1972 911S tire replacement

[geobed]

It is time to replace the tires on my 72 911S targa. My question is as 185VR70/15 are not easily available should I go to 195VR65/15 or will 205VR60/15 fit. Also it would be nice to have the original tire supplier. I believe the S was supplied with Michelins and the T & E with Dunlops. By the way this was a european car Bought in Paris and lived in England for half of it's life.

[Rot 911]

The 205's will fit.

[herman maire]

205/60/15 work perfect on my 73.

YOU NEED TO LOWER THE FRONT OF YOUR CAR... and maybe just a little in the back . It will handle way better.

[HarryD]

If you want vintage repros, look up Coker Tire on the web.

[boxster03]

stay with the original size. Splurge and go with Michellins, Dunlops, Perilli or on the cheap do the Vredisteins all readily available in the 185/70.

[berettafan]

is that a Morgan sniffing the S's tailpipe?

[911s55]

I highly recommend the Vredestein Sprint Classic, not exactly cheap, $115-130, but not the outrageous Michelin XWX $300 + each.
Try these sites depending on where you're located. Ask for recent date codes (newest) tires in a set.
http://www.universaltire.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=340
http://www.britishwirewheel.com/
Ditto on the ride height. My car with Vredesteins and has been lowered and corner balanced since photo.

[geobed]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I have to decide on how original I want to go. As it is a user I am tending toward the 195 or 205's. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to the 195 as against 205. Berretafan-yes that is a 64 morgan sniffing the tailpipe Probably looking for extra performance - it's still a blast with the aeroscreens on. Herman I live in Canada also Parksville BC.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by geobed

Thanks for the replies. I guess I have to decide on how original I want to go. As it is a user I am tending toward the 195 or 205's. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to the 195 as against 205. Berretafan-yes that is a 64 morgan sniffing the tailpipe Probably looking for extra performance - it's still a blast with the aeroscreens on. Herman I live in Canada also Parksville BC.

Unless you are interested being period correct and like oversteer, go witht he 205's.

I had 205/60's for my '73 and am now running 205/55's. I have Yoko ES100's and they seem to be very nice. I Autocross monthly and do tours with my family on a regular basis.

The biggest issue is finding tires in this size range that offer some level of grip/performance.

[Trust Me]

I just put Bridgestone 195/65's on my 72'. Very close. They don't break the bank either.

[Trust Me]

oops. Old tires but very close.

[911s55]

Troy; Nice looking car! What's the color? Also what Bridgestones did you go with, I was looking at the RE 960 in a 195/65 before I went with the Vredestein?

geobed; Advantages of 195 vs 205, almost as tall as 185/70= nearly correct speedo, slightly lighter feel in steering and 205's look chubby on the rim to me.

[Soterik]

72S with the Michelins from Coker. Another option is the Avon CR6ZZ, around $200, they need to be warmed up a bit but then stick very nicely. By the way, your targa looks VERY nice!

Eric

[Allen_70S]

Geobed: Nice car. While I was attracted to the topic because of how it relates to my '70, I noticed that your wipers park on the passenger side. Is this a Euro Vs. US (i.e. Eric's photo) difference, or was your system converted?

Al

[geobed]

Allen: Interesting - My car is a Euro model and very original ie 72000miles backed up with full documentation so I don't think its been changed. I have looked through some of my books and I see photo's with wipers parked on both sides! It doesn't seem to be a Euro vs US difference.

[Early_S_Man]

195/65ZR-15 is the Porsche-recommended replacement tire ... and since VW put them on Passats, and Chrysler on PT Cruisers ... they will be available for years to come.

Here is one that meets Porsche specs, Pirelli P6000:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Pirelli&model=P6000&tirePageLocQty=

[geobed]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I notice that tirerack sells Kumho ASX 195/65V15 which apart from being cheap has glowing reviews. Anyone using them?

[geobed]

The reason I like the Kumho's are that they are V rated.

[cmcfaul]

Just keep in the back of your head the smaller the side wall the higher the actual gear ratio.

I went from the stock 185/70/15 to 205/60/15 and it's noticable. It takes about 4500 rpm to run 60 / 70 MPH. An increase of close to 1,000 RPM. This may be a plus in quickness but a PIA for long highway trips.

Just my 2 cents.

Chris
73 911 E

[geobed]

Hi chris thanks for that. I know there is approx 1% difference between the 185/70 and 195/65 and approx. 2% with the 205/60 but I did not know the practical differences.