Best snow tire size?

[Greg Galinsky]

Kurt W. Deschler wrote:
> There were actually multiple typos in my post. I'll throw in the prices
> and height here as well. Seems like the 205/65R15s may be too tall. Does
> the 185/65R15 (type was 185/60) have enough load handling capacity? The
> 16s are a great price but they are listed as M&S 91h (is that a good
> winter model). Seems like I should hold off and look for some 19/64R15s
> per Todd's suggestion.
> 	-Kurt
> 	'87 5kcstq
> 
> My car: 205/60R15 height = 123mm
> 185/65R15 $300 height = 120.25mm
> 205/65R15 $200 height = 133.25mm
> 205/55R16 $80 height = 112.75 + 12.7mm more rim = 125.45mm
> 
> On Thu, 18 Dec 2003, Greg Galinsky wrote:
> 
> 
>>Todd Young wrote:
>>
>>
>>>You would be better off with the 185/60R15 size.
>>>You want a narrow snow tire if possible to cut through the snow, not a
>>>wide tire that will "float" on top of the snow.
>>>
>>>At least that's what I was taught.
>>>
>>>Kurt W. Deschler wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>I am shopping for used Hakkas for my 87 5ktq. It normally has 250/60/15.
>>>>The options I have available right now are 205/65/15, 205/55/16, and
>>>>185/60/15. Anyone running these sizes? Please advise. Thanks.
>>>>
>>>>    -Kurt
>>>>    '87 5kcstq
>>>>    '88 vw gti 16v
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>The 185/60-15 is not going to have the load capacity for a 5k.  I
>>suspect that there may be a typo in that tire size also.  I've sold
>>Nokian Hakkas for 25 years and have never seen that size.  A Bridgestone
>>Blizzack is the only snow tire I know of in that size.  That size is
>>about right  for a Miata.   You are right in that you want a narrow
>>tire; and the first numbers in a tire size define the tread width of a tire.
>>
>>Greg Galinsky
>>G & G Service
>>
>>
>>
>>
> 
> 
> 
You have not mentioned what tread style any of the tires are.  A Hak Q 
or Hak 2 may outperform a Hak 1 or Hak 10 in most situations.  NRW or 
WR?   What kind of function are you expecting out of a tire?  I would 
try and find some 195/65-15 size for the car.  Normally I sell the WR to 
list people for $370 a set and Hak 2 for $386.

You make no mention of how much tread depth is on any of the used tires
that you are looking at.  That is a  big factor.  Also how old are they; 
in that once used on the road 4 or 5 years is the optimal lifespan with 
a very pliable rubber.  After that they harden and may not perform as well.

Greg Galinsky
G & G Service