Tire Selection

HarryD · 08-12-2005, 03:51 PM

Hi All,

I am looking at replacing my old tires. Based on several recommendations I have narrowed it down to Yoko ES100's or Dunlop SP Sport 5000's. Pricewise they are close enough.

I drive mostly street but a little (4-6 times a year) AutoX thrown in for fun. I want to try to do 1-2 track days/year as well.

Any thoughts?

Now before you tell about some of the more popular Michelin's etc., remember I am running 15x6 wheels and need 205-55/15 tires. As many of your are aware, this does limit my choices but then again with my little T and the driving I am doing, I do not need ultimate performance tires either.

All comments are welcomed!

patkeefe · 08-12-2005, 04:45 PM

Harry:
I'm actually going to break down and buy some tires for the cookie cutters just for autox and track, and keep the 16's with the hard rubber Yokahamas for the street.

I was recommended to some Toyo's by the local tire guys (Euro-Tire in Fairfield (shameless plug)). They are hard to find in the 15 inch sizes for most of the softer streetable compounds.

Pat

HarryD · 08-12-2005, 05:00 PM

Hi Pat,

Which Toyo's are you looking at? I have Toyo's now (very hard M&S Performance Tire) and I think I will be much happier with a softer tire for my needs. Plus I have no confidence that the local Toyo guy (Les Schwab) can be suitably gentle with my cookie cutter rims.

I should note that The first recommendation from one local expert was not the Dunlop SP Sport 5000's but the (now discontinued) Dunlop SP 8000. He also likes the Dunlop SP 9000 but they do not come in my size (sigh....). He also suggested the Yoko AVS DBS2 but then again.... not available in my size.... He said the Yoko ES's are ok but he thought I would be more happy with the Dunlops. BTW, the reviews at Tire Rack tend to indicate the same thing.

The other local expert thinks the Yoko ES 100's are a better choice for.

patkeefe · 08-12-2005, 05:11 PM

Harry:
I've found it's difficult to look through the tire rack online stuff...it has stuff missing, or hard to find. I basically peruse the tire manufacturers websites.
I called Yokahama yesterday to ask about my current tires, A550's. As I suspected, they were made for Sears. The wear rating is 400 on these tires. Yokahama A048's have a wear rating of 60. I looked at some tires on some of the little fords and subarus in a parking lot today, and they had wear ratings of 150 or so. No wonder they kill me in autocross times.

I'm going to do a bit more research on tires. I need to do this before Watkins Glen on Friday.

BTW, Bill Verburg had some tire thoughts and recommendations recently, but I can't find the thread.

Pat

johnsjmc · 04:33 AM

I bought a used set of wheels and 205/50x15 and was quite impressed with the feel/behavior of the BFG comp T/A . Not sure of which version or wear rating (could look if interested) .I have Dunlop 8000E on another set of 16s and like the BFGs better.

Paulporsche · 08-13-2005, 05:44 AM

John,
Do you have a pic of your car w/ the 205/50x15s? Is it the 77? I am considering a switch to a 55 or 50 series and am concerned that I will not like the look of the smaller diameter.

johnsjmc · 08-13-2005, 05:57 AM

I put them on the 77 with a 7x15 and 8x15 wheel They look a little small so I lowered the front 1 full turn on the T bar adjusters They drove well and the car was faster because of the reduced diameter but I put my polished Fuchs back on for looks.I have a picture somewhere I will try to find it

Paulporsche · 08-13-2005, 06:08 AM

Thanks.

HarryD · 05:11 PM

Paul,

My '73 with 205/60-15's and lowered:

Same Tires, Before Lowering:

With 205/55-15's and lowered:

Paulporsche · 08-13-2005, 10:44 AM

Thanks, Harry. Those look OK, especially once the car was lowered. Those are 60s? In your post you said you are looking for 55s, so you want to go even smaller? I'm really concerned that 205s in a 55 or a 50 series will just look WAY too small.

Anybody else out there who have 55 or 50s on their 15" wheels?

HarryD · 08-13-2005, 11:48 AM

Hi Paul.

Those are 60's. If I go to 55's, My speedo will read correctly and I should get a slight gain in acceration from the slightly shorter effective gearing. I figure it will look somewhere between the two pictures.

HarryD · 12:44 PM

I just spoke with Tire Rack. The fellow on the line sugessted i look at the BF Goodrich g-Force Sport. Any one tried them?

BTW, I found this thread as well but still need help.

Jeff Higgins · 08-13-2005, 01:03 PM

Are you on the wet or dry side of Oregon? I'm on the wet side of Washington, and as a result, drive in the rain a lot. I put a set of AVS ES 100's on my car last winter. I was running a set of AVS Intermediates before that. Overall, the ES 100's are a far better tire for me. In addition to being a fantastic rain tire, they have worked great out on the track. I get in about one track day a month at either Pacific Raceways up here in Auburn or down at your Portland International Raceway. Our cars are pretty similar so they should behave the same on the same tires. By the way, if there are Discount Tire shops in Oregon, they are affiliated with Tire Rack and can get anything they advertise.

HarryD · 08-13-2005, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
Are you on the wet or dry side of Oregon? I'm on the wet side of Washington, and as a result, drive in the rain a lot. I put a set of AVS ES 100's on my car last winter. I was running a set of AVS Intermediates before that. Overall, the ES 100's are a far better tire for me. In addition to being a fantastic rain tire, they have worked great out on the track. I get in about one track day a month at either Pacific Raceways up here in Auburn or down at your Portland International Raceway. Our cars are pretty similar so they should behave the same on the same tires. By the way, if there are Discount Tire shops in Oregon, they are affiliated with Tire Rack and can get anything they advertise.

Jeff,

I am in Portland. I was leaning to the Dunlops due to some of the issues I have been reading about the Yoko's not "aging gracefully". For the money, the BFG's look attractive from a money standpoint and the fellow at Tire Rack mentioned that the BFG's are a sub brand to Michelin.

patkeefe · 08-13-2005, 01:45 PM

Anyone know what the widest tires are that will fit the cookie cutters? Cookies are 6J15 front and 7J15 rear.

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

I run 225/45-15 on 15x7 cookies on all the corners for the track

With Hoosiers you'd have to roll your fenders, but that may depend on your suspension stiffness and ride height.

The car came w/ 2 sets of 15x6's w/ 225/50-15 Kumhos mounted on all corners and it also cleared.

HarryD · 08-15-2005, 08:20 PM

Well after much waffling, I ended up gettign the Yoko as the best value for my perceived needs. I think it was the advice of my neighbor (Steve Weiner) who finally helped me see the light.

randywebb · 08-15-2005, 09:01 PM

And when you drive them in the cold, you are gonna report back & tell us how they feel, right?

HarryD · 08-15-2005, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by randywebb
And when you drive them in the cold, you are gonna report back & tell us how they feel, right?

Fair enough. Yes I will. Bear in mind that my winter Porsche driving is (mostly) limited to clear days and short (20-30 minute) trips about once every 2-3 weeks.

alf · 08-15-2005, 09:40 PM

Give the Avon M500s a try, i just got mine and am quite pleaseed. More info on this thread... Avon Tech M500 Review.