2021 16" tire decision

[vmb]

I searched as best I could, and it seems like the last discussion on 16" tire sizes was in 2019? Anyhow, it's time for new tires. I have 7" & 9" fuchs, currently with the same RA1's in 225/50 and 245/45 that came on the car when I bought it in 2008 (!). A few choices in that size on Tire Rack, but there are many many more in the OEM 205/55 and 225/50 sizes. I will just be driving on the street to cars and coffee, and maybe my short commute to work, and other short drives for conservative fun. I have not autocrossed nor tracked the car in 8-9 years, no time in this current life stage with kids sports on weekends. So, does anyone have experience to help me decide between the sizes? Let's start with the Advan A052 in the larger size vs. the RE-71R in the smaller size, but I am not locked into anything.

Thanks!

[908/930]

I will be looking for tires soon enough, looks like Bridgestone makes a Potenza sport in a 245/45/r16 and 205/55/r16. Not V rated though.

[GregPV]

Just bought some 2weeks ago up here in Canada . A bit pricey. 225 50 ZR 16 and 245 45 ZR 16 .
Pirelli Pzero Rosso Asimmetr . Directional tires . Good luck .

[Andre930]

I have Toyo TR1 recently installed..still have to try them for some km’s..
They seem not bad for the moment...

[anoesia]

I run the A052's. Same sizes as your Fuchs and RA1's. 1982 930 in the northeast US.
Few days a week driver, spring to fall, mostly interstate commute with some backroad spirited driving for fun.
VERY happy with the dry traction. They grab pebbles and throw them up into the wheel wells if this matters to you.
Poor in the rain. Damp pavement is fine but once it has the wet "sheen" on the surface, it feels like winter driving on all seasons.
Treadwear as expected for this class of tires. The fronts last at least twice as long as the rears. I first mounted them all last spring and had to replace the rears in the early fall. Now nearing wear bars on rear again.
Overall, I am very happy with them but will look into buying 17" wheels at some point to widen my choices. I plan on replacing my rears with them again. On another vehicle, I have been happy with Pilot Sport 4S (my favorite tire ever) and ExtremeContisports. I think both feel better in the wet without giving up much in the dry.

[Gianni at Pelican Parts]

Recently picked up a set of Falken RT615K+ for the 14s on my E30, looks like they are available in 215/45/16 or 225/50/16 as well.

3 track days on them, really happy with the level of grip and how they have worn.

[vmb]

Thanks for all the comments. Anyone have experience with tires in the 205/55 and 225/50 combo?

[David]

Originally Posted by vmb

Thanks for all the comments. Anyone have experience with tires in the 205/55 and 225/50 combo?

Tires are so much stickier than they were in 1979 that your performance with these stock sizes on a relatively stock engine 930 should be great.

When I go play in the Texas hill country with my super wide 17" tires, I'm envious of how the stock size tire guys seem to dance through the narrow back road turns.

[vmb]

Originally Posted by David

Tires are so much stickier than they were in 1979 that your performance with these stock sizes on a relatively stock engine 930 should be great.

When I go play in the Texas hill country with my super wide 17" tires, I'm envious of how the stock size tire guys seem to dance through the narrow back road turns.

Thanks. This makes sense for my current driving style. And since with my mods the car is completely outclassed for autocross, I would not be competing for points if I ever got back into that.

[gsxrken]

Post up what you buy and how you like them. Like most here, I run 17s now for tire choices and have the Fuch’s tucked away in storage. I wouldn’t mind having the option to bolt them on now and then. The car feels lighter / turns in quicker with them.

[Dominik 930]

I'm driving yokohama this year, they are from 2020

Originally Posted by gsxrken

Post up what you buy and how you like them. Like most here, I run 17s now for tire choices and have the Fuch’s tucked away in storage. I wouldn’t mind having the option to bolt them on now and then. The car feels lighter / turns in quicker with them.