9x16 Tires? Moving back to US...from Germany.

[Bitte ein Bit]

I have been in Germany for the past 5 years (one trip home in 2017 to check on car, etc...) and have been storing my 1986 911. Going to need new tires and was wondering the availability back in the US/NA for 7x16f and 9x16r?

I have checked Tire Rack and see options...but with that said, I remember back in 2010-2013, or so, there were issues with availability and am just wondering if I should source here in Germany and ship home with me or not worry and order from a distributor back in the US.

Is the 9x16 tire availability still an issue?

On it now are (according to old Tire Rack invoice):
Toyo Proxes R1R 205/50 R16 (f)
Toyo Proxes T1R 245/45 R16 (r)

...these were what was available at the time for storage.

I will be back in January, and was going to order to have waiting for me.

Thanks for the input and I know this has been discussed through the years...most threads are a few years old or deal with 944's running Fuchs.

Again, thank you everyone.

Erik

[tratza]

Still a limited size. Early this year I replaced mine (1987 with 7 and 8's) with Toyo Proxes R888R DOT approved comp tire. I do not drive the car in the rain. Sunny days only of which we haven't had many recently. I have two other cars for the rain. The Proxes are relatively inexpensive so plan on replacement every couple of years. Grip is enormous which is great since I live in the Texas hill country and enjoy driving on the roads here with no particular place to go like in the Chuck Berry song

[Bitte ein Bit]

Thanks tratza...

I'll be moving back to SA, TX coincidentally, so good to know. Options have always been limited especially with the rears being 9x16's.

Again, thanks...I'll be driving a black coupe w/tail. Hope to catch you on the road sometime

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Bitte ein Bit

I have been in Germany for the past 5 years (one trip home in 2017 to check on car, etc...) and have been storing my 1986 911. Going to need new tires and was wondering the availability back in the US/NA for 7x16f and 9x16r?

I have checked Tire Rack and see options...but with that said, I remember back in 2010-2013, or so, there were issues with availability and am just wondering if I should source here in Germany and ship home with me or not worry and order from a distributor back in the US.

Is the 9x16 tire availability still an issue?

On it now are (according to old Tire Rack invoice):
Toyo Proxes R1R 205/50 R16 (f)
Toyo Proxes T1R 245/45 R16 (r)

...these were what was available at the time for storage.

I will be back in January, and was going to order to have waiting for me.

Thanks for the input and I know this has been discussed through the years...most threads are a few years old or deal with 944's running Fuchs.

Again, thank you everyone.

Erik

I'm not understanding why you want to use 2 different tire lines

currently RA1 is available 225/50 & 245/45 x16, These are DoT Rs but will be fine for dry street use

888s are available in 205/50 or /55 or even 225/45 & 245/45 x16, again DoT R but fine for dry street use

T1R is a street tires available in 225/50 & 245/45 x16
Pirelli P Zero Rosso is another street tire in 205/55 225/50 & 245/45 x16

note that 225/50 on 7ET23.3 fronts can be tight depending on suspension setup & spec

[Bitte ein Bit]

When I flew home to check on the 911 after 30 months of storage those two types were the only thing in stock on short notice as I wanted to pull the car and do a road trip.

I was happy just to have the same brand, but no, at the time, two years ago, couldn't get same style front and rear.

First time in my 30 years of driving I've not had a "matching" set. Close enough at the time especially as it was going back into storage for another 2 years.

Should have clarified, good question though. Hopefully this time I can get all matching. Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

Overall sounds like Tire Rack is still the place to get tires for these.

Again, thank you!
Erik

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Bitte ein Bit

When I flew home to check on the 911 after 30 months of storage those two types were the only thing in stock on short notice as I wanted to pull the car and do a road trip.

I was happy just to have the same brand, but no, at the time, two years ago, couldn't get same style front and rear.

First time in my 30 years of driving I've not had a "matching" set. Close enough at the time especially as it was going back into storage for another 2 years.

Should have clarified, good question though. Hopefully this time I can get all matching. Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

Overall sounds like Tire Rack is still the place to get tires for these.

Again, thank you!
Erik

Tire Rack or Discount Tire, There is some overlap of brands but also each has tires not offered by the other

[Bitte ein Bit]

Good to hear and thanks again!

