Hello:

Before I purchase a set a Michelin Symmetry's for my sedan, I want to make sure that their 65 side wall is OK to use, as opposed to a 70.

Thanks...
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crazy driving: Cincinnati, OH, 1993 244 Limited Ed. 'Classic' model (daily driver). 75,xxx miles. Mods: 'European' Cibie headlights, ipd sway bars, strut-to-firewall braces, Bosch (amber) fog lights, 80mm tach/52mm clock.

I had the Michelin Symmetry's on my wagon in the 195-75 size and they were terrific, even wear, good ride, Michelin holds air better than any other tire. When I purchased them the tire store didn't have the 75 series in stock so they convinced me to try 70 series. I did not like the ride and I didn't think they handled any better so they took them back and ordered the 75 series. Sadly Symmetry no longer comes in 195-75 so when I replaced them last month I purchased the Harmony series from Costco. You might want to check, I think Michelin has a $70 off sale going on. One thing about the lower profile tires is they are more prone to damage from pot holes and road hazards. The same quality that gives better handling means they can't flex as much. BMW adds a disclaimer with it's Sports Package about increased chance of damage and less wear for the 45 series but I would think the concept applies here.
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1988 245A. Past: 1979 245A; 1987 244 M47; 1971 164E

My understanding is that low profile tires can be more damage prone when they are part of a setup with larger diameter wheels and thus very low sidewalls. Sidewall height is essentially unchanged if you stay with 14" wheels and use any of the tire sizes we've been discussing. Those sizes all maintain the original outer diameter so sidewall height is constant, or nearly so. I don't think there's any increase in damage likelihood with 65-profile tires on a 240 if overall diameter is maintained.

If sidewall height is reduced then of course there's less room for the tire to compress to absorb road shocks and other hazards. This comes into play when you increase wheel diameter several inches up from stock and end up with 35-40-45-50 profile tires and VERY short sidewalls.

Doing so also makes the tire more susceptible to loss of air pressure. The amount of tire surface is reduced (less sidewall) which should REDUCE the amount of air leakage through the rubber somewhat. However the total volume of air in tire is reduced and so losing a specific quantity of air results in a higher percentage of air volume lost - so a bigger reduction in pressure when compared with a standard-volume tire.
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Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, expanded air dam, forward belly pan reaches oem belly pan, airbox heater upgraded, E-fan, 205/65-15 at 50 psi, IPD sways, no a/c-p/s belt, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors, aero front face, quad horns, tach, small clock.

Presently have 195/65-14 Yokahamas H4S on the 91 245SE.
Does corners well, rides nice.
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84 242Ti IPD bars&springs, 89 745 16v M46 IPD bars, 89 744 16v M46 IPD bars, 93 945 Turbo AW71, 91 245SE AW70 IPD bars, 93 245 CLassic M47

Overall size and load rating are more important than aspect ratio alone.

Normal size for the 244 is 185/70-14, which typically has a load range of 87.

If you go to a 185/65-14, two things happen. First, the load rating for that size is typically 86, which is moving in the wrong direction. Next, that will create about a 3% speedo/odo error, but it will be on the "safe" side - your indicated speed will be higher than your true speed.

195/65-14 is a better replacement size. Load range is 88, and the speedo error is closer to 1%.

What tire size are you considering?

Interesting. Thank you.

I was considering 185 65 14, but will look into 195's.

--PM
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crazy driving: Cincinnati, OH, 1993 244 Limited Ed. 'Classic' model (daily driver). 75,xxx miles. Mods: 'European' Cibie headlights, ipd sway bars, strut-to-firewall braces, Bosch (amber) fog lights, 80mm tach/52mm clock.

Michelin Harmony comes in that size
Dan

I don't think you'll find 195/65-14 in the Michelin Symmetry... pick another tire, don't go undersized.

FWIW, I had great performance and over 40K miles from Yokohama Avid T4s when I ran 14" wheels. I have to confess I've never been fond of Michelins.

The Michelin site shows the Symmetry as being available in 185/70-14 size.

Here's the link - paste into your browser window.
http://www.michelinman.com/tires/passenger-car-minivan/symmetry/#sizes-and-specifications

Now as to where to find it, that's another story. Get another brand if you can't find Symmetry.

It's true that 195/65-14 will be a very close approximation for the sedan's stock 185/70-14 for both load capacity and outer diameter. We've been using 195-width tires on our 240 wagons for years; we found no issues with handling or compatibility with the stock rims (our wagons needed 195/75-14, different from the sedan size).
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Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, expanded air dam, forward belly pan reaches oem belly pan, airbox heater upgraded, E-fan, 205/65-15 at 50 psi, IPD sways, no a/c-p/s belt, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors, aero front face, quad horns, tach, small clock.