Tyre/wheel choice on 924 2.0L

[vincematthews]

Anyone with any experience of moving from 14" to 15" rims on a 4 stud 924 2.0L.
I have standard rims with 205/60 R14 Bridgestones on at the moment and am thinking of going to the optional 15" rims.
With the present setup the grip levels are fine but I don't like the tramlining or the heavy steering at parking speeds.

My options seem to be 195/65 R14 or 195/60 R15 to try and improve the dislikes - any comments?
Is there a noticeable difference changing rims with the same size tyres?
If I stay with 205/60 R14 (which are difficult to find) are the Falken ZE512 any good (given the low price)?

Anyone running with 185/70 R14 who reckons all this extra rubber isn't an improvement?

 

[924nutter]

Often incorrectly called turbo wheels because in the 'States early tubos had four bolt fixing, (but to be an anorak the turbo wheels had uniform silver spokes, not just a silver front face) the std tyre width of the optional Le Mans wheels is 205 as well, and 60% of 14, ie 205/60 x 14 would give a narrower tyre wall. You will find the acceleration blunted a bit by the 15s and probably on the limit the 14s would give better grip due to the inherently slightly stiffer tyre wall. I went from 195/60 x14 to 205/60 x15 and the difference is noticeable.

 

[danmason]

FWIW I have the standard wheels and have never experienced tramlining after 40k miles in the car. To be honest I can't remember what size(width) my tyres are right now, but will take a look.

Heavy steering at manoeuvring speeds used to be a problem for me, but after myriad 'adjustments' of various bits by me and others it cleared up a couple of years back and hasn't been a problem since.

 

[MdR]

How about THESE? (They're not mine.)

 

[vincematthews]

Thanks for the comments

I've acquired a set of 5 spoked 4 bolt wheels now and the bolts and wheels centres were thrown in too - so I'm pleased.
I'm going to touch up the lacquer in a few places before I start to use them but otherwise the rims are nearly as new.
Tyres were 205/60 R15 with 5000 to 10,000 miles left on them and even wear which is a bonus.

Do you know what the correct load rating for the tyres for a 1979 924 Lux is? - it isn't in the handbook or other references I've looked at.