Tyres

[Oversize]

FYI going by the GVM (not the placard) the minimum load rating is 91 & the speed rating based on a 260kmh top speed is W or Y. In practical terms a speed rating of S (180kmh) is more than enough however your insurance may disagree

 

[Oversize]

Personally I’d prefer a higher speed rating than load rating, since you’re never likely to exceed the load.

Honestly, unless your tyre blows due to exceeding speed or load, then I’d challenge any denied insurance claim.

 

[Patrick_R]

205mm wide is fairly common but the 6.9 needs 215mm as a minimum. My preference would be 225/65R14. I just have to find a tyre which also suits minimum load & speed ratings according to the placard

Just be careful not to fit too wide a tyre to the rim, otherwise there may be too much flex in the sidewall that produces friction and heat.

 

[Oversize]

235 is still ok on a 6.5” rim however the rolling diameter is too small at 638mm vs the std 658mm (more than 15mm). So it seems the only choice is 215 or 225

 

[Patrick_R]

Speedos can be checked by tyre rotation/km. The tyre sites usually have this info as well.

 

[Oversize]

The 215/70R14 Michelins are now $850ea. Apparently made specifically for the 6.9

 

[Patrick_R]

What is so special about the 6.9 that requires specialised tyres Mark?

 

[Oversize]

What is so special about the 6.9 that requires specialised tyres Mark?

Speed & load rating, plus unique size. Of course you could replace the wheels with a larger diameter & more tyre choices. This option is likely to be cheaper too. Wider tyres will perform better if you stick with a quality brand. However the originality of the car will be affected, which will clearly affect resale. At the very least, keep the original wheels for a prospective new owner.

Bear in mind even 16” tyres are apparently becoming harder to find in the appropriate sizes.

 

[Patrick_R]

Thanks for clarifying this mate, understood.
Fun fact.
Australian trucks now have new 2025 ADR‘s about safety systems and stability control, so the government knows these systems are weighty, so we are now allowed to go to 7000kg (from 6500kg), on the 2 steer tyres tyres. (or front axle) To carry the extra weight, we now have to run 315 tyres on the steer, so nice and wide lol.

 

[c107]

The 215/70R14 Michelins are now $850ea. Apparently made specifically for the 6.9

I think there is a Ferrari that uses this size too?

 

[Patrick_R]

truck tyres are cheaper

 

[Oversize]

Here’s some more options after a recent Google search…

BTW Michelins are still $846 EACH!

 

[ProfessorExperimental]

Here’s some more options after a recent Google search…

BTW Michelins are still $846 EACH!

I researched this to death when I thought I was getting the Disco Panzer back on the road "imminently" and again when making what I thought was the final push with the ute (which takes the same size on the front). Blair's Tyres in Peakhurst apparently deal Kenda tyres, and they had a suitable offering in years past. This was the suggestion of a mate who's an ex ADR examiner and hotrodder, over all the BFGs and Mickey Thompson's the hot rod and muscle car crowd gravitate to.

The vitour/simmonds etc are reputedly all the same "your brand here" Chinese truck compound in old moulds that do so well in Ukraine on Russian jeeps that the orcs prefer to ride into battle on deliveroo scooters and babushka's bicycle.

If we could still get the Hankook Dynamic DA04 or whatever it is that came on my ute* I'd be happy, they were apparently alright. Coopers supposedly can still be found in hoarders' marketplace/gumtree listings, but all well past used by dates and apparently not much chop in period anyway.

Seems nankang are the best of what's left if kendas are gone, and that's what I settled on chasing when ready. But don't think you're getting Nankang's reportedly very good semi slicks for bmw/porsche track day bros in a classic car shape, they are more of a hangover from nankang's early days.

*RWL on one side only. Out for the Ford, in for the Benz lol