Tires for 911 Carrera 3.2

[blvendittelli]

Hi Gang,

New to the forum. I have a 1987 911 Sunroof coupe with the 16" Fuchs option. I am updating my tires. I am looking for a performance street tire for the street and also DE/Track events. I am currently running 245/50/R16 in the back and 205's in the front.

My questions:
1. Should I drop down to 225's in the back or stick with 245's? Any decrease in performance with 245's vs 225's
2. I am looking at the following tires:
Bridgestone RE-11A Front 205/55R16 Rear 225/50R16
or
BF Goodrich G-Force Sport Comp 2 Front 205/55R16 Rear 245/50R16

Any thoughts on this?

Much appreciated.

Bruno Vendittelli
Toronto, Canada

[Tremelune]

The 245/50R16 has a diameter that is 3% larger than 205/55R16...Different enough that it would be better to go with 225. Others will chime in.

I've read good things about both tires listed.

[JAR0023]

RE-11 is available in 245/45r16 that was the factory fitment for 9" wheels. -J

[blvendittelli]

Originally Posted by Tremelune

The 245/50R16 has a diameter that is 3% larger than 205/55R16...Different enough that it would be better to go with 225. Others will chime in.

I've read good things about both tires listed.

Hi Tremelune. Thanks for the response. Did you mean that the 245's are 3% larger than the 225's? Or did you mean go with 225's on the front and 245's on the rear?

[cashman]

I run 205 FR, 225R on 6" and 8" Rims. I find the car to be very balanced with these sizes. I debated 245 Rear but upon recommendations from for the forum I stayed with 225. I think the better combo is 225 FR and 245R but you should have 7" and 8" Rims or better yet 9" on the back. You may also have to roll the front to get the 225 to fit. Tough decision but I don't think you'll be disappointed with 225 back. They are cheaper and there are more options too.

[Tremelune]

The former. I don't believe 205/55 and 245/50 should be run together.

Tire size calculator

People have differing opinions, but I think you want to stay within 1% diameter difference with front/rear tires (even on these old cars). Some say you should try to stay close to the stock diameter always, though it is common for both front and rear tires to be larger or smaller to effect gearing.

If you want a wider rear, 255/45 is the way to go, but you will be limited by the width of the wheel if they are stock. I don't believe any non-Turbos came with rear wheels wider than 8".

[Tremelune]

That was a long-winded way of saying, if you have stock wheels, stick with 205/55R16 up front and 225/50R16 in the rear.

[blvendittelli]

Thanks everyone. By your answers, I will be going with 205's in the front and 225's in the back. Any preference on Bridgestone R11E's vs. BF Goodrich G-Force Sport Comp?

[kanadary]

i have that combo, 205 and 225 and i went to toyo. cheaper than michelin.

[Porchcar guy]

Look at Kuhmo, I have these on 4 different vehicles, SC, Magnum, Camaro and RX-7. Love the ride, the quiet and the stickability as well as the price.

[mclmk8d]

f you're going with 205s and 225s, look at the Continental Extreme Contact DW in that size; I had them on my old wheels and they were great in the downpours we have here in South Florida and really good dry grip; quiet also.
205s
Continental*ExtremeContact DW
225s
Continental*ExtremeContact DW

I'm running RE-11s, 225/50-16s in the front and 245/45-16s in the rear.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by mclmk8d

f you're going with 205s and 225s, look at the Continental Extreme Contact DW in that size; I had them on my old wheels and they were great in the downpours we have here in South Florida and really good dry grip; quiet also.
205s
Continental*ExtremeContact DW
225s
Continental*ExtremeContact DW

I'm running RE-11s, 225/50-16s in the front and 245/45-16s in the rear.

Continentals - same tires I've got.

[Driven97]

The RE-11a are extremely sticky. You'll get near r-comp performance with the tradeoff of shorter life, increased noise, harshness, and decreased heavy rain performance.

The sport comps will last 3x as long and be more comfortable but not nearly as sticky.

[ganun]

The thing about tires is how they age, with Michelins they will ride just as smooth when almost bald as when they were new, ask me how I know. I have Michelins Pilot Exalto PE2 on stock 16" rims, 87 Carrera. These particular tires have the Porsche factory recommendation, and it must be for a reason. But BTW, I don`t DE the car, just want the ride quality. See Tire Rk.

[wes_r]

I run Toyo RA-1's 225/50/16 in the front and 245/45/16 in the rear with no issues. Fun tires, very sticky! PO tracked the car and I replaced the rears 10 months after I bought the car, only to have to replace the fronts due to squirrely steering (from differing tread wear)

Will probably replace with a cheaper street tire next year when they wear out.

[blvendittelli]

Thanks all. For those who are running 225's in the front and 245's in the rear, did you have to roll the front fenders or do the 225's fit well? Also, any difference in performance between 205/225 combo vs. 225/245 combo?

[wes_r]

Originally Posted by blvendittelli

Thanks all. For those who are running 225's in the front and 245's in the rear, did you have to roll the front fenders or do the 225's fit well? Also, any difference in performance between 205/225 combo vs. 225/245 combo?

The PO rolled the fenders so it was already taken care of. But I had to raise the car from Euro height (to just under "US" height) because I was getting rubbing when cornering.

Performance-wise I can't compare the 205/225 combo as I've only had the 225/245's on my car, but do really enjoy the handling. The Toyo RA1's are hard to break loose. That said, I would imagine there are more "comfortable" street tires out there that offer similar grip.