5 GT Turbo Tire size recommendations, wheel sources?

[Centerpunch]

Hello from Cincinnati Ohio USA. Just bought my 3rd Turbo 2. (Bought a blue one new in 84, used as a daily driver for 5 years, then had a red one in the 90's for a few years, now just picked up a black one from the original owner!)

Anyway, I can't stand those TRX tires -- err tyres -- and ugly oem wheels, so I'm after new ones. What aftermarket wheels are available for our old cars these days? And what tires do you guys run, especially on the front?

Back in the 80's we used 195-50-15 and 225-50-15, but those rears are no longer available from anyone (at least in the US). So I'm considering 15" front and 16" rear, or even other sizes:

Front (OEM 21.7-21.9 diameter)

195-45-15 (22) on 15x7
only one tire available- Toyo T1R

195-40-16 (22.1) on 16x7
Only one tire available- Yokohama S-Drive

195-50-15 (22.7) on 15x7
many tires available

205-50-15 (23.1) on 15x7 (may be too tall)
many tires available

205-45-16 (23.2) on 16x7 (may be too tall)
many tires available

195-40-17 (23.2) on 17x7 (may be too tall)
Only one tire available- Yokohama S-Drive

Rear (OEM 23.9-24.3 diameter)

225-50-16 (24.9) on 16x8
many tires available

245-45-16 (24.6) on 16x8
a few tires available

235-40-17 (24.3) on 17x8
many tires available

I'd appreciate any thoughts!

Thanks

Paul

 

[DaveL485]

Worth mentioning that 225/50/15 seem to be readily available here in the UK, if thats any use? We could ship some to you.

 

[Centerpunch]

Yes, that is a possibility, thanks. I bought track tires from the UK when I had an Elise Sport 190 and it was kind of a pain with customs etc.

In any case need to spec wheels first.

 

[DaveL485]

it was kind of a pain with customs etc.

Maybe not stuffing the inside of the tyres with cocaine would help?

 

[Centerpunch]

Oh, so that's why they're called "Demon" Tweeks!

 

[Brigsy]

I would go for maxi replica wheels

http://www.comp.co.uk/gallery/index.asp?section=renault-gallery-304

 

[smart5]

I've heard people use 285/40 r15 on Gotti rims that are about 10 inch wide.....

 

[jamesc]

Hellotherewhycan'tItypespaceslikeJamesJoycehere

ahem, sorry

I use Minilites on mine....tyre sizes as below

Front 195/50/15 Yoko A539
Rear 220/50/15 Yoko A022

Great in the dry although not so great in the wet (or maybe that's the fault of the driver). You might want to adjust the pressures a little from what is stated in the manual - 1.5 bar front/2 bar rear - due to different tyre volumes. Some people do, some don't



Not to everyone's taste....but there you are. Brigsy's link above gives details of the wheels:

Front Wheel:
Size: 06 x 15
Wheel: ML1560
Rear Wheel:
Size: 09 x 15
Wheel: ML1590

DO you have a project thread/would love to see pictures of your car

 

[Centerpunch]

Wide 15" tires getting harder and harder to find, so I went with 16" rears.
I've ordered 7x15 and 9x16 Minilites, they should be done soon.
For tires, I went with Bridgestone RE11A 195-50-15 front (a discontinued size, but I found some, so bought 2 to use and 2 for spares), and RE11 245-45-16 rear.