15" Tires -- 195/60 or 205/55

[Myami]

Hi Pelicans:

I have grown tired of the 205/60s on my 71T.

As background, the car is wearing 6" and 7" "steel" wheels from Group4. It looks great, but I'm afraid I might be rubbing ever so slightly and/or that I might be leaving some performance on the table, however slight. I like my ride height (24"ish f / 24.5"ish r) and the car now has a single plug 2.5L motor out back.

With all that said, I am curious about replacing the rubber. I have done the research on stock and near-stock sizing (i.e., 185/70; 196/65) and want to try something different. Here's hoping some of you have gone down this path . . .

Option 1: 195/60. Looking at the Vred Sprint +. These are approx. 0.5" smaller in diameter than my 205/60s.

Option 2: 205/55. Looking at the Yoko Advan Fleva V701. These are approx. 1" smaller than my 205/60s, hence the hesitation.

What say the experts? Thanks in advance.

[jac1976]

The 205/55 will provide better torque/acceleration. I have the same size and same tire on my 77 and like them.

What is the hesitation? The side wall is only .4 shorter than the 205/60 if that’s what you are concerned about. It may also provide the needed room to avoid rubbing.

[Myami]

Originally Posted by jac1976

The 205/55 will provide better torque/acceleration. I have the same size and same tire on my 77 and like them.

What is the hesitation? The side wall is only .4 shorter than the 205/60 if that’s what you are concerned about. It may also provide the needed room to avoid rubbing.

Thanks, Jac. Agreed, slightly shorter tires should eradicate rubbing (though it could be just creaking from the T-bar bushings). That + added performance put me on this path.

I think my concerns stems from the approx. 1" smaller diameter, so 0.4" top and bottom. This makes me think the tire might be "lost" in the wheel well or look "too small". Not many pictures to be found. If I'm being overly cautious as the change is de minimis, please say so.

[darrin]

I really liked the performance (and acceleration) bump I got moving from 205/55-16 to 205/55-15 on my 86 Carrera. Strongly recommend the Yokohama A052 tires -- super sticky but surprisingly compliant. My only real concern for you would be with whether running shorter tires with your already tucked 911 will cause ground clearance issues. My Carrera sits around 25ish from fenders with 205/55-16 and its real world, day to day, clearance was noticeably affected (still drivable, but required me to be more mindful going into driveways, etc.) when my tire diameter dropped another inch.

Edit -- here's a link to Steve Weiner's former '74 Carrera running 205/55-15 Pirelli trofeos up front https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-porsche-911-carrera-coupe-24/

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Myami

Hi Pelicans:

I have grown tired of the 205/60s on my 71T.

As background, the car is wearing 6" and 7" "steel" wheels from Group4. It looks great, but I'm afraid I might be rubbing ever so slightly and/or that I might be leaving some performance on the table, however slight. I like my ride height (24"ish f / 24.5"ish r) and the car now has a single plug 2.5L motor out back.

With all that said, I am curious about replacing the rubber. I have done the research on stock and near-stock sizing (i.e., 185/70; 196/65) and want to try something different. Here's hoping some of you have gone down this path . . .

Option 1: 195/60. Looking at the Vred Sprint +. These are approx. 0.5" smaller in diameter than my 205/60s.

Option 2: 205/55. Looking at the Yoko Advan Fleva V701. These are approx. 1" smaller than my 205/60s, hence the hesitation.

What say the experts? Thanks in advance.

I've use 205/50 an 225/50 on mine, 23.1" & 23.9" OD, as long as the car is lowered it looks great

Why do you think 205/60 rubs?
215/60 on 7ET23.3 will rub an 3" arch several inches above the rear lip at std ride height, yours is lower so if it's low enough the rub should be a tad higher than that

in front the lips will grab and bend down and the tire will be cut., again w/ a 215/60 on 7ET23.3

[Myami]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

I've use 205/50 an 225/50 on mine, 23.1" & 23.9" OD, as long as the car is lowered it looks great

Why do you think 205/60 rubs?
215/60 on 7ET23.3 will rub an 3" arch several inches above the rear lip at std ride height, yours is lower so if it's low enough the rub should be a tad higher than that

in front the lips will grab and bend down and the tire will be cut., again w/ a 215/60 on 7ET23.3

Thanks, Bill! I should first say that I'm not 100% certain that it's rubbing that I hear.

When the car and tires are cold, I hear creaking from the corners (predominantly front right and rear left) over bumps and road undulations. When things heat up, it goes away.

