1980 911SC - 15 Inch Tire Choices

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

Spring is finally here!

I'm looking for some advice regarding size of replacement tires for my 1980SC with 15 inch wheels.

Sizes presently installed:

Front: 205/60 15

Rear: 215/60 15

I would like tires that are a little more aggressive, just for everyday street driving in the summer.

Advice re size (ratio), brand and supplier greatly appreciated!

Safe Motoring

[red 2.7]

Hi I just installed a set of Toyos on my 77 I have 6 and 7 inch rims 205 55 up front and 225 50's in the rear Proxies T1R very nice tread not too expensive and easily available in Canada I paid $800. for the set installed. On another note I just watched the Targa on Speed network awesome! Is sure is getting better every year.

[Drisump]

I responded to a thread last week about 15" tires.... Last spring I bought BF Goodrich G-Force Sports in sizes that fit on the Fuch rim and were very close as far as outside diameter, I can't remember the exact sizes but they will fit on your SC just fine. If you need the exact sizes I can get them for you. They perform well, I have about 6000 km on them (with one track day) and they're in great shape. I put them on after burning up a set of Dunlops, and I must say, the BF's are superior in all ways. When I started shopping for tires, I didn't think I could get a descent set for under a $1000 so I started "rounding up the usual suspects" in the high performance area. I found NO ONE makes our size tires anymore in a premium performance summer tire so availability made my decision for me. So, for $600, installed and balanced I got the BF's..... I'm considering getting another set for "inventory", because you have to wonder how long these will be available. Hope this helps.

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

Thanks Red,

I can't seem to find a matching set of Front 205/55 and Rear 225/50 at Tire Barn.

Any advice?

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

Originally Posted by Drisump

I responded to a thread last week about 15" tires.... Last spring I bought BF Goodrich G-Force Sports in sizes that fit on the Fuch rim and were very close as far as outside diameter, I can't remember the exact sizes but they will fit on your SC just fine. If you need the exact sizes I can get them for you. They perform well, I have about 6000 km on them (with one track day) and they're in great shape. I put them on after burning up a set of Dunlops, and I must say, the BF's are superior in all ways. When I started shopping for tires, I didn't think I could get a descent set for under a $1000 so I started "rounding up the usual suspects" in the high performance area. I found NO ONE makes our size tires anymore in a premium performance summer tire so availability made my decision for me. So, for $600, installed and balanced I got the BF's..... I'm considering getting another set for "inventory", because you have to wonder how long these will be available. Hope this helps.

Many thanks,

Yes, please supply exact sizes when you can. Thanks!

[88-diamondblue]

Check out the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position (Ultra High Performance All-Season) in 205/60 and 215/60-15's at Tire Rack. $74 ea for the fronts and $86 ea on the rear. Plus you get a $75 prepaid AE card until May 1. Tire Search Results

I don't like the look of lower profile tires that are shorter than the original 25" tires. These tires have good reviews of those here at Pelican that have used them.

[Drisump]

The BF's on my car are 205/60R15 96v front and 225/60R15 96v in the back. The Pole Positions have a bit of a following but as I don't drive my car outside the summer months, I felt that the "all weather" rating may diminish it's summer performance....that being said, Bridgestone makes great tires. Cheers

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

Thanks everyone for your help.

Some options are emerging:

1980 911SC, 15 inch tire set-up:

Option 1, stock set-up: 205/60 Front, 215/60 Rear

Option 2, stock front, slightly wider rear: 205/60 Front, 225/60 Rear

Option 3, lower profile front and rear: 205/55 Front and 225/50 Rear

Comments?

For the rear, will 225/60 or 225/50 fit my wheels? 215/60 are installed now...

Thanks in advance!

[Scott Douglas]

I got some Yokohama's from America's Tire.
205-60 front
225-60 rear
on 15" 7's and 8's
Nice riding tire, good grip dry, haven't had 'em in the wet though.
Hope this helps.

[88-diamondblue]

205 and 215-60's 25" tall tires are factory height tires, taller tire worse gearing, shorter is better gearing. Just have to like the look of what you get.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I've got a pair of 215/60 15 Yoko A008Ps, these are old but were stored properly and aren't hard. I mounted them and used them on my T together with 195/65s in the front for about 500 miles.

Many folks like the old school higher profile look of these with early cars, but decided to go with 225/50 and 205/55 SO3s (also old and properly stored) and think my car looks better with them.

Both tire sets stick like glue, these tires didn't become 911 icons for nothing.

I had them mounted on deep 6s, part of why I didn't like the look. these require 7x15s and could be used on 8s which will properly proportion the sidewall. if i had put these on my 7x15 cookies all around in the first place, I'd have kept them.

I'll dismount and ship the pair taped together, shouldn't be too bad via UPS. $200 + shipping. SOLD

[OttawaDave]

My car is currently running on stock sizes (though according to my 1985 manual, and door plates, that's 195/65 and 215/60).

I'm rapidly approaching replacement time as well, and from what I can gather, the issue with the options in 15-inch sizes seems to be the profile...looks like I'm headed for a set of 50-series tires, but will go with 205 and 225.

Folks in my neck of the woods have advised me to look at Yokohama S-drive (or EV100).

Here's my car with it's stock size tires on 15's.


Good luck with your search - be sure to let us know what you end up choosing.

Dave

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

on the SC I have received very adequate street performance from Goodyear Eagles and they have lasted with tread so long I believe they would dry rot before I wear them out. These tyres do provide adequate traction in wet conditions unless you push the car.

on the 993 I am using BF Goodrich and will replace these to the SC when I do replace tyres. I am getting rather good footing in heavy road usage on multiple surfaces. The BF Goodrichs are lasting nicely on the daily driver. These tyres do well in wet and frozen conditions as well.

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

Originally Posted by 88-diamondblue

205 and 215-60's 25" tall tires are factory height tires, taller tire worse gearing, shorter is better gearing. Just have to like the look of what you get.

Thanks, very nice car, what size are the tires?

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

Thanks, as per 88-diamondblue, I'm leaning toward the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Positions:

Tire Search Results

[WPOZZZ]

Perfect thread as I need tires for my Weissach as she is almost out of resto.

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

Hi all,

Thanks for the tips.

Does anyone have advice or opinion regarding Goodyear Eagle GT? I have found these at a very good price.

I did once install a set on my 1980 Rabbit GTI and found they had good grip but wore very fast (then again I was young and more aggressive )

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

So, perhaps Eagle GT not a good choice?

[OttawaDave]

I don't have experience with them myself (just watching your post as I'm on the tire hunt too). However, there were some less than encouraging reviews on TireRack, so they aren't on the top of my list at the moment.

Dave

[NEWFIE 69 911E]

Thanks Dave, Canadian Tire have a sale on Eagle GTs right now: Buy one, get one 1/2 price.

I will await some more comments before making a choice between Bridgestone Pole Position and Eagle GT.

Tom