Tire size recommendations

Matt at MWB recommended 14 inch rims with 185/55 R14 yokohama tires. lowered 1 inch for a good stance. So that what I did on my 1982 X1/9
Alskin, I have the same set-up on my '78 (Federals instead of Yoko's). And your car's stance seems spot-on!

I agree with Matt (MWB), this is plenty of upgrade over the original without compromising performance. It is possible to put too much rubber on these little cars. They were set up with small brakes, low power, and high-profile, skinny little pizza cutters as part of the formula for driving fun. Unless you are adding more power and/or suspension mods, you stand a chance of effecting overall performance going north of a 185/195. My $.02

Yours truly,
Captain Obvious
 
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Thinking of Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2.
Now, it comes in three sizes, 175/65R13 80T, 185/60R13 80H and 195/55R13 80V, the circumfence is nearly the same for all of them and with the original 165/70R13
What size would you recommend.
 
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Thinking of Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2.
Now, it comes in three sizes, 175/65R13 80T, 185/60R13 80H and 195/55R13 80V, the circumfence is nearly the same for all of them and with the original 165/70R13
What size would you recommend.
The 175/65 and 165/70 are nearly the same diameter (the 165 is 2mm taller), the 185 is 10mm shorter and the 195/55 is 15mm shorter. This is a fast tool to see the effect of different tire sizes: https://tiresize.com/comparison/

I would go with the 175/65 13 to avoid having a lot of bent sidewall on narrow rims. If you have wider rims and can use a bit more low end grunt versus highway low revs then I would go with the 185s.
 
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Thinking of Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2.
Now, it comes in three sizes, 175/65R13 80T, 185/60R13 80H and 195/55R13 80V, the circumfence is nearly the same for all of them and with the original 165/70R13
What size would you recommend.
I like the 185 60's. One key note (I think I was the first to order here): They are made in Russia. Who knows given world events if there will a be a supply chain issue.
 
****, however that would not affect the current stock, and I guess that Michelin will move production
 
Speaking of 13" tires, aren't there still parts of the world where new cars come with 13" wheels? I'm thinking some of the third world countries where the economy dictates very affordable transportation, so they make "new" cars based on very old designs from other manufacturers that have given up their rights to them. If that is still the case then there should be a large supply of new 13" tires available, particularly in "stock" sizes. While I'm sure the quality would not be great, the price should be very attractive.
 
Thinking of Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2.
Now, it comes in three sizes, 175/65R13 80T, 185/60R13 80H and 195/55R13 80V, the circumfence is nearly the same for all of them and with the original 165/70R13
What size would you recommend.
I'd put in a vote for the H and V rated sizes you listed, for the superior construction, over the T. Not that an X can go 130* mph.
 
I just mounted up a set of brand new Federal 185/60-13 595's I got from another forum member. One of the four got a sidewall bubble and almost blew off the bead right after mounting and driving 5 miles. Kinda screwed now, have 3 new tires and can't get a 4th. I took off the old tires because they were from 2004, but had only a few thousand miles on them
Obviously not the fault of the person I got them from, they were brand new.
If anyone knows where I can find one more, please let me know.
 
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