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Metric tires on 308 GTBI

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Martin8, Sep 2, 2008.

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  1. Martin8

    Martin8 Rookie

    Sep 26, 2007
    19
    St. Charles, IL
    Full Name:
    Marty Davis
    #1 Martin8, Sep 2, 2008
    I just found out this morning that they no longer make my Michelin metric tires, 220/55VR390 for my 1982 GTBI. The car has the original tires so it will sit until I find out my next step. 26 year old rubber makes me nervous even with only 14,000 miles on car. I have checked Coker Tire and my size is available only from them for $417.00 each. I believe they own the tire molds now so they should be new. If my math is correct 390 MM is aproxamatly 15.30 inches so buying new 16" wheels and getting a standard tire does not give me a much better look like going from 14" to 16" does. Would 17" wheels work on my old 308 or am I going to far out? How old can these new tires be? Age is a consideration right? So is my thinking right to stay with what I have and go with original tires from Coker Tire and just check to make sure they are newish? Thanks
     
  2. mini_ferrari

    mini_ferrari Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2004
    1,004
    Chattanooga, TN
    Full Name:
    Jerry Preisel
    #2 mini_ferrari, Sep 2, 2008
    Martin... Michelin still owns the molds and produces the tires in France. The FChat price for those tires are $371.13ea.

    Jerry
     
  3. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 3, 2002
    6,638
    Toronto / SoCal
    Full Name:
    Rob C.
    #3 Nuvolari, Sep 2, 2008
    Unless you are a total purist, ditch the metric wheels and go with the 16" wheels. There are dozens of threads on the subject and a simple search will yield all the answers you need. The huge price for metric tires (ONLY available from Coker; any reseller gets them from Coker BTW) is best reserved for the concours point hunter rather than the driving enthusiast. The price of 4 tires will buy you 16" Superformance repro wheels AND tires likely with some money to spare. Save your wheels for the concours field and upgrade for the street. As for 17's or even 18's I would recommend against it. While they do fit, the greatly increased weight and often incorrect offset is a sure fire way of degrading the handling rather than improving it.
     
  4. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,386
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    #4 BigTex, Sep 2, 2008
    16" was a later wheel fitment for the 308......
     
  5. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,045
    USA
    #5 f355spider, Sep 2, 2008
    I'm with Rob, although the initial cost for repo 16" wheels with tires will cost more than just new metric tires, but will pay off when you get the next set of tires. Go 16", ditch the metric stuff. The 16" wheels indeed do look better, the styling is improved slightly. Compare, you'll see.
     

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