Tire choice for 15" Fuchs wheels

[haroldina]

I've got an '84 N/A and I seriously need new tires for it, but I'm having trouble finding anything in the stock size and speed rating that's any more than a soft passenger tire. Tire Rack has the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Positions with an H speed rating (and I'm sure not going to be hitting 130 mph any time soon), but apart from that, they all look pretty lackluster.

I was hoping to use the Dunlop Star Specs, but the closest size they have is 205/50-15. It feels wrong to go with a tire that much smaller than stock and I don't want to deal with a speedo that's off by that much.

Anybody have experience with those Bridgestones? Any other tires to recommend for Summer-only service on 15s?

I'd go up to 17" wheels, but that's not in the budget for a while yet. Plus, I really like the Fuchs.

[2001f4s]

Not sure about the size, but Kumho Ecsta XS are supposed to be way sticky. Check Tire Rack or Discount Tire. They both sell them.

[haroldina]

Originally Posted by 2001f4s

Not sure about the size, but Kumho Ecsta XS are supposed to be way sticky. Check Tire Rack or Discount Tire. They both sell them.

Not in that size. I've looked through all the stock-size tires they have. I'm really looking for suggestions on a tire in either the stock size or a close diameter without losing section width.

Apart from that, the Ecsta XS appears to be crap in the wet. Since I'm not looking for an autocross tire, I'll need something that can handle rain, too.

[gpotts200]

I'd try the Goodyear Eagle GT in the stock size. I have them on my daily driver and they are a good all around tire.

[ernie9944]

May I suggest you look at the (Falken ZIEX ZE 912)they have them in 205-60 R15 & 225-60R15.They migth not be a super higth performance tire, but the way I read you your looking for an all around tire which will have good traction on either dry or wet surface plus decent tread wear.As far as speed rating I'm sure your not gone to substain speed over 125 mph for long periode of time with that good old 944.I've got a friend who has a 2.7 -85 & we reach speed of over 135 mph on R rated a couple a time & LOL the tires didn't disintegrated on us. ZIEX ZE 912

[mayPOR944]

Yohkahams AVS-100

[djnolan]

One thing I know is an H rated tire will corner better than an R rated tire due to the stiffer sidewall. As I recall from my GM days a Goodyear Eagle GT HR had two extra plys all around and although my v6 firebird never got close to 130MPH max rating I still appreciated the H rated tire for the stiffer sidewall and better handling. I know in the past cooper, goodrich and goodyear sold H rated tires but you had to ask for them. I am not sure what the situation is today with tougher aggressive driver laws in many states.


L 75 mph 120 km/h Off-Road & Light Truck Tires
M 81 mph 130 km/h
N 87 mph 140km/h Temporary Spare Tires
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

[haroldina]

Originally Posted by djnolan

One thing I know is an H rated tire will corner better than an R rated tire due to the stiffer sidewall. As I recall from my GM days a Goodyear Eagle GT HR had two extra plys all around and although my v6 firebird never got close to 130MPH max rating I still appreciated the H rated tire for the stiffer sidewall and better handling. I know in the past cooper, goodrich and goodyear sold H rated tires but you had to ask for them. I am not sure what the situation is today with tougher aggressive driver laws in many states.

The speed rating isn't coded into the size anymore. The R in those tire sizes is actually for "radial". All of the tires I'm looking at are at least H-rated and, of course, radials.

[gpotts200]

The Goodyear GT is a v speed rated tire in this size. It is available in a h or v in gt series.

[haroldina]

Originally Posted by gpotts200

The Goodyear GT is a v speed rated tire in this size. It is available in a h or v in gt series.

In which size? Tire Rack doesn't show it in the stock size of 215/60-15 and Goodyear's site doesn't show ANY tires in that size. The closest I can find for that tire is 205/65-15. As I mentioned, I don't want to go with a narrower tire.

[gpotts200]

Superbuytires.com has them in 215/60r15, as does sear's and several others online

[Izzy Does It]

I have Yokohama ES100 mounted on all 4 corners -staggered Fuchs. (215/60R15 94V) Treadwear 280; Traction AA; Temperature A.

[haroldina]

Originally Posted by Izzy Does It

I have Yokohama ES100 mounted on all 4 corners -staggered Fuchs. (215/60R15 94V) Treadwear 280; Traction AA; Temperature A.

OK, but how do you like them? I've got Kumho Ecsta ASTs on my Focus, but that doesn't mean I think they're good tires. In fact, I can't wait for them to be out of tread so I can justify replacing them.

[racer]

If you are just using on the street, nearly any tire in the correct size will be as good or better than what these cars came with 20+ years ago.

You don't mention how you will use the tires (ie, daily drive, ax etc) and you don't mention a preference for stock 215-60-15 or perhaps a slightly larger 225 width tire.

I have some Fuzion Zris on my 17" wheels, and given the performance they provide, has me considering their HRis when I get a set of 15" phone dials for street duty., likely in 215-60-15.

I'll save for some 225-50 or 225-45 for my AX/DE tires

[The Glademister]

Originally Posted by ernie9944

May I suggest you look at the (Falken ZIEX ZE 912)they have them in 205-60 R15 & 225-60R15.They migth not be a super higth performance tire, but the way I read you your looking for an all around tire which will have good traction on either dry or wet surface plus decent tread wear.As far as speed rating I'm sure your not gone to substain speed over 125 mph for long periode of time with that good old 944.I've got a friend who has a 2.7 -85 & we reach speed of over 135 mph on R rated a couple a time & LOL the tires didn't disintegrated on us. ZIEX ZE 912

Those are great tires. I had them on a '87 951 and I really liked them. Good price too!

[AA_Ezra]

I loved my Falken ziex 512 and i am looking for new tires too.
are the 15" fuchs wider than cookie cutters?

I didn't know you could run a different tire does it throw off the speedo that much?

215/60 and 225/60 if my math is correct makes the 225/60 tire about 1/4" taller right?

[AA_Ezra]

Originally Posted by gpotts200

Superbuytires.com has them in 215/60r15, as does sear's and several others online

they also have the falken in that size

[The Glademister]

Originally Posted by AA_Ezra

I loved my Falken ziex 512 and i am looking for new tires too.
are the 15" fuchs wider than cookie cutters?

I didn't know you could run a different tire does it throw off the speedo that much?

215/60 and 225/60 if my math is correct makes the 225/60 tire about 1/4" taller right?

215/60/14 overall diameter 2008 mm
225/60/15 overall diameter 2045 mm
1.9% larger speedo displays 62.1 mph, actual speed 63.3 mph

[AA_Ezra]

BTW!!! Sears has the falken 912 on special buy 3 get the 4th free
Total cost 442$ installed for the 215/60/r15