My first 911. Ongoing questions and updates.

[sugarwood]

I recently purchased a 1986 coupe. It's in very nice condition, and I'll post a few pictures soon. I am looking forward to learning more about the car, and started this thread to corral the imminent battery of questions that will arise.

Considering this forum is a decade old, the archives are quite useful. Most questions will be answered by simply using Google, since odds are it's already been asked. But, sometimes I like to ask a question myself so that is answered by a human being in in real-time. A 2-way conversation is more dynamic process than finding the answer to a static question.

If you enjoy sharing your years of experience and knowledge with a newcomer, or just offering some words of encouragement for a small maintenance project, I look forward to hearing from you.

Post #1: Keep the 9x16 wheels and tires?
Post #16: Leather conditioner?
...

[sugarwood]

Here is my first question. The car needs 4 new tires. But....

I have 205/55/16 in the front, 245/45/16 in the back. This means the last owner bought Fuchs 9's and moved the 7's up front, and 9's in back, right? The car also came with original 6's that were in front. So, I have 6 wheels in total.

Should I keep the 9's? There is only one seller of 245/45/16 which is Bridgestone Potenza for $195/ea shipped. That will last me 5-6 years, right?

Who would sell the 9" Fuchs and revert back to running 6's and 7's? I am not a tire or oil purist, but this would give me more tire choices and a lower price point. Plus, I'd capture the value of the 9's before they become extinct? This would also clear some garage space by not having to store 2 spare wheels that I may never use.

[86 ssinit]

No pictures means no car. I'd keep the 9s car just looks better. Good luck with it and come on where's the pictures.

[boss11]

welcome to the forum! as above, it's mandatory to post a pic when introducing yourself - we LOVE pics!!

7s and 9s is a very desirable look, I would leave the 6s in the garage and happily spend $195 a tyre for 245s - it is a Porsche after all

[Jim Rummy]

Continentals fit my 9s over here in the land of poor dentistry - surprised you can't get them stateside

[megerian]

Its also no guarantee that you have 9s in the back. Some folks use 245/45/16 on an 8 inch wheel.

So its possible you have 6, 7, and 8s.

[DWeg1998]

I wouldn't get rid of the 6s if your 8/9s are knockoffs. Post a picture of the inside of the wheel if you are unsure.

[TheSt|G]

Check out Michelin Classic, they have a tire in your rear specs:

SX MXX3 N2 | Michelin Classic

[mshaver51]

I am not an expert in anything, but I'm currently restoring a SWB car, and authenticity/originality are the overwhelming issues. I see other guys spending LARGE $$$ to re-convert a short hood back to a long hood, and to find the original engine, long since separated.

You didn't say whether your car was original and matching numbers (except for the wheels). While the SWB cars are gaining value right now, I expect that the mid-year cars will get 'jumped over' and the '78-'88 cars will become the next focus of enthusiasts. The SC and Carreras are just superior cars.

So, in sharing thoughts, and with an eye toward the future, I would suggest that, if your car is otherwise original and matching #s, I would keep everything that is original. The 9s look good, so roll with them for now and spend the extra few $$, but preserve the ability to go back and make it original and correct.

Again, I'm no expert on anything...

[NYNick]

If they're original 9"s, you've got a very de$irable wheel and look on your car.
7's and 9's are the way to go.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by megerian

Its also no guarantee that you have 9s in the back. Some folks use 245/45/16 on an 8 inch wheel.
So its possible you have 6, 7, and 8s.

Originally Posted by DWeg1998

I wouldn't get rid of the 6s if your 8/9s are knockoffs. Post a picture of the inside of the wheel if you are unsure.

They are Fuchs 9x16. I have the receipt from the seller. He paid a pretty penny.

Originally Posted by mshaver51

You didn't say whether your car was original and matching numbers (except for the wheels).

So, in sharing thoughts, and with an eye toward the future, I would suggest that, if your car is otherwise original and matching #s, I would keep everything that is original.

The car is mostly original, but has a few changes including headers/SSI, cold air intake, radio, and tower bar.

Originally Posted by NYNick

If they're original 9"s, you've got a very de$irable wheel and look on your car.
7's and 9's are the way to go.

In favor of keeping the 9x16, it seems to be a desirable update. The upside is that it looks better, and I'm respecting the previous owners intent. It also, saves me the hassle of selling the 9x16 wheels.

