Another "help me find a tire" thread
 

Same old story. I've had my car for about 11 years. For about 8 years it's been sitting whilst I restore it. Now I am almost done and I am finding out how hard it is to find new "rubber."

The car is '72 911T. The fuchs are 16" x 7" and the tires on the car when purchased were Yokohamas S305 195/60, but they are cracked and in bad shape. In Montgomery AL the selection is very thin, but once dealer has the following tires available in this size:

Bridgestone Teranza EL-400 02
Continental Conti Wintercontact TS 810
Dunlop SP Sport 5000
Hankook Optima H426
Michelin Energy Saver
Kuhmo ECSTA PA31
Bridgestone Blezzak WS80
Michelin X-ICE X13

So...I am assuming that none are great, some are terrible, and hopefully a few are good. Any opinions or recommendations?

Kuhmo or keep looking

second the Kuhmos

195 is the minimum tyre width for your wheels whilst 205 and 215 are recommended and 225 maximum so I would look at 205 or 215 and see whether you have a wider selection available.
I have standard 6"*15" Fuchs and run 205s on my 71T.

Hope that helps

Cheers, Neil

Tirerack delivered in a day or so.......I run Bridgestone RE-11 205 on my 16x7 fronts.

You know I never really thought much of khumo tires no real reason for my negative perception. anyways the po of my carrera surprised me when I picked it up . Look I got you new tires I thought to myself well they are new but I would have bought Bridgestones. Of Course I thanked him like crazy.

I have to say they have been the best riding quietest tire I have had on a 911! I am impressed and will buy them again.

So my vote is the khumo

Why not order from TireRack? They seem to have a lot of choices... Bought mine there and had it installed locally.

Is this a car you plan to drive much or is it destined to be a show car?

Coker tire sells brand new tires just like what was available for it new.

https://www.cokertire.com/catalogsearch/result/?header_year=1972&header_make=PORSCHE&header_model =29-Jun&q=185%2F70R15

The prices are HIGH but if you want authentic restoration they do have an solution.

Michelin XWX are "only" 312 each. Gulp. I remember when those were THE hot tire for street cars.

Thanks for the replies. I have to admit to my stupidity...the wheels are actually 15". I made the mistake of measuring the wheel diameter with a tape measure instead of just looking on the tire!

$312 each is too steep for me as I need 5 tires (including the spare). The car had Yokohamas when I bought it, which I liked, but they now have lots of cracks and are unroadworthy.

I read previous posts that suggested 195/60 tires were sufficient to keep the oversteer to a minimum in brisk driving. I am not intending to do much, if any, driving on the track.

I'll take a look at Tire Rack and see what they have.

since the OP just confirmed he's running 15 inch (and not 16 inch) wheels, i'm tying this thread to a similar thread http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/952141-1973-911-tire-choice.html

To have your Speedo read correctly, the tire sizes you want are:
185/70-15
195/65-15
205/60-15.

Per Tirerack.com, they offer a BFGoodrich Radial T/A in 205/60-15. I would go with that.

Second this decision. The RE-11 is a very good tire.

Wow...There's a lot to digest about tires on the forum! I appreciate the input. I am not really interested in racing or autocrossing. I want a tire that handles well for daily and occasionally spirited driving on the street. Here is a revised list I've narrowed down from reading and recommendations. I'd like to stay with 195/60-15 which previously gave me good grip, handling and ride. Opinions?

Yokohama AVID ASCEND
BF Goodrich Advantage T/A Sport
Kumho ECSTA LX Platinum
Bridgestone RE-11

I guess I'm one of the only still using Yoko Advan on my 72. 205X50X15, been using them for years. 180 thread wear so nice at the track or autox. Price is reasonable, less than $150 I think, and wear on my 2200lb car is good.

Bridgestone RE-11 is not available in 15"

The Pirelli Cinturato CN36 is available in oem sizes for early cars and has Porsche's N4 stamp of approval. They aren't cheap but they have excellent reviews.