13" Tires What are You running?

[Cruz]

Just had to replace a set of Federal 595 SS in a 185/60r13 no longer available. Didn't want to buy the readily available Kuhmo Solus in a 185/70r13 due to All Season catagory(need something sporty). So I'm taking a shot in the dark with a set of Petlas Velox Sport PT711 in a 185/60r13 @ $79 each.

R888r's will be for next summer.

What is everyone else rolling on with the 13" wheels?

[tbeach54]

205/60-13 BFG TA Radials. Look great and stick like glue. No clearance issues with stock suspension.
Cheers!
Tom

[Rushfan1]

Toyo Extensa All Seasons, 185/70/13.

[Cruz]

This sounds like the hot setup to get me through a Socal winter.

How hard do you drive your e21 when you say it sticks like glue? I'll be done with my new set of tires within two months. I'll have to try the BFG's.

I like how no one bothers to look at e21 small tires, until you give them a reason to wonder how the hell is this car going around corners so well...

[goinstrong]

Raised white lettering looks great too!! I put them on my 1984 Mazda RX-7!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tbeach54]

Let's just say that going around corners in our area, the rear end has not lost grip yet...... Lot's of twisty two laners in the region.
T

[hdx]

I have run the bfgs years ago. They are were a hard compound. The S speed rating is a little low for me . I like at the least H speed rating .

Nice to see they are making 205 60 13 tires .

I am on a old set of federal tires 595 I have been nursing . Was going to get a set of toyo tires .

[Cruz]

hdx,

Let me know your thoughts on the Toyo's if you get them. The 595's had a fun slip angle to them that entertained people observing the e21 at speed.

Also, I still have one of your fiberglass hoods from about 15 years ago. Not a single crack on it through out all these years. Top notch craftsmanship, sir.

Thanks, for the feedback everyone. My next set of tires will be the BFG.

[mjweimer]

I have also seen a 205/60/13 Firestone Firehawk 900 available recently. It is a "summer" tire with a H rating and what looks like a decent tread pattern for good wet and dry traction. There is also a Yokohama Advan HF A008S available overseas that is a re-boot of one of the best performance tires of the late 80's. Unfortunately not easily sourced in the US but might be possible if you find the right seller.

I appreciate this discussion, been thinking of switching back to 13's from my current 15's and would prefer to go with something more sporting than all-season.

[320iAman]

I'm running Barum Brillantis 2 185 /70R 13 86T SL BSW

A few 205/60r 13 available by search--amazon

BF Goodrich Radial T/A All Season Car Tire, $115 ea

Bearway Green Power S1 Summer Touring Radial , $65 ea,, yes $65 ea not a misprint.

Toyo Tires Proxes R8R, $186 ea

Toyo Tires Proxes RR, $220 ea

Toyo Proxes RA-1 Performance Radial Tire, $194 ea

Bearway details

71QGhSKMhaL._AC_SL1387_.jpg

Bearway Green Power S1 Summer Touring Radial

Product Description

Attention! Due to the size of the tires, Packages might be SEPARATED in the courier facility and not be DELIVERED on the SAME DAY, even though we do ship them together. All tracking information can be checked on courier's website.

Bearway Green Power S1

The Bearway Green Power S1 is a touring, summer tire manufactured for passenger vehicles. It has highway terrain, light truck sizes as well. Better summer weather traction is guaranteed with this model as it uses the heat-resistant compound and ribbed tread design. Hydroplaning is avoided as grooves channel water away from the footprint. The ribbed footprint’s consistent surface contact significantly boosts steering responsiveness and driving stability. The cornering ability is enhanced with the shoulder block placement’s biting edges. The Green Power S1 decreases its braking distance by generating friction at the moment of braking.

Features

Summer Tire – The summer compound and ribbed block placement offer better dry and wet traction and actively prevent hydroplaning.
Handling – The ribbed pattern’s surface contact upgrades the steering responsiveness and driving stability, offering safer controllability.
Maneuvering – The angled lateral grooves and stable shoulder pattern enhance the tire’s traction, optimizing its cornering and braking ability.


Randy

[mjweimer]

I have some good experiences with Barum tires on E30's - they are a Continental subsidiary and seem to be well made with good driving characteristics.

The Firehawk 900's in the 205/60r13 are $89.71 from Priority Tire just for a data point. Not too bad for a performance tire from a major manufacturer.

[DavidF]

Kumho Solus TA11…they are scary in the wet, ok in the dry

[320iAman]

I have some good experiences with Barum tires on E30's - they are a Continental subsidiary and seem to be well made with good driving characteristics.

The Firehawk 900's in the 205/60r13 are $89.71 from Priority Tire just for a data point. Not too bad for a performance tire from a major manufacturer.

Yes, I have been running the Barum's for years they hold up well.


Randy

[Thecatmilton]

I was running the Kumho Solus 185/70/13s with no complaints. I eventually got 15" wheels for better tire selection.

[Cruz]

I also have a set of 15's but call me crazy for preferring to drive on 13" tires. I believe that smaller wheels/tires makes us become better drivers.

[cgifool]

I like the 13" wheels and tires because I'm an "all stock" guy. As cool as v8 e21's are, I prefer the vintage experience.

Also, I noticed on my friend's e21 with 15" wheels, the steering is a lot heavier.

David

[mjweimer]

I was running the Kumho Solus 185/70/13s with no complaints. I eventually got 15" wheels for better tire selection.

Same here, at the time I needed tires, there was not much available for the 13's, especially in the 185/70 and only track tires in the 205/60. There seems to be a much better selection at the moment.

I also have a set of 15's but call me crazy for preferring to drive on 13" tires. I believe that smaller wheels/tires makes us become better drivers.

I like the 13" wheels and tires because I'm an "all stock" guy. As cool as v8 e21's are, I prefer the vintage experience.

Also, I noticed on my friend's e21 with 15" wheels, the steering is a lot heavier.

There is something more natural to the feel of the E21 on 13's and I think I prefer them now that I have experienced the 15's. 100% the 15's have a much heavier steering feel, not sure if it is the wider section width or the different offset but for sure it weights the steering differently.

I don't think the 13's look bad at all but I really like period correct upgrades and 15's were the hot ticket upgrade back when these cars were young.

I'd really like to find a set of the 13x6 Mahle - BBS style wheels for both a period upgrade and a 13 inch wheel...someday it might happen but they are getting harder to find in even restorable condition.

[82Kashmir]

Toyo Extensa AS on Turbines its my DD.

[Clio320i]

We have Toyo Eclipse 185/70 on the 13" baskets. We took that set to Pacific Raceways to do HPDE class last summer and I had to drift around turn 3A which is a downhill hairpin but you know, that was fun. I honestly think the limiting factor for me that day wasn't the tires but rather that we had the rear shocks one notch too high.

Then we scored a set of 14" Alpina repros with a set of Ohtsu FP7000 195/60 which are H speed rated, not that this car could ever get to 130mph. Great tires should you get lucky and find 14s.

[Cruz]

Tire Rack has these in stock now:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes

I've always been a fan of all Michelin Pilot Tires series.

[mxl556]

I am on Kumho Solus and they are good.

185/60 Michelins look good but aren't they too small? Also not sure what that "electric vehicle tuned" business is about...

[msiert]

Actually I have run 13” Kumho Solus for years but I switch to the Westlake brand from Walmart and I like them. They are not as hard as the Kumho’s and have a better rating for dry, rain and snow, less expensive too.

[RickD1147]

Ran the M pilots on my Cayman, much larger contact point and peels off rubber fast but stick like contact cement when warmed.