Tires for 7 & 9x16 Fuchs are getting rare. Ideas?

Bob Prosser · 10:41 AM

Every time I need new rubber for my 7x16" and 9x16" Fuchs, it gets harder and harder. This time, I can't seem to find find a front and rear set (just got off the phone with Tire Rack and Discount Tire).

I prefer 205/50/16 and 245/45/16 ... but if needed, I will go back to the stock 55-series profile, or go to 215/50.

Just street tires ... no need for track or Auto-X rubber. I know this question gets asked quite often, but what the vendors had six months ago, doesn't necessarily mean they are in stock any longer.

Ideas?

Thanks guys.

McLovin · 05-05-2011, 10:39 AM

It's a little tough, I'm in the same boat. Hard to find the 245/45 (they're out there, just a very small selection), then even if you find that, sometimes 205/55 or 205/50 isn't available in that model.

Anyways, here's the latest on the situation, from a couple of days ago. From what I can tell, this is a good summary of the current status.

Tires for 1989 Speedster

esample · esample's Garage

Try here:

tires online @ tires-easy.com: tire dealer for cheap passenger, summer, winter tires

-e.

gumba · 05-05-2011, 10:49 AM

toyo proxes t1r: PROXES T1R Ultra High Performance Summer Tires | Toyo Tires

Bob Prosser · 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumba

toyo proxes t1r: PROXES T1R Ultra High Performance Summer Tires | Toyo Tires

FYI, I called all the big national tire distributors and looks like the Proxes T1R is now discontinued and there are only a few left in the warehouse. I just called Yokohama ... nothing at all for the front. I called discount tire direct, and they say once the economy went south, all the manufacturers cut out the sizes that didn't sell fast.

I'd love to find a tire that will be in stock for the foreseeable future (I'm dreamin').

I could get the Fuzion ZRi ... but what is it like?

aschen · 05-05-2011, 01:21 PM

Kumo exsta XS are perfect for 7/9 (in 265 and 225). Super sticky and tires and cheap.........

aschen · 05-05-2011, 01:23 PM

I thought I was in the my usual hangout the 930 section, my sudgested tires may be a problem if you dont have wide body.

Bob Prosser · 05-05-2011, 01:42 PM

Nope, it's for a narrow body Carrera with Turbo Fuchs so those suggested sizes would probably rub. Thanks for the idea though. : )

KTL · 05-05-2011, 01:55 PM

225/50 and 205/55 should be around for a while, since they're a very common German car tire size. BMW has used those 2 sizes for quite a few years on their cars in large numbers.

245/45 notsomuch. It's definitely becoming a rare bird. This started happening around 2007-208. The 16x8 is going to be the wheel of choice (wearing a 225/50) more so than the 16x9, if a suitable 245 tire isn't readily available in the coming years. Or people will start switching to 17 in. wheels. The Fuchs faithful will not look forward to that.....

All my sources (and i'm sort of a tire nerd) show that the 245/45-16 is only avaiable in mediocre brands. The big names like Bridgestone, Goodyear, Michelin, Yokohama etc. don't support that size any more. That said, if enough demand is shown? A tire manufacturer will produce it.

aschen · 05-05-2011, 02:02 PM

those Fuzions in 245/16/45 are not terrible tires......fine for everday performance use.

Bob Prosser · 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTL

... the 245/45-16 is only avaiable in mediocre brands. The big names like Bridgestone, Goodyear, Michelin, Yokohama etc. don't support that size any more...

This is what I too am finding from my phone calls today.

Looks like the Fuzion ZRi is the only one with a large inventory in these sizes ... from what I read it's noisy, but beggars can't be choosy I guess.

Review here: http://www.tire-review-expert.com/fuzion-zri-tire-review/

gumba · 05-05-2011, 02:59 PM

I was able to track down the T1R 245/45/16's by calling around until I found someone who had them in stock. You also might consider the t1r 225/45/16. There's about 1/2" width difference. The Toyo's seem to run a bit fatter. The t1r 245's are .600" fatter than my 245/17 Goodyear GS-D3.

Bob Prosser · 05-05-2011, 03:10 PM

Okay. I'll think about that. But I hate buying a tire that I know has gone out of production. Thanks.

Darrell E · 05-05-2011, 03:34 PM

You might try calling Wheel Enhancement. They're very knowledgeable about all things Porsche wheel/tire stuff. They stock a lot of tires in Porsche sizes.

Bob Prosser · 05-05-2011, 04:06 PM

Just called Wheel Enhancement. Same story: nothing other than the Fuzion, and they ain't all that great. Dang ...

ScottT80 · 05-05-2011, 04:31 PM

You don't want Fuzion ZRI's.... my wife's Maxima has them... rather noisy tires. I haven't been impressed with them but they were on it when we bought it.

Bob Prosser · 05-05-2011, 04:45 PM

Anyone ever try 245/50/16 instead of 45s? There's a lot more to choose from.

Darrell E · 05-05-2011, 05:09 PM

FWIW, the T1R is still available at 1010tires.com in the sizes you prefer. Not a perfect solution but may hold you over until they start making them again (hopefully!). Going short on 9x16 Fuchs when the market opens tomorrow

NewfieMZ3 · NewfieMZ3's Garage

I just ordered a set of Toyo T1R's in those sizes from 1010 Tire. They haven't shipped yet so I hope they are still available...........at least their website says so. And of course they charged my credit card.

Bob Prosser · 05-05-2011, 07:32 PM

Ya know ... if I search for 205/50/16 & 225/50/16, there are all kinds of choices. (I normally run 245/45 on rear).

Have a look: Tire Search Results

Think they'd mess with speedo/gearing ... and fit?