Ultra low profiles for free?

["C.M. Smith" <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

 I have to caution against taking advantage of the infinite handling these
newest rice burner specials promise,it's purely illusory. Even at the low
low price they are NOT good value. The 00 profiles give great grip, but
only for a nano second. The mounting and balancing will eat you alive. By
the time you've paid for mounting and balancing, the poor tread life just
isn't worth it. Frankly, the lowest profile that works on an ALFA, is a
199500/.001x26, which fills the wheel well nicely, gives a good compromise
between ride comfort/tread life/cost etc, doesn't look too silly, and lasts
on average about two and a half minutes, if you avoid excessive wheelspin.

BTW, don't even dream of trying these on  a 164, the stock suspension
settings involve so much negative camber you'll be riding the rims in the
straight ahead position. This rim/tire/wheel combo (yes, to permit mounting
these puppies the performance wheel manufacturers have had to return to
multiple piece wheels, not only are the rims separate from the hubs, so are
the air valves, the spokes, and the tires themselves come in four easy to
glue sections to permit mounting on the multi piece rims) makes the jacking
problem of the old Corvair just a drive in the park.


Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
91 Alfa 164L, White, original owner 

------------------------------