Street tires for early '70s?

[}{arlequin]

I have 15x7 all around, and 205/60 in front and 215/60 in the rear. The tires are not the greatest, so I've been looking around and there aren't too many tires in those sizes. I don't really want to go to a lower profile since the suspension is set up for the track, so whatever streetability the car has, it's with the help of the tires' sidewall compliance. Anyone has any suggestions? The car is '73 and has stock/narrow fenders.

Thanks,
dave.

[pwd72s]

Me too...wondering what I'll do when it's time to change. The choices seem to get smaller & smaller for us with 15" dia. wheels...unless we go with a skinny sidewall that makes things look weird...

[dd74]

Guys - that's the reason I'm thinking of going down to a lower profile tire - because there's very little offered in the 60-series.

I checked on Tire Rack just now, under 205-60-15, and found no "maximum performance" tires for that size, and only one brand of tire for "competition," which is the Kumho ECSTA R700.

Meanwhile, in 55-series and 50-series, there are a lot more choices.

Harley: I know you don't want to change your series tires, but do you think 55-series would have that big an effect on your settings?

[Dantilla]

Yokohama AVS ES-100.

[jmz]

Yokohama A008 RS is available in 205-60-15 isn't it? Although this is not really a good street tire..

[}{arlequin]

Has anyone used Yokohama AVS ES-100 on a 911? I know they are big with the Civc/Integra crowd, but it may be due to the price/look, not performance. Way back in the day, the AVS tire was considered one of the top models. Within the last few years, on another car I've had Yoko's A502's and I would not recommend them. Pretty good dry grip, but in the wet... a bit scary. Not something I would want to worry about mid-bend in a car with a heavy tail. So I'm a little hesitant with the Yokohama brand all together.

dave.

[pwd72s]

I'm still running the old Yoko A008P...wish they still made them in the size I run...skinny 195/65, because it closely replicates the original michelin XWX in diameter. I prefer the look of full fenderwells, don't like the "air" left look when running skinny profile tires on 15" wheels.

[jase007]

Dave:

There have been discussions of the Yoko AVS ES100s if you search archives or go to this thread DE Tire suggestions. I am using them on my '76 Targa [215-60-15 on 6.5" X 15" wheels] Car is narrow bodied, no flares, lowered a little and I have no rubbing issues (on track, aggressive street). Just took some more pics yesterday and will post soon.

Love the feel / grip in dry and wet and the price (Very, VERY reasonable when purchased from TR 4 months ago). They don't "balloon" on the rim and I like having same size on all four corners to rotate. 215s (in this tire) gave ~0.37" more tread width than 205s.

I run 205-55-15s on my BMW (not- Yokos) and like the size on that car, but don't think they'll fill the wheel wells on the Targa. The 55 section width is pretty low on a 15 X 7 rim although, plenty of people run 225/50/15s on these cars (with rolled fenders, neg camber, etc...)

I would recommend the AVS ES 100s.

Jason

[Dantilla]

I have ES-100s on my NARP 944. Very impressive when wet, dry, street or track. Lots of bang for the buck.

[}{arlequin]

Very confidence-building endorsements. I will be probably giving them a try. Thanks to all the "reviewers."

dave.

[Halm]

Dave, there are a couple of other options such as sell me those hard to fit 15x7's and get a set of 16's and move to 50 series tires!

Or take a look at Yoko db S2's. I have a set private labeled for NTB on my '70 E and for all around use they are pretty good. Also the Bridgestone RE 950's look pretty interesting.

[JTO]

I have a question about the 15 inch tires available. Very few, if any are VR rated or better. The ES-100 I found in 205 60-15 are HR rated. Tell me, does it matter that my car came with VR rated tires in '75 and now I am forced to use HR?
thanks,
Troy

[detroiter]

Troy,
There are at least 5 each in www.tirerack.com and www.tire.com that are 205/65/VR15 and at least 4 that are 215/65/VR15 in tire.com.

Good luck!

Randy
Detroit, MI

Looking for one P6 185/70/VR15 - please check your spares!

[JTO]

Thanks detroiter, I looked on the Tire Rack web site and only got ES-100 in my size with an HR rating. Wonder what's up with that.

Thanks for letting me know what's available.
troy

[Padrino]

Seems to be a lot of opinions on this but nothing to draw a conclusion from. I'm in the same boat, stock 1970 911S with 15 inch (deep dish) Fuchs. What is the maximum rubber I can get on the road with good wet safety.

Help!!!! Ken

[jmz]

Padrino, 205-60-15 should fit fine. but you might want to go 195-60-15 on a 6" rim...any GOOD tire shop will let you size up first though. I ran 205-60-15 on my 15x7 w/ r offset on my car for years when it was a non flared '74. I ran 225 50 15 for a short while and had no clearance issues but again they were "R" offset wheels.

I would say go to the tire shop, size 'em up and draw your own conclusions.

Regards,

[dd74]

JMZ brings up a good point I've been thinking of: is it the usual practice for a tire shop to let you "test fit" a tire on your rim to see if it fits and how it looks?

Like test-fitting clothing or shoes, for example?

[JTO]

My car has 205 60-15 on it. No issues but the car is not low. I intend on lowering the thing while I rebuild the suspension but don't anticipate any issues with tire clearance. The biggest problem as I have said is finding a VR rated tire or better in this size.

Troy

[Randy Webb]

re test fit -- some co.s (e.g. Bridgestone) have 30 day return privilege -- obviously I wouldn't abuse that. But contact the co. and then with a copy of that printed out go see your dealer. Can be very imp. for the early 911 as no 2 are really alike re what they'll take.