Cheap Tires

[Superman]

I notice there are tires under $100 each, and over $200 each. Similar "rating" numbers. For example, I am looking at the Riken Raptor ZR A/S. Four of these tires in 17" sizes for my 911 would be around $300.

In the same sizes, a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tires would be more than $800.

I wonder if the inexpensive tires would be a mistake. Here is an analogy: In buying today's cars, there is virtually no such thing as an inefficient or unreliable engine. They all go 300K miles easily, getting great mileage. Tire technology is, arguably, similar. True or false?

[wildcat077]

It all depends on how much you value your car ...
You always get what you pay for , there are no cheap miracles !

[3Ddesigns911]

Just an FYI, Riken R are made in France, and the company is owned by Michelin (the same as BF Goodrich). The Raptor ZR is a discontinued line which is the reason they are cheap. They are not "cheap" tires.

IMO just because you pay more money for something it does not necessarily make it better. Do your research. BTW, you cannot find a bad review on these particular tires.

[SCadaddle]

5 years ago I bought a set of Hankook Ventus V12 yada yada for my 82SC. They were inexpensive at about $90 a tire for my 16" wheels. In fact I was so impressed with them, just last year I put a set of Hankook's on my 2005 Subaru Legacy wagon.

2 Sunday afternoons ago, I was driving out of my subdivision on very nice paved roads. Managed to somehow pick this up. It's a stick. A freaking stick. Even the tire vendor said that is one of the most bizarre road hazard incidents they've ever seen.

[3Ddesigns911]

No disrespect, but this is funny. LOL. I guess it's hardwood?
Thanks for posting!

[Superman]

Originally Posted by 3Ddesigns911

Just an FYI, Riken R are made in France, and the company is owned by Michelin (the same as BF Goodrich). The Raptor ZR is a discontinued line which is the reason they are cheap. They are not "cheap" tires.

IMO just because you pay more money for something it does not necessarily make it better. Do your research. BTW, you cannot find a bad review on these particular tires.

Thank you. This is important, since I would prefer to replace the rears when they wear out. If this tire is discontinued, then that's probably not an option. Still....$300 for a set of four tires which I suspect are actually good tires.....perhaps still worth it.

[KM1966]

I read elsewhere they were manufactured in Indonesia... regardless a great price for a set of seemingly solid tires. I just pulled the trigger on a set for my SC!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Tires are the only things connecting your car to the road.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by KM1966

I read elsewhere they were manufactured in Indonesia... !

Indonesia is almost Malaysia, Malaysia producing the finest rubber compounds in the world...

[dos531]

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

5 years ago I bought a set of Hankook Ventus V12 yada yada for my 82SC. They were inexpensive at about $90 a tire for my 16" wheels. In fact I was so impressed with them, just last year I put a set of Hankook's on my 2005 Subaru Legacy wagon.

2 Sunday afternoons ago, I was driving out of my subdivision on very nice paved roads. Managed to somehow pick this up. It's a stick. A freaking stick. Even the tire vendor said that is one of the most bizarre road hazard incidents they've ever seen.

I have to say, I have the ventus v12 evo 2s on my 996tt, because they are one of the few companies that make the correct sizes at 19". They are easily the worst tire i've ever driven on a sports car. Terrible tires.

[Rodek]

I ran into this issue a couple of years ago and it reminded me of a story. I know this doesn't pertain to a 911 but, a year or two ago a husband and wife were prepping their motorcycle for a long road trip. The husband felt as if the rear tire was in need of replacement due to thin tread depth. He decided to go with a lower cost tire. This would have been fine if he hadn't overlooked that the weight and temperature ratings on the tire were too low for his application. The bike, their belongings and the two passengers were too much for the rear tire on a hot Alabama interstate. The tire blew and there was a terrible accident as a result. The investigators determined the tire's weight rating was too low for the task. I had a relative work the wreck and he said it wasn't pretty. In my opinion, so long as you choose tires that are rated to handle your car's abilities and driving style, you should be ok. Tire sellers in my area are pretty good at recommending good tires for my vehicles. Even though they are, I always ask if they'd put them on their own vehicle.

[Bill Douglas]

Around here it's the law that you have to meet or excede the V, Z, W rating for your car. I'm sure the US is the same.

[sugarwood]

That's a real crappy tire that allows a stick to pierce the sidewall like that.
I will never buy HankookooForCocoaPuffs

[dicklague]

Originally Posted by KM1966

I read elsewhere they were manufactured in Indonesia... regardless a great price for a set of seemingly solid tires. I just pulled the trigger on a set for my SC!

I have the Rikens on my 986 and 2 of my Saab Aeros.....really a good tire and a great buy.

[Sooner or later]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

That's a real crappy tire that allows a stick to pierce the sidewall like that.
I will never buy HankookooForCocoaPuffs

That is the thinnest part of the tire. That area of design will be basically the same for any manufacturer. ,060 of liner. A .10 of ply (two ply) and maybe a couple of tenths of sidewall.

You will buy consistency when you purchase higher end tires. Michelin being the most consistent. Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear and any other OE producer are fighting for second place.