Tires???

[Charlie V]

I'm in the market for a set of tires. Wow, very limited selection.

I just picked up a set of polished lip Fuchs for Rosie 7 and 8 x 16. Looking to put on 225 front and 245 or 255 rear.

I ran a set of Kumho MX on my other rims - good price and a predictable tire - but they stopped making them and Tirerack is just out of stock.

I see Hankook has some. But, they too have very limited availability.

What are others doing for reasonably priced tires??

[rllevin]

Dunlap Direzza Sport Z1 Star spec

[wildcat077]

I'm running TOYO Proxes T1R 225/50/16 fronts and 245/45/16 rears on my 89 Carrera and they are awesome...
Drove 200 kms in a torrential rain last week and i felt safe driving at a good rate of speed.
They are way better, in my opinion than the Michelin Pilots i had on previously !
Remember,you get what you pay for...

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by Charlie V

I'm in the market for a set of tires. Wow, very limited selection.

I just picked up a set of polished lip Fuchs for Rosie 7 and 8 x 16. Looking to put on 225 front and 245 or 255 rear.

I ran a set of Kumho MX on my other rims - good price and a predictable tire - but they stopped making them and Tirerack is just out of stock.

I see Hankook has some. But, they too have very limited availability.

What are others doing for reasonably priced tires??

Charly V,

Tires are a bit like motor oil.

Each car owner has his/her preference(s) based upon need and application(s).

In general, the "stickier" the tire the better track performance, and lower wear index.

Our 911's and 930's have always been daily drivers where hi performance was
not a requirement, but a high wear index is.

For that reason, last year we recently placed Pirelli Zero-Nero 205F & 225R (also from Tire Rack),
on the newly refurbished (Highland Plating) 7's & 8's for our '86.

Any wider can result in "fender rub" while turning.

These tires carry a very high wear index and should last about 45F & 25R K miles
as did the P7000's.

Consider your needs and make the choice.

Good luck,

Gerry

[Nine17]

Not as racy as the MX, but I just got a set of 205-16 and 225-16 Kumho Ecsta SPT's from Tire Rack. Very good price, very predictable tire. I find that the new semi-slicks like the Star-spec work best if you've got ABS and some kind of stability control. I personally prefer summer-treaded tires on my '88 Carrera for street use -- more predictable break-away and easier brake modulation. The Kumhos also have a nice look.

[mossguy]

Hey Charlie! How about some nice Motomasters!!

Best,
Tom

[greghershner]

I put on a set of General Tires this summer and they are holding up well, performing great. Don't know if you might have Japanese tires cheaper than domestic tires there in the Canadian NW.

http://www.generaltire.com/tires/T1/Exclaim-UHP

I Gave $320 for a set delivered.

[Charlie V]

Originally Posted by mossguy

Hey Charlie! How about some nice Motomasters!!

Best,
Tom

Having to purchase one of those started this tire search. LOL!!!

Although, never say never.......it may come to that if I get really stuck.

[Charlie V]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Each car owner has his/her preference(s) based upon need and application(s).

In general, the "stickier" the tire the better track performance, and lower wear index.

These tires carry a very high wear index and should last about 45F & 25R K miles
as did the P7000's.

Gerry

Gerry, good points.

I go with low wear index so the tires wear out before they age out. I only get 7,000 to 10,000 kms in a driving season.

The bonus, low wear index means stickier tires. Yippie!!

Have a read on tire aging.......an eye opener.

http://www.safetyresearch.net/category/tires/tire-aging/

[dentist90]

Hey Charlie, Car and Driver magazine compared 9 tires to the Michelin PS2 this month. Just have to check for available sizes...

Car and Driver Tire Comparison

[RWebb]

hmmm

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star
and
the Kumhos

were head & shoulders above the rest.

Dunlops available in 195/55R15...
Kumho Ecsta XS available in 205/50R15... - BUT not for PNW drivers (bad in the wet)

[burgermeister]

I'm reasonably happy with Bridgestone RE760. Quiet, decent ride, will tolerate occasional track use. That said, I think I'll try some RE11's for my next set - see if they are more tolerant of track driving. We'll see if I like the ride tradeoff on our lovely roads here in Michigan....

[MELO-911]

you guys are lucky in the US over there still some choice. Here in AUS its even harder, currently looking for tires & the killer is the 245/45/16.

[Bill Verburg]

I put a 17" set of *specs on my C3 this spring very pleased w/ them. They only needed 1x .25g weight to balance all 4, anf they stick very well. Price was right too.

For your wheels the only choices are 205/55 & 225/50 which will work fine for you, On mine I downsized from 235/275 to 225/255 but don't miss the bigger size at all

[84_Carrera]

Have a set of MX's on some 16x6 / 16x8 968 wheels... rears are pretty well worn but..

I'm currently running Hankook R-S2s. Like them just fine.

[toddu]

I heard they are bringing back the Toyo RA1.....

Todd

[911st]

225/245's w 7&8's are a proven track combination. However as noted above it is difficult to fit th 225's on the front unless you have a lot of neg camber (say -2.5 or more) and roll the fenders.

Unless you have a lot of camber front and rear you will end up using the outsides of the 225/245's on the track, and the insides on the street.

Thus, if is a street and some time DE car the 205/225's of the current crop of street / drift / track tires is not a big short coming.

The best dual purpose race tire that leans heavy toward the track is/was the Toyo RA1 which as noted was discontinued but is whispered to be back for next session in a 225/245x16. Kumho Victo Racers come in 225/245's and could be an alternative as could the Toyo R888 that needs less camber but has not been very well accepted.

If more interested in a tire that leans toward the street a bit but is still exceptional for AutoZ and the track there are a fair number of good street class race tires like the Dunlop Z1. I loved that tire. Also the Bridgstone RE11 & now the Yokohama ADO8 but they only come in the 205/225's .

The Kumho XS tested well and comes in a 215 & 225. However, the 215 is a smaller height front tire (23.6 v 25") wich kind of eliminates it. If you had 9" rears you could look at 225/265's in an XS.

Again-- Z1, RE11, or AD08's in 205/225's on 7&8's is a very strong set up that still will get some mileage out of a tire compared to a DOT race tire.

[toddu]

Dang, they won't through in 205's (RA1). That sucks.

Todd

[KingSalmon911SC]

+3 on the Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec.
Replaced my Toyo Proxes & won't go back. Recommend for dry climes; however, I got caught in a thunderstorm downpour between McCall, Idaho & Riggins; tires very predictable, w/controll.

Richard

[SCWDP911]

Try the Fuzion ZRi's. $100 each. Decent all around Z-rated tire so far. No issues in rain. Wears nicely so far (just got back from cross country trip)... Come in the sizes you are after...