned by Michelin just uses the last Michelin model style on the Goodrich tires. Mount the raised white letters on the inside,

also a lot of choices at Tire rack. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...h=255/&rearRatio=40&rearDiameter=17&zip-code=
 
Was researching tires recently found a set of Pirrelli P4s; I mention this because it appears that this tire went out of production three years ago, and the tires on offer are new old stock.

Its already complicated to find decent tires, but the task becomes more difficult when we have to look into how long the tires have been sitting on a shelf somewhere before we buy them. That said, its better to be cautious given that I likely will need to change my next set of tires because of the age of the compounds and not because of mileage.
 
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HB Chris said:
We will put the Michelin Defender on the 2800, I have seen them on other e3 and they don't look bad.
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About a year ago I needed tires for our '72 Bavaria. I found a good selection of 195-14 through America's Tire which is part of Discount Tire.

Michelin Defenders were the most expensive but had the best ratings and the total cost was just over $500 as I recall for everything. So a year later I feel I made the best choice as I wanted to retain the original wheel and overall look.
 
Tired of tires, there is a conspiracy against us operating classics. When I catch a conspirator I may slash his tires.

Put the Michellin Defenders and the ride is smooth all the way to the speeds that the old tires were vibrating. However the tech complained that in two of the rims the valve stem was not staying in place. I used the spare tire rim for one, and for the other he warned me not to push the stem (like when checking pressure) else the stem may go in and I will lose all air.

Never heard something like that and Don either. I guess they are using a stem that does not please the stock rims. Any ideas? Where can I get the appropriate stem?

Chris was right, the look is fine, and I like the tread as well.
 

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Arde said:
Tired of tires, there is a conspiracy against us operating classics. When I catch a conspirator I may slash his tires.

Put the Michellin Defenders and the ride is smooth all the way to the speeds that the old tires were vibrating. However the tech complained that in two of the rims the valve stem was not staying in place. I used the spare tire rim for one, and for the other he warned me not to push the stem (like when checking pressure) else the stem may go in and I will lose all air.

Never heard something like that and Don either. I guess they are using a stem that does not please the stock rims. Any ideas? Where can I get the appropriate stem?

Chris was right, the look is fine, and I like the tread as well.
Click to expand...

Valve stem issue is easily solved. Use a metal valve stem which is threaded in place with two gaskets. I use these on all my vehicles. I purchase my tires at America's Tire. They always have them in stock and install at a small added cost. BTW they are better looking as well.
 
Lotuss7 said:
Valve stem issue is easily solved. Use a metal valve stem which is threaded in place with two gaskets. I use these on all my vehicles. I purchase my tires at America's Tire. They always have them in stock and install at a small added cost. BTW they are better looking as well.
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+1
costed me 5 euro each eight years ago, but they work perfectly, and i was even able to move them from my stock wheels to the alpinas
 
Just to chime in, I put BF Goodrich 225's on my 14 x 7 Alpinas and they look too wide/fat in the front. Look perfect in the rear. A pair of 205s would look better on the front. May get the 205s for the front and leave the rears alone although I'm not sure if wider rear tires are an issue....
 
What metal valve and where can I get it?
The one at Americas Tire is too short.
 
leonine99 said:
Just to chime in, I put BF Goodrich 225's on my 14 x 7 Alpinas and they look too wide/fat in the front. Look perfect in the rear. A pair of 205s would look better on the front. May get the 205s for the front and leave the rears alone although I'm not sure if wider rear tires are an issue....
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Please send pictures as I am considering the same tires.
Pm sent
 
Arde said:
What metal valve and where can I get it?
The one at Americas Tire is too short.
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Arde,

I would think America's tire would be able to source metal stems for your rim. Probably just need to find the right person there to answer the question.


If not try Summit Racing or similar parts houses. They have many to choose from.

I probably missed this in the thread but what rims have you mounted the tire to?
 
bfeng said:
BMW dealer??
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I can try the dealer, I need to measure the stem hole diameter. Summit has some options if I just knew what I needed. America's Tires blamed my rims implying the stem hole got too big and the valve stem no longer stays in place. I am using the stock 14 inch rims and I can swear that the valve holes do not grow bigger over time.

Somehow I do not feel like walking into the dealer with a rim on my shoulder any more than walking into Target with a toilet on my shoulder to buy toilet paper.
 
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