14" Tires

What's everyone putting on their 14" wheels these days?

Have the Sumitomo's on the car and they have been fine, but they are now going on 8+ years old.

I cannot find the Sumitomo 205/70-14 tire anywhere. Only 205/70-14 tires I can find are a Khumo and BF Goodrich car/minivan tires and some other brands I've never heard of.

Any other suggestions in lieu of the $450/ea Coker/Michelin replacements?

 

Good reasonably priced 14" tires are getting harder and harder to find indeed. I have switched to larger wheels where possible when it became an issue. That said i only have this issue on cars where different wheels from the original are probably more accepted (including wheel style). Superformance has offered and probably still offers 308 style wheels in 16".

Do consider that the ride will be noticeably degraded, from less sidewall and higher weight. Challenge them on what the weight of the wheels with tires, it will be quite a bit heavier.

 

Vredestein Sprint Classics are fantastic and I think they look beautiful - they have a classy sidewall with a subtle linear raised pattern.

I love the 14" wheels - they complete the classic 308 look and driving experience. I bought these tires because I refused to pay Coker's ridiculous price for the XWXs, especially since I drive my car rather than show it. I like these better than the XWXs overall.

I paid under $200 each in 2009 from an independent dealer, now they are up to $275 (well I guess it's been 6-7 years now). I'm now due for replacement due to age!

https://www.universaltire.com/vredestein/205-70vr14-vredestein-sprint-classic-blackwall.html

Anthony

 

I have had Vredestein for a number of years now and I have been very happy with them on my GT4 (although I have been criticized off-line about my recommendation for these on 308's. I still consider them to be a viable choice, especially in an ever-decreasing 14" tire market).

 

What is basis for the criticism you have received? Just curious in case I am missing something concerning these tires.....

Thanks

 

MAXXIS Maxxis MA-P1 205/70 R14 95V

115,86 € each

ciao

Maxxis MA-P1 205/70 R14 95V - gommadiretto.it

 

Can't really beat the Michelin XWX's, they're worth every penny for that look!
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that looks to be a fantastic car, Mike!

ciao

 

Goodyear owns FULDA...they crank out a few CARAT ASSUROs every year, just for you and me!

V rated all that jazz, I am putting a fresh set on some repainted 14" wheels soon, and will post up the final "look"...

Thanks to all the posters for the responses, though...

 

Some of us are still upset about Indy.....

 

Given the weight and performance of the 308GTB of course, any modern "mini van" tire is actually fine.....

Pick any you like.....a 1977 "V" rating is totally different than the current performance scales....that's the real answer.

 

Where did you get them? Google seems to only show them in the UK/EU.

 

Interesting...you have a "desigo de pininfarina" badge on the passenger side.

 

Yes but he also have a steering wheel on the passenger side

 

oh, that makes sense.

 

Goodyear air freighted them all to me LOOSE, not palletized!!

I couldn't believe it......they looked like Zsa Zsa Gabor's luggage, so many travel tags.....

I have always wanted to get a quantity into the US, with the promise I could sell them all (posting here)...back then I was "pulling strings" based upon my charity karting and the fact they were in CART.

Both situations sadly, gone.

 

well that's not helpful at all...!!!

Looks like Doral Tires are actually re-branded Sumitomo's.

 

I am mounting them on the car and will see if the Houston warehouse can pull a product code, and reorder.

I think even my contact there, has retired...

Stu Grant is still the Racing Manager, last time I noticed.

 

As this thread is about 14" Tires, does anyone have or know where I can obtain (4) 14" 5 spoke wheels? Either Campagnolo, Cromodora, or other? Please PM me. Thanks

 

I have three sets.....


5 rims is a set, as you need the spare....

 

....
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Speedlines are quite rare, at 14"

Most of them were the 16" sets.

 

I am looking at the original 14" wheels that came on my 83 308 GTSi, and it appears that they don't have the dish inset that yours do. Is it possible that some of the 14" wheels had a lesser offset than yours?
I presently run a set of Paul Hayashi's wheels, at 16", but I would like to go back to the 14" wheels on XWX tires. Your wheels, therefore, are of interest to me.
Your information is appreciated.
Best,

TN

 

That, sir, looks the biz.
With my earlier post about different wheels I should have popped this question - show, drive, or performance?
I do have good experience with Vredestein. I have a regular tire series of them on two cars and think they make great tires and that's not just because the company is Dutch.

 

Ok, Tex. No bragging