1989 911 Tire Opinions (need softer tires)

Doug751 · 07-05-2005, 09:06 AM

Hello,

My 1989 911 Coupe is shaking itself apart on the terrible roads of Metro Detroit. I want to be able to drive the car on some longer trips, on questionable road surfaces, and I do not want to destroy this car. Hopefully I can find some tires that are more forgiving over expansion strips and buckled cracked roads. I am prepared to give up some handling, and I do not plan to drive the car on a track. Hopefully a tire exsists that will reduce the sharp shocks and therefore make the interior rattles and squeaks less of an issue.

The tire pressure is set as suggested in the manual.

The car is equipped with these tires now, bought new by the previous owner right before I bought the car:

Continental ContiSportContact (the old style N1 tires, not the new version)

205/55/16"
225/50/16"

Stock Fuchs wheels.

This is not my daily driver, but I would like to almost use it that way especially in the spring/summer/fall. Appreciate any tips.... Thank you!

Oh Haha · 07-05-2005, 09:26 AM

My.02:
Try the Fuzion brand tires. They are made by Bridgestone, available through The Tire Rack. Locally. Kan Rock can get them for you. Just did 1000 miles inthe past few weeks to West Michigan and back. Not teeth jarring at all. Not bad on the track for a rookie, either. They run around 80 bucks per tire. Glad to give you a test ride if you want, if you aren't too far away.

chgrec · chgrec's Garage

Love my Yoko ES100 tires...had them on my boxster and they were much better (less harsh ride) than the Pirellis P-Zeros...
Put them on my 911 and they are a good ride yet still give great grip around town....

Chris

anthony · 07-05-2005, 09:37 AM

What is your ride height set at? The PO slammed my car to the ground in the front. Even with no shocks the car skipped over bumps and had an all-around horrible ride. I raised it back up and now it handles great with an extra inch and a quarter of suspension travel. The shocks can actually do their job now.

SandyI · 07-05-2005, 10:04 AM

I agree with Anthony. Replace your shocks, balance your car, and check your ride height.

alf · 07-05-2005, 10:15 AM

Check out the Avon M500s.

Tim Hancock · 07-05-2005, 10:51 AM

Doug I work in Toledo and have the Avon's from Tire Rack (205/55/16 & 225/50/16's, '79 SC). They are great in the wet and dry, but I can't really tell you if they are softer than other brands or not.

If you are near Toledo on weekdays, we could go for a spin and you could see for yourself.

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

i've lived in detroit..for those roads i wouldn't want 50 or 55 series tires..i'd be looking at 60-series if you can get them. i assume you need all weather tires too, so i suggest a good all season, but high performance tire unless you want softer ride even then look at touring. i use 60 series kumho 732 touring tires (215/60/15) year round..$41 a tire at tirerack. they ain't track tires, but i still have all my teeth..and i live in arkansas!

ryan

Doug751 · 07-05-2005, 11:39 AM

Hello,

Thanks for all your input. The car was lowered to Euro Height 2 weeks ago by a reputable shop. The rear shocks were replaced at the same time.

I may take the suggestion of finding a set of 15" wheels and use 60 series tires for normal driving, and switch to the 16" wheels if I ever go to the track.

If I do go with 15", which widths should I use?

Thanks again,

-Doug

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

doug,
i'm guessing you run 7's in front and 8's in the rear currently? you might actually have trouble finding fuchs in 15x7 and 15x8, but i'm not sure. can you not use 60-series on your current 16 inch wheels or just don't want to have to remove tires to switch to track?
ryan

Tim Hancock · 07-05-2005, 03:32 PM

Doug, I feel youre pain! I on occasion have to go to Detroit on business. Without a doubt those are the worst roads I have ever driven on. It seemed to be getting so bad that I won't drive my wife's lowered 325i let alone my 911SC when venturing up I75 anymore. The only good part (or bad depending on youre perspective) is that traffic hauls @ss on I75 in Michigan!

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

I like the Yoko AVS ES100s pretty soft but they pick up nails like a mofo....not sure how they would do in colder Det. temps, but are great out here in sunny LA.

edit: Im from Det. and those roads suck. The excess salt on the roads in the winter, combined with the cold temps, then fluctuating spring temps play havoc. Pothole city and not kind to 911s.

fastpat · 07-05-2005, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigchillcar
doug,
i'm guessing you run 7's in front and 8's in the rear currently? you might actually have trouble finding fuchs in 15x7 and 15x8, but i'm not sure. can you not use 60-series on your current 16 inch wheels or just don't want to have to remove tires to switch to track?
ryan

15 inch wheels in 7 & 8's are offered on eBay routinely, not hard to find at all. That's what's on my car now.

That said, I think you can find tires that give a better ride in those sized you are using now. Further, you may have other suspension issues that are giving a harsh ride. On my '88 Targa, a very low mileage car, the suspension bushings need replacement. They've simply aged out, reducing the suppleness of the suspension.

Quicksilver · 07-06-2005, 01:31 AM

A 911 should be solid enough that if you hit a bump you will feel it but it shouldn't have a jarring rattle to it. You might check the wheel bearings. If they are even slightly loose it could rattle your teeth.

If that isn't it then I would look for a set of 15" 6 & 7s. A wider rim for a given tire size will stiffen the sidewall. If you use a narrower rim it increases the curve of the sidewall and adds compliance. God, it bothers me to give advice to increase compliance...

AAAARRrrrrrgggghhhhh....

I can't take it!
Go buy a kidney belt and replace the stock bars with 22s and 29s and become one with the road. (I wonder if you can get potholes in your teeth?)

Quicksilver · 07-06-2005, 01:34 AM

OH BTW - Any truth to the story that import cars will get vandalized in parking lots in the Detroit area?

Doug751 · 07-06-2005, 03:23 AM

Thanks again for all your help.

I will have the suspension bushings looked at and also have the ride height checked. I ordered some 16" V rated all season tires, Yokohama Avid A4S.

While they are at it, I will have the front shocks replaced because the car seems to bob up and down a bit on the freeway. The rear shocks were replaced a few weeks ago when they lowered the car from regular height to the Euro height.

The weird thing is that the large slow movements of the car are still there, but with no absorption or dampening of the sharp higher frequency hits.

Would lowering the car from the stock height to the Euro spec height be part of the problem?

Quicksilver, Metro Detroit is pretty nice. The inner city is not very nice anymore, although Downtown is OK and some areas are still nice. However, our suburbs are actually nicer than most in the Midwest.. Lately, in some places, there are more imports than American cars. Generally, cars are not vandalized here. Cars are stolen, but most of that is in the city and the cars are used for joy rides and then crashed.

Back in the 1970's some Union shops or factories would not allow you to park in their lot if you were in an import. This is not common anymore.

Regards,
-Doug