Posted by David on April 20, 1999 at 06:20:28:
In Reply to: Michelin tires vs. Bridgestone tires posted by Dave on April 19, 1999 at 14:31:48:
You can go with a different size from the original 185/65-15, known as "plus 0". What you want to do is maintain as close as possible the original overall diameter (the hieght of the tire)here is what you are looking at:
185/65-15 = 24.46"
195/65-15 = 24.98"
195/60-15 = 24.22"
205/60-15 = 24.68"
the 195/65-15 is a bit to much taller than your OE tire. The most common plus 0 application for a 185/65-15 is 195/60-15. Although a 205/60-15 would also work better than the 195/65-15, you must also keep one other thing in mind when doing this- the wheel width. According to industry fitment guide you have 5.5" wide wheels, that width will accomodate both the 195 & 205/60-15, although optimal wheel width for the 205 is 6.0".
If there are no clearance problems - fender well/lip, strut ect., etc.(which there shouldn't be)I'd go with the 205/60-15. For one main reason. cosmeticly you will not be increasing the "gap" in the fender well between it and the top of the tire.
Between the Michelin & Bridgestone it really depends which model tire you are looking at in each brand, you have several to consider.
Depends entirely what your looking for in a tire - handling, ride quality, mileage, wet traction etc., etc..
In the Bridgestone I'd look at:
Eager
RE910
Turanza's
In the Michelins:
MXV4's (plus4, energy)
XGT's (several models)
Have a dealer that sells both lines compare & recomend.
Hope it helps.