Need some tire suggestions for a carrera 2!

David Schmidt · 03-31-2015, 10:16 AM

I have a 1990 911 Carrera 2 Coupe in need of some new tires all around. I contacted a local tire dealer to get a quote for four Michelin Primacy HP tires. The front tires are 205/60 R16's and the rears are 225/50 R16's. I was quoted an out the door price of $850, including a $60 freight charge.

After spending a rather large amount of money on a top end rebuild recently, I need to lower my investment in the tires...without sacrificing mileage or performance. So I need some help from the Pelican audience.

Is there anyone out there with some tire knowledge who can recommend a couple of comparable tires that offer GOOD value...GOOD mileage and GOOD performance, wrapped up in a good looking radial tire!

I'm sure a lot of other Pelican Forum visitors would like to know this information as well!

TheSt|G · 03-31-2015, 10:19 AM

Michelin AS/3

More money up front, but the performance is excellent and the value is there given the tread life.

Oh Haha · 03-31-2015, 10:33 AM

I went with Yokahama S-Drive last year. 205/55/16 and 225/50/16. Great traction dry and the times that I have been caught in rain. They are not optimal under 32degrees, though.

Bought mine from TireRack and had them mounted/balanced locally.

darrin · 03-31-2015, 10:55 AM

few thoughts --

1) are you sure your supposed to run 205/60-16 tires up front? I'm seeing 205/55-16 as the stock size

2) Michelin indicates that their Primacy HP tires are "original equipment on luxury touring vehicles like Lexus GS 430, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6" -- Is this the direction you're looking for (softer touring tires vs firmer/more responsive sports car tires)?

3) Each of the suggestions below is a lot cheaper through tire rack than your quoted price above -- Specifically, tirerack lists the Michelin AS/3 at $534+shipping for a set of 4 and the yoko S-Drive at $372 for a set of 4.

4) where are you located and do you plan to drive in cold(er) weather -- the Michelin AS/3 tires are a new all season(ish) offering that folks report provide great performance in both warm and cold weather. the Yokos, as Oh Haha indicates, are summer tires that will get hard and lose grip when driven in cold(er) weather.

I have really enjoyed my continental extreme contact DW summer tires -- they're just above the yokos price-wise (at $402+shipping for a set of 4) but have higher (better) treadwear numbers, suggesting that they MAY last a bit longer.

Brando · Brando's Garage

Try using Discount Tires Direct: Link

Good prices, no/low tax, free shipping. I've used them for all my tires in the last 3 years. You still need to get them mounted & balanced. Take them to an America's Tire Co and they still offer the protection/honor it.

David Schmidt · 03-31-2015, 12:38 PM

I miss-identified the size of the front tires on the Carrera 2. They are in fact 205/55 R16's. I am located in North Florida, so the weather is seldom below 32 degrees.

It does rain periodically during the summer months, but usually for less than 15 to 30 minutes at a time...unless there is an infrequent hurricane. Of course when that happens, we don't drive at all!!!

Most of my driving is normal around the town stuff with occasional trips out of town with speeds averaging around 80 MPH.

I do take occasional fun drives on the expressway when there isn't a lot of traffic, and with the CD playing some nice traveling music (you know what I mean). At the right place, I put my foot deeply into the throttle to hear the harmonic symphony the orchestra is ready to play behind me.

What a sound at lift off!

The Curator · 03-31-2015, 12:48 PM

I use to love Michelin but got tired of the problems in our climate (dry rot, separation, etc). They handle great but I do not care about how to tire deteriorates in our climate.

I am in NC so if you are in FLA you will be exposed to similar conditions. I now run GENERAL (division of Continental) and could not be happier. great handling, they last and no sticker shock at purchase.

darrin · 03-31-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Schmidt

I miss-identified the size of the front tires on the Carrera 2. They are in fact 205/55 R16's. I am located in North Florida, so the weather is seldom below 32 degrees.

It does rain periodically during the summer months, but usually for less than 15 to 30 minutes at a time...unless there is an infrequent hurricane. Of course when that happens, we don't drive at all!!!

Most of my driving is normal around the town stuff with occasional trips out of town with speeds averaging around 80 MPH.

I do take occasional fun drives on the expressway when there isn't a lot of traffic, and with the CD playing some nice traveling music (you know what I mean). At the right place, I put my foot deeply into the throttle to hear the harmonic symphony the orchestra is ready to play behind me.

What a sound at lift off!

Sounds like summer tires would work great for you -- real happy with how the Continental ExtremeContact DW tires have treated me and heartily recommend them for your situation/circumstances.