In all honesty searching online in aus for stock Is a waste of time.
You need to work out wheel offset and tyre profiles.
I found some lower profile tyres actually have actually larger side wall that may foul on the pearch. It differers from brand to brand of tyres actually and their cconstruction

Don't tale this site as gospel but it helps


http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php? ... h2=6.5&offset2=30#content

I just recently bought some 175/50/13 Yokohamas for about $170 each. They're a bit more expensive, but they're a better tyre. Minisport still stocks a few options for 12" and 13"

http://minisport.com.au/magsawheelsatyres-accessories

Guys I found that most places that I would ring up saying they have it in 'stock' actually wouldnt. A quick google search gave me the same results, 'in stock' but not actually in stock for last few years.

I had a mechanic mate of mine from brisbane try chase me 175/60r13s and come up with 3 different brands. Maxxis $78 ea, Achilles $88 ea and Nankangs $105 ea.

I ended up choosing Achilles. But when my mate went to order them they said they have none left and they are discontinued. So i went with Nankangs but then same thing happened, none in stock. Then i went with the Maxxis ones but long story short I ended up having to pay $108 each instead of $78!

Not just that, I wanted 5 but they only had 4!

Maybe just my bad luck but i know that lower profiles for 13s are running thin.

I had no problems get 205/80 (or something close like that)

But that looked like I was ready to go offroad


Matt

Maybe 13x10s for the rear
13x8.5s for the front ........ :p

They're 2 different looks, just pick which one your after.

The stock look of the 12's, or the slightly modified look of the 13's.

In my opinion, if it's stock looking, keep it stock, and if you're after the modified look, modify it. If it were me, I'd be finding some nice period alloys and sticking on 13's, that way you've also got some room for any future brake upgrades too.

Oh boy oh boy oh boy.

Thanks for that link to the quality 12's... Hmm, maybe my mind is swinging back yet again!

Ive taken a look at the current wheels on it. They're 175/70/13's. Theback is fine but the front rubber is LESS THAN 2mm from the front struts.

I'm uneasy with that, despite the fact that the car has been like that since 1998. Anyone else had problems with this size tyre getting too close to the front struts? Maybe the + offset on my current wheels is too much.

OK, so here's my options now.

1.) Keep the existing rims and put 165/65/13's on them (if they will fit) OR
2.) Take it back to stock 12's and take the link above to get some good rubber for them.

What would you do?

Thanks for the suggestions so far all..

ZM

12s are easy to find too. Just use Google. Yes, there are more variety of 13s currently available. But 13s have limited choice too compared to 15s. Its all a matter of degree.

12s from big brands like Yokohama and Dunlop can be purchased new. Even performance 12s http://www.google.com/search?q=165%2F70R12+site%3Aau

185 60 13
175 70 13
165 65 13
all pretty easy to find. 2nd hand is ok too. In my experience modern 2nd hand tyres better than the stickies were new.
Stick with brands you know if possible.

Sorry, yes there are definately still plenty of 13s but I had trouble finding a lower profile to suit my 13x8 starsharks and with lowering I need to clear guards etc.

Thats all I meant with the 13s, specific sizes may be difficult but considering your going for an original look you won't have any problems finding something for a 13x6 rim.

My tires are 175/60. But I'm going for a slightly stretched look :)

Good luck :)

Quote:

Good advice - thanks. Checked with two tyre places today - 12's are hard to find nowadays it seems and the brand choice is limited to obscure unknowns. 13's however are no problem, Pirelli and Yokohamas available off the shelf.

So after starting looking for 13's then thinking 12's, now I'm back to 13's again. I've bid on a set on Ebay in Vic..

ZM