tyre availability for 165/70 r14

[pbhawkin]

Hi,
What do people use for the above size?
Local tyre shop says Pirelli and Michelin (both my first choice) are not available, neither is Toyo but Kumho Ecowing ES is (for $200 each!).
I currently have Michelin "Energy XM1+" 195/70/R14 on it but they are dated 2009. I worry about the size being too large for the steering box but that is only from what I have read. If there is no need to change them then I won't, but there seems to be a consensus that the original sized tyres handle better than the wider ones do.

thoughts or suggestions?

regards
Peter

[Craig_m67]

Have Longstone tyres in the UK ship you some.

[rowan_bris]

classic alfa appear to have 165hr14 michelins xas available

[MarkEd]

Bought my 165 x 15 XAS from Stuckey Tyre service in Melbourne. Should also have them in 14". Good to deal with and less hassle than organising your own overseas shipment. Mark

[vinsharp]

I had the same 'modern' Michelin Energy 185s come fitted on a 1750 I bought a couple of years ago. It felt a bit heavy and sluggishly stiff in turning response, and parking quite heavy. I opted for Michelin XAS 175R14s and the car was transformed to light, agile, quieter and very period feeling. The new evolution tread compound is also very good in the wet: something that the XAS of 50 years ago were not renowned for. Highly recommended.
Try Stuckeys for a total price fitted and check O/seas suppliers for a comparable option, then add local fitting cost.

[pbhawkin]

just to complete this thread, I did get 4 tyres (that is all they had) from Stuckeys in Melbourne and now fitted. I went with the Pirelli Cinturato CA67 165/80. I need to chase the fifth tyre now.
Same side wall profile as the 195/70 but 30mm narrower.
When the old 195/70 were removed it was obvious that they had been rubbing on both the upper Control Arms down to bare metal!  Unfortunately, I didn't get to see what the inside of the tyres looked like. I suspect that the turning circle stops had not been adjusted when they were fitted some time in the past to allow for the wider tyre! The new ones clear the control arm by about 15mm.

[pasey25]

Antique tyres have just received some stock of another classic replica brand, which I have purchased and now cannot remember then name of. $165 fitted per corner.