In the negatives column, keeping the 9's would mean having to make room to store the 6x16's, which increases clutter. Rear tires 9's are twice the cost of 7's. Very limited tire selection. Selling the 9's is tempting bc that would fund quite a bit of maintenance. If Bridgestone stopped making the RE-11 245/24/16, the value of the 9's would vanish overnight.

Tough call, but I appreciate all the feedback. Many more questions to follow.

[Longman]

nothing wrong with fitting 225 50 16's on your 9,s

[atc_marty]

Originally Posted by 86 ssinit

no pictures means no car. I'd keep the 9s car just looks better. Good luck with it and come on where's the pictures.

+1

[sugarwood]

Pics next time I drive the car!

Originally Posted by Longman

nothing wrong with fitting 225 50 16's on your 9,s

Didn't 225/50/16 come on the 7's? They also fit on the 9's? If I install stock 7's tires on 9's, does it defeat the purpose of having 9's? If I were to run 225/50/16 in the rear, would it make more sense to just sell the 9s and run 6's and 7's? If I keep the 9's, I will just get 245/45/16 for the full effect. I do appreciate your suggestion, b/c it provides another option if there were no more 245/45/16 being made.

This does make me curious about something: How would 7x16 fitted with 225/50/16 differ from 9x16 fitted with the same tire?

[NYNick]

Go ahead and sell the 9's. They'll go in two minutes.
One word:
Don't.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[sugarwood]

I love Nick's conviction. Ok, I'll keep the 9's ;-)

Next question: Leather conditioner. The interior is very good, and I'd like to keep it that way.
There is some light wear and dryness on the seat bolster that I'd like to halt.
I'd like to condition the entire interior.

It seems like Lexol and Leatherique are the top choices. Anyone have a strong opinion on this?
Can I use it to condition the door panels, dashboard, rear deck as well?

What about dying a small section of the worn seat bolster? What would do you use?

[sc enthusiast]

+1 on Leatherique products, amazing results

[irobertson]

Hi sugarwood and welcome.
I recently put my car back on the road and I have 7 & 8 inch Fuchs on my car with RE 11s.
205/55/16 on the front and 245/45/16 on the-rear.
I like them so far.
They feel good in the wet too.

8s and 9s look very similar from the front.
Check the stamping on the back side to be sure.
Here is a pic of the stamping on my 8s.



BTW... Where are the pics dude??!!

[will hung]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Check out Michelin Classic, they have a tire in your rear specs:

SX MXX3 N2 | Michelin Classic

This is a sweet link with some really cool looking tires. Anybody know the performance specs or price?

For the original question. People have run 225/50 on 9's. Stretching the tires over the wider wheels provides 2 performance advantages.
1. Theoretically, stretching the tire will cause less sidewall flex which will improve the directness feeling during directional changes.
2. The wider track offered by the 7's and 9's will improve handling, even if wearing the same sized rubber.

But more importantly, the 7's and 9's improve the look of the car. 9's are ungodly rare and expensive. You're already there. Even if tires are no longer available, because they were original equipment on 930's and 930's are sky rocketing in value, the value of 9" Fuchs will always increase. And as 930's keep increasing in value, somebody will produce a tire for them. Even if it's a specialty, limited run tire. Look at the 9" and 11" x 15" RSR Fuchs. You can only get vintage racing tires to fit them, but they keep going up in value.

The rear flares on an SC or Carrera are very similar in contour to a 1973 Carrera RS. The RS, the Carreras of 74 - 76, and the Carrera 3.o of 76-77 were all offered with 8" rear Fuchs from the factory as an option. When the SC arrived with its rear flares, most were disappointed by the lack of wider rear wheels options. Not just for the option of wider rubber, but from an appearance standpoint.

Due to their offsets and widths, 9" Fuchs have a very similar frontspace as an 8" Fuchs, so they fill the rear fenders similarly. But the 9" Fuchs fill the fenders more. The outside lip of a 9" Fuchs is 8.3mm closer to the fender than an 8" Fuchs.

[nickyclyde]

205's came on the 7's. I've kept them and not gone wider as these cars are hard enough to maneuver at low speed without going wider. 245' s run out of stock pretty often and become scarce. Then a tire company ,lately Bridgestone , runs off a batch. I don't see them becoming NLA any time soon. Car looks good with 8's in the rear ,really good with 9's and 245's. As for the clutter situation , can't help you there.