Your opinion on tires.

[justin260z]

I need new tires, and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I am thinking of getting Falken Ziex ZE-512 in a 205 60 14 all around. Im looking for a good handling tire with reasonable treadwear.

[2003z]

they are good tires.

[Dtsnlvrs]

I would go with a 215/60/14 or a 225/60/14....the 205 is very short for a 14in tire.

[Arne]

I would go with a 215/60/14 or a 225/60/14....the 205 is very short for a 14in tire.

Agreed. I have 205/60-14 with a 3.54 rear end, too short geared for a 4 speed. If you don't like the choices in 215/60 or 225/60 (and many don't as the selection isn't very great), better to go with 15 or 16" wheels instead.

[BD240Z]

Here's a picture of my 280Z with 205-60-14's, the tires are Kelly Platinums. I'm satisfied with the ride, handling and the way it fills up the wheel-well. The springs on the car are stock/OE.

Neither Costco or Discount Tire would let me go oversized on the tires because of the liability issue.

Good luck with your decision.

[justin260z]

Well, I've always wanted Falken RT-615 and the only size in 14 is a 195/60. Does anybody have 195/60/14 on their car? My car is for mostly street driving, but I drift on weekends sometimes. I dont have enough money for an extra set of wheels and tires, so I want a good tire for both. Sport Compact Car said the RT-615 is the best street tire they have had yet.

[sblake01]

Well, if a 205/60 is too short..............

[justin260z]

I'm personally not a fan of taller tires. But I dont like to ride on rubber bands, so 195 60 seems like the middle.

[sblake01]

Well, I have 225/60s on my Z. They just look right to me. And for the overall performance of the car, unless you're going to change gearing or add a 5 speed, IMO (and others) a 195/60 is too short.

[zguitar71]

I just put on a set of 195/60/14 tires. They are small but if you like low gearing they are for you. I have an `83 5 speed and a 3.9 diff, with the short tires the gearing is the same as a 4.2:1 with tires 25" in diameter not 23.3". I can still hit 60 in 2nd gear but that is around 7500 rpm. 82 mph occures at 4000rpm in 5th. I like it but my motor is built for that type of gearing, if it was stock it would probably be too short.

BTW the transmission calculator so many of us use has never been close to what my car showing. It says I should be running 3500 rpm at 80 with my setup, pretty far off.

[2003z]

Well, I've always wanted Falken RT-615 and the only size in 14 is a 195/60. Does anybody have 195/60/14 on their car? My car is for mostly street driving, but I drift on weekends sometimes. I dont have enough money for an extra set of wheels and tires, so I want a good tire for both. Sport Compact Car said the RT-615 is the best street tire they have had yet.

I've got a set of those on 195/60-14s, although I have never used them on the car, it came with them as spares. I run the RT-615 in 205/50-15 though, which is about the same size, and now every other zcar with the correct size looks like they have tank tires on them.

[bpilati]

I just installed Yokohama Avid H4s 205/60/15 tires. They were very well rated for a high performance tire, however they are not an ultra-high performance tire. They have a 50,000 mile warranty, and a directional tread.