16" Tires

[reclino]

So let's say I just sent the below message to Continental tire company. How many turbo owners are unhappy with the tire selection available in the US compared to Europe?
I wonder what it costs to ship a container full of tires over?

Subject
16" max performance tires for 1986 Porsche 911 TURBO
I would like to purchase Continental SportContact 245/45ZR16 94Y N2 , and 205/55ZR5516 91Y N2 in large quantities as a group buy for a Porsche 911 turbo club. How would I set this up? These tires are available in Germany and in the UK but not here in the USA.

[Mr. Merk]

Same. I was pretty upset when the RE11s disappeared from my tirerack shopping cart. I cornered the Bridgestone rep at Porsche Palooza and he told me what happened. They were supposed to have a new tire out by now but it got axed in the 245/45R16 size.

See my thread here:
https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-autocross-track-racing/976813-245-45r16-re-11-discontinued.html

[full quack]

Technically, tires need to be DOT approved for use on US highways in order to be imported into the US. You can clearly see the DOT approval Certification # embossed right on the tire from the mold.
So if the tires you speak of, have not gone through the DOT approval process, no tire company will be willing to import the tires into the US for highway usage.

There may still be a slim possibility you could buy and get them, if you were to sign some kind of a disclaimer stating that they would never be used on US public roads.

However, I think you would definitely have far better luck making a snowman in hell, than to have a tire company do this for you. There is just ZERO benefit for them to entertain your wishes.

My .02 worth.

Mark

[reclino]

Their was response was........



Thank you for contacting Customer Relations at Continental Tire the Americas, LLC.

In order to further assist you , please contact our Commercial Department @ 61*-***-****.

Thank You,

Customer Relations


Do you want to build a snowman ☃️?

[mark houghton]

We're all focked...odd ball tires for an odd ball car. Nobody loves us any more. I just can't convince myself to upgrade (is it really an upgrade?) to larger wheels to fit more standard tires. Originality at some point will have to take a back seat I guess.

[356911930]

What about Toyo Proxes T1R? Looks like Tire Rack has them 245-45-16

Rahl

[full quack]

Mr. Houghton....I'm surprised at your comment, you have been around long enough to have heard and read all the accolades about tires and rims.

Yes, moving to 17" rims or larger does change the aesthetics of the car for the better/bad/indifferent, that's a individuals personal opinion.

However, a 930 shod with quality modern tires, there is NO personal opinion when it comes to handling, grip, braking performance. The difference is simply outstanding, phenomenal.
Once you take the plunge, you will start kicking yourself for not having done it years upon years ago.

Like I've said before...hang the Fuchs on the wall, and step up the game!

17" fronts give you great choices in tires, 17" rears give you slightly less choices, 18" rears opens the doors to many choices. This is the main reason I went with staggered front , rear rim diameters {plus it gives the car that kinda 935 stagger look}.

Mark

[full quack]

Reclino,

Hummm....their reply smells like standard corporate pass the buck fodder.

Give the number a call, and report back to us as to what you find...maybe they are whiling to lend a hand??

Go over to the Rennlist forum and do a survey about how many folks would be interested in the tires, the guys over there are way more into stock or stock appearing cars than the bunch over here at Pelican.

Who knows, if the numbers are good, the tire company may just come out to play.

Mark

[JFairman]

True. I doubt they threw away the machine and molds that makes them.. they're probably still around getting dusty.

[Cornerlot]

Originally Posted by 356911930

What about Toyo Proxes T1R? Looks like Tire Rack has them 245-45-16

Rahl

Thats' what I bought, the only street tires available in that size in the US.

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by Cornerlot

Thats' what I bought, the only street tires available in that size in the US.

There are the PIRELLI P ZERO ROSSOs but they have a completely uninspiring tread design and are twice the price.


Again, I went with the TOYO PROXES R888R. Maybe not the most practical but for the price....well, as you know there are not a lot of options

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by Mr. Merk

There are the PIRELLI P ZERO ROSSOs but they have a completely uninspiring tread design and are twice the price.


Again, I went with the TOYO PROXES R888R. Maybe not the most practical but for the price....well, as you know there are not a lot of options

I have the proxies. I like them. not too loud, stick well, ok in the wet (I don't drive the p car in the wet much and then not hard), and very well behaved when sticking the back end out.

the only problem I had was there was no road hazard warranty available since they aren't strictly a street tire and I hit a nail literally the next day out and trashed one :-(

[Alexm930]

Truth be told upgrading to 17" RUF wheels makes for a better handling car while remaining period correct. Plenty of sneakers to chose from in 17" flavor.

[full quack]

True the RUF's give you the 17" tire benefit. However they are god awful heavy.

With a more modern wheel selection, you also get the added benefit of lighter weight.

The less un-sprung weight the better!

Mark

[porche]

.
I wish Pirelli would start remanufacturing the proper Cinturano P7's in 16" for our early 3.0 and 3.3 930's.
.

[SBK930]

Still working toward getting my 16 inch rims ready.

Found some rubber to fit.

Rears 255 Fronts 215

[356911930]

SBK930,

26.5" diameter is a pretty tall tire for 930 gearing. Should be more like 25" diameter. A 255/45/16 would be just about right at 25" overall diameter, maybe a little more as their 255/50 seems to run a little large in diameter.

Rahl

[SBK930]

Originally Posted by 356911930

SBK930,

26.5" diameter is a pretty tall tire for 930 gearing. Should be more like 25" diameter. A 255/45/16 would be just about right at 25" overall diameter, maybe a little more as their 255/50 seems to run a little large in diameter.

Rahl

Currently running Toyo Proxes TR1s 255/40 rear on 17 inch wheels which measure 24.75”.

The tires on the 16 inch rims front are Khumo 225/50 and measure 24.5”.

Rahl.....what would be the issues with the 26.5” tires

[356911930]

^^^

It will reduce effective torque of the engine, like swapping ring and pinion gears out in the transmission. Probably not much of a concern on the street, but let us know when you get them.

Rahl

[LOWFAT]

The choice's for 315/35/17's are getting to be slim pickins also. Looks like I'll be going with the R888's as well this year and see how they do. They no longer make the Kumho Ecsta xs in my sizes anymore and I loved those.