...years ago seems like everyone was keeping originals (6x16's and 7x16's) or trying to find 8x16's whilst getting rid or not buying the 9x16's. Then I know quite a few that went to the 17in rims...I thought I was going to bring the Porsche here to Germany but didn't work out. All that said, I remember at a few meetings on the east coast people were very worried about tires for the 9x16's.

Again, seems like it won't be an issue coming home and ordering. Big relief.

[Jdub]

Check Costco and request a national search for a set Bridgestone Re-11s in the size you want (example of 245/45 x 16"). They have tremendous buying power and I was able to purchase a full set (205 front) with good recent date codes from their existing stock.

[Bitte ein Bit]

Jdub -

Great information. Thank you!

Erik

[wildthing]

I was able to buy these from Tire Rack in Oct 2016:

205/55R-16 Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R
225/50R-16 Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R

...only because RE-11s were out of stock, but RE-11s were back in stock a few months later. I believe I have 9" in the rear (last I checked the markings was in 2013 so my recollection could be hazy) but I have never used 245s...

[proporsche]

ein bit..why don`t you buy them here in Europe much cheaper and ship them or even take them on plane....ContiSportContact..245/45 R 16 94Y...........and 205/55 R 16 94W.....
they are perfect tires..i have them on my 911 8th and 9th

Ivan

[Bitte ein Bit]

Thanks Ivan,

I am looking into that also

Did you order from any company in particular? Local shop? I use a couple sources here in Germany for my motorcycle tires.

Again, thank you!

Erik

[proporsche]

The funny thing is, i bought them in France and they are made in Czech Republic, my home ,
I have moved since then.
So, i went to see the same tires here in Czech and guess what they are made in France funny ,or?

Go to ATU in Germany they will get them for you in no time...i like how they feel on the road..personally i find the Bridgestone noisy....

Ivan

[GeorgeM]

Originally Posted by proporsche

ein bit..why don`t you buy them here in Europe much cheaper and ship them or even take them on plane....ContiSportContact..245/45 R 16 94Y...........and 205/55 R 16 94W.....
they are perfect tires..i have them on my 911 8th and 9th

Ivan

You'd be a hero to many if you started importing the Conti 245s for your 911 friends here on Pelican...

[proporsche]

hmm .........interesting idea..i`ll check into it..i have some friends in right places in here..

Ivan

[kyngfish]

For what it's worth - discount tire ebay store is having a pretty solid sale - 100 dollars off instantly on any set of four tires. Just bought some Continental Extreme Contact Pros on there for my 86 - 16 x 7 and 8 though. 205/55/16 an 225/50/16

[famoroso]

I would get what I can in Evropa while the gettin's still good!

I'm rocking:
205 & 245 RE11s on 7s & 9s on my '87, and...
225 & 245 Trofeo Rs on 8s & 11s on my '88.

FWIW, Bridgestone confirmed same to me at the time...
https://blog.tirerack.com/blog/roll-on/24545-16-for-your-classic-porsche-911-930-944-or-928

[Bitte ein Bit]

Originally Posted by famoroso

I would get what I can in Evropa while the gettin's still good!

I'm rocking:
205 & 245 RE11s on 7s & 9s on my '87, and...
225 & 245 Trofeo Rs on 8s & 11s on my '88.

FWIW, Bridgestone confirmed same to me at the time...
https://blog.tirerack.com/blog/roll-on/24545-16-for-your-classic-porsche-911-930-944-or-928

was just at the tire shop with the exchange, and all things considered it's not crazy savings. if tires had a 10 year shelf life i might consider 4-5 sets though!

[Bill Verburg]

I was under the impression that Bridgestone stopped producing the RE11, Tire RAck certainly hasn't had them in a long time

Bridgstone does still list them on their site, If you can get themn they are the best non R 245/45 x16 out there

[Bitte ein Bit]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

I was under the impression that Bridgestone stopped producing the RE11, Tire RAck certainly hasn't had them in a long time

Bridgstone does still list them on their site, If you can get themn they are the best non R 245/45 x16 out there

Indeed, I can't find anywhere with an internet search. Living in Europe though, some US websites will not let me view.