CSBM5
Well-Known Member
FWIW, my former 1972 Bavaria (3102336), purchased new by my father, came with 175HR-14 XAS tires. As to the XVS, I recall that tire appearing much later in time, very late 1970s maybe.
Tire Opinions and Experience Requested
- Thread starter AustinOski
- Start date
I put the new XVS on my 74 2002 in 1976 or so, 185/70-13, great tires.
Correction. It does fit if you angle it under the center divider which cantilevers out a bit into the well. The tire is 25” vs my 24” 195.
Not mounted but fits under the trunk panel.
But once you have air in it it may not fit.
OK. So I am revisiting this topic only because I am looking for photos. My 1972 Bavaria supposedly came with 175/70R40 tires. Was wondering if Joey put those on his and if he would post a few picks with whatever tire he put on. I welcome any pictures with 17or 195. Keep getting mesmerized by Dick’s 205s.
CSBM5
Well-Known Member
The OE tires for the Bavaria were actually 175HR-14 (not 70 series). I used to think these were 80 series tires, but someone corrected me long ago that they were approximately 78 series since this was a time before tires were specified with the sidewall height; hence I would say the original tires are 175/78-14s. 
The diameter is 24.8" which calculates out perfectly with a 78 series specification. I think I might be able to help out with an original picture from the old days...let me look.
The diameter is 24.8" which calculates out perfectly with a 78 series specification. I think I might be able to help out with an original picture from the old days...let me look.
Yup. Dick set me straight but not in time before the post. Kinda reminds me of the computer who tennis shoes.
Hee's a 1970 2500. Most likely 175 14s.
CSBM5
Well-Known Member
Here's my Bavaria (well, bought it from my father in 1980 when he bought an E23) when it was near new still in 1972 with the 175HR-14 XAS tires showing:
Fredomatic
Well-Known Member
Coincidentally, I need new tires now. Fancy that. What are the odds while this thread is going on. Yesterday I had a legitimate blow-out on the highway. Nothing crazy or scary but man it was loud. I think my hair curled a little more. I never saw the offending object but it caused a 5/8" hole in the tire. It was the drivers rear tire so it shimmied a little but there were no issues controlling it downhill to the shoulder. Now I'm checking out new tires and I remembered that Mr. Steincamp made the the leap to 205/70/14 tires. Hmm. Hey Richard, how does that size tire feel on your e3? Any issues rubbing fender wells when turning into a dip or drive way? They look great I must say. How's the ride?
Wheels, tires, ride height and stance are purely personal choices. We all have valid reasons for the choices we make. I outlined the reasons for my choice of 205 70 14s in this thread in posts 16, 20, 22, and 31. The only objective things I can add now that the car is on the road is that my speedometer is dead nuts accurate to my GPS at all speeds and there is no issues rubbing fenders or suspension parts at any time.
I really don't have a good frame of reference for "feel" or "ride". If you get up this way Fred (or anybody else for that matter), you are welcome to take it for a drive to see what you think. The car has new KYB shocks and cartridges. The front suspension has been gone over and has new parts where warranted and is aligned properly. Stock ride height has not been altered. Wheels are stock steel wheels. Tires are Toyo all season touring tires. To me, the car drives like a BMW. Responsive handling, comfortable ride. I am sure there are other combinations of wheels, tires, ride height and stance that work better for other owners, however.
BTW, my one pet peeve on wheels, tires, ride height, stance, is using a tire with not enough sidewall to fill the wheel well at least as good as done by a stock tire. It's a little tough to get a low profile tire on cars made before low profile tires were produced to look "right" (to me) without lowering the car. Otherwise, the car (to me) looks like it's pants are too short and its socks are showing
. A stock 175 82 14 has a 5.6" sidewall (exactly the same as a 205 70 14). A 195 70 14 has a 5.4" sidewall so the tire is about 1/2" shorter. Probably not enough to make much of a visual difference. A 195 60 14, however has a 4.6" sidewall and is 2" shorter than the stock tire. To me, the car needs to be lower if that tire size is the choice in order to get rid of some of the air between the top of the tire and the fender lip.
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Not sure why some show twice. Only uploaded 4.
Something is wrong with me. I can just stare at these photos unaware of time. Another beautiful car. With great looking wheels.
With the comment on short sidewalls looking odd in mind, does anyone know of a reasonably priced "performance" tire in 205/70r14 size?
Closest thing I can find is 205/60r14 that's under $100/tire.
Closest thing I can find is 205/60r14 that's under $100/tire.
I think it is illegal to use those three terms in the same sentence
.The sidewall on a tire with a 70 aspect ratio is too tall for that tire to be considered a performance tire. The sidewall is going to flex too much which does improve the ride but at the expense of cornering ability. True "performance" tires these days have an aspect ratio of 40 or 35. My Bavaria came to me with 235/40ZR 18 on the front and 275/35ZR 18 on the back.
Not very attractive (to me), and plenty of work remaining to the ride height, suspension, body work and adding power in order to actually allow those tires to do their job.
The closest you are probably going to get are what AustinOski is running. Vredestein Sprint Classics. They are not under $100, They are still classified as a Grand Touring tire but they have a soft tread compound and are "stickier". They are summer only tires, however, and can't be used when temperatures approach freezing.
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So exploring 175/HR14 XAS as I feel those were the tires on my dads car that had the unique ride. In doing so, reached out to Coker Tire. They list 175hr14 XAS as needing tubes but having called them twice about these, they state these tires DO NOT NEED tubes- despite what is on their web site. Also, as the wheels are currently sporting 20 year old 205s, I would imagine if I did put in tubes I would have to put some "flaps" in the wheel to add tubes? Thoughts?