The front right creak sounds like it is coming from the passenger door jamb. The rear left creak sounds like it is coming from under the quarter window near the spring plate.

I have experienced rubbing in other cars (mine included) and this is not as alarming as I've heard in the past. Regardless, I remain concerned due to the ride height/fitment and am committed to trying a "better" tire than the Vred All Seasons on the car now. My new motor deserves more grip!

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Myami

Thanks, Bill! I should first say that I'm not 100% certain that it's rubbing that I hear.

When the car and tires are cold, I hear creaking from the corners (predominantly front right and rear left) over bumps and road undulations. When things heat up, it goes away.

The front right creak sounds like it is coming from the passenger door jamb. The rear left creak sounds like it is coming from under the quarter window near the spring plate.

I have experienced rubbing in other cars (mine included) and this is not as alarming as I've heard in the past. Regardless, I remain concerned due to the ride height/fitment and am committed to trying a "better" tire than the Vred All Seasons on the car now. My new motor deserves more grip!

probably something in the suspension

I'd use 206/60 or /55

195/65 will have less grip all else being equal than those 2

[Funracer]

Just went through this. The Vredisteins were NA from Tire Rack in 195/65-15 last week.

Went with 195/65-15 and 215/60-15 from Falken.

[ToySnakePMC]

Did the Advan Fleva square set last year or 2. Great performance for the spirited mtn runs this car did this Spring and Summer. 205-55-15. Gearing is a bit different than the 60 series provided. It’s mostly apparent at interstate speeds. Love the tires.

[Myami]

Originally Posted by ToySnakePMC

Did the Advan Fleva square set last year or 2. Great performance for the spirited mtn runs this car did this Spring and Summer. 205-55-15. Gearing is a bit different than the 60 series provided. It’s mostly apparent at interstate speeds. Love the tires.

This is great--thank you! Would you happen to have some additional photos of the car? Perhaps from the side and rear quarter? That should about do it.

[ToySnakePMC]

Traveling this week in Bourbon country. Here are a few for ya!
Phone dials have other tire brand, but same dimensions.

[brianlay]

I think rubbing issues are best observed not heard

[930cabman]

I am shopping for 185/70 15 for my 1975 911S coupe. Not many choices (as this was the stock size) but Vredstein has them for about $150./each. I know not many guys go with the stock size, but has anyone had these and either + or -
TIA

[Myami]

Originally Posted by ToySnakePMC

Traveling this week in Bourbon country. Here are a few for ya!
Phone dials have other tire brand, but same dimensions.

Thanks again for the help with this. I took the plunge and installed Yoko Fleva 205/55s yesterday.

ToySnakePMC: Might I trouble you for your ride heights—ground to center fender—and your tire pressures?

Initial thoughts: the tires run smooth and do not look overly small in the wheel wells. Pics to follow.

I am, however, unhappy with the ride quality. The suspension feels busy and seems to bounce more over road undulations than it did with the 205/60s.

Any thoughts on how to reinstate some comfort—lower tire pressure (I’m up about 2psi all around), raised ride height, something else?

[PeteKz]

What shocks are you running?

[ToySnakePMC]

No ride complaints here, but suspension is fresh and more firm than soft. I just did a quick check at all 4 wheel well heights, and they’re all at 24”. +/- a 1/8”... TP around 28 to 30’ish psi. I probably don’t check that as often as I should. Hope you get your desired ride comfort back.

[Myami]

Originally Posted by PeteKz

What shocks are you running?

Originally Posted by ToySnakePMC

No ride complaints here, but suspension is fresh and more firm than soft. I just did a quick check at all 4 wheel well heights, and they’re all at 24”. +/- a 1/8”... TP around 28 to 30’ish psi. I probably don’t check that as often as I should. Hope you get your desired ride comfort back.

Thanks, gents. I am running Bilstein HDs with freshly installed rubber bushings/components everywhere. 20/26 torsion bars. Everything was a-ok prior to stepping down from 205/60s to 205/55s.

Appreciate the feedback re height and pressure, ToySnakePMC. I am a little lower than you, but that wasn't an issue previously. Sigh. One step forward, two steps back.

[PeteKz]

Since your car is a 71T, I expect it's light like mine. Bilstein HDs are too much shock for that car on the street, IMO. I'm not personally familiar with the brands and sizes you run, but I do know that different tires have different wall stiffness, which changes the amount of harshness transmitted to the wheel, then to the car.