Need tire advice....fast

[thamlin000]

Currently I'm enjoying spring break in Florida and left my 944 with my brother in Texas. He decided to take my 944 on a ride and ended up with a flat tire. The shop told him the tire is not repairable. Since my tires (Pirelli P6000s) have about 15% tread left, I need to replace all 4 tires. And I need my car back on Monday.

My car is an 83 944 with 15x7 Cookie Cutters and 215/60 tires.

1.What tires should I get?
2.What size? I'm thinking about going with 225/50. Should I?

I heard good things about Toyo Proxys, Yokohama AVS, and Bridgestone Potenza. Any of these good?

Thanks for any info.

[PorscheG96]

I've gone through 2 sets of Yokohama AVS Intermediates, 225/50-15, and they're incredible. You'll only be disappointed in the sub-10k mile tread life [if you drive hard], though some may last for 12k miles or a bit longer...it totally depends on how you drive. Bridgestones [RE-730] are a little more pricey than the Yokohamas [since you can't get the RE-71 anymore], and I haven't tried either of these for myself, but suspect that they offer about the same performance as the AVS I-50s, but with slightly longer tread life. -Trevor

[PrerYDoG]

I've got Potenza's, and all I can say is I love them. They've been really good performers. They came on the car when I bought them, and were about 25% worn. Since I've had the car, I've put on 14,000 miles (not just miles, but HARD ASS MILES..I like to drive fast all around), and they've still got a few thousand miles of tread left.

I recommend.

[thamlin000]

Thanks for the responses.

According to Tirerack.com, the AVS and RE-730 are close in terms of performance. I'm leaning toward the Yokohama AVS right now since the Bridgestone Potenza RE-730 doesn't come in the 225/50-15 size.

The Toyo Proxy FZ4 is a Z-rated all-seasons performance tire and is in my price range. Anyone know how these compare to the Yokohama AVS?

[mike944]

I have the RE71's in the 225/50-15 size. They are great, but the outer diameter of the tire doesn't fill out the wheelwell very well, they look small. I did gain a very small bit of off the line accelleration because of the smaller tires, but that was offset by the need to shift at a slower speed, and the engine runs at higher RPM on the highway.

as far as compound is concerned, i was considering both the RE71's and the Dunlop SP8000's. I have a friend who has the SP8000's on a M3, and he got a chance to drive another M3 with the RE-71's and he said there was hardly any difference. So I chose the RE-71's because they were a bit cheaper. BUT, since they aren't available anymore, you might want to consider the SP8000's

Mike

[1.2gees]

Thamlin, can you provide a little bit of feedback, as to what you're looking for in a tire?
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[Blackfoot]

i would not put 225's on a 7" rim. go with 205 or 215. in the price range you're talking about either the intermediates or the 730's would be excellent choices.

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it's all the rubber...

[thamlin000]

Ahmet-
I'm looking for a performance tire that can be used safely in the rain. The car never sees snow. I may soon get back into auto-x and some drivers-ed events (I've haven't done either in 2 years). I don't mind road noise or a slightly rougher ride. Tire wear is not a big concern since I go to college in a small town and put 5000 mi a year (maybe less) on my 944.

[thamlin000]

Blackfoot-
I currently have 215/60s. What is wrong with 225/50?

I figure the 225/50 would grip the road better (it's wider) with less sidewall flex. I also know of many 944 owners with 7 inch wheels with this size.

I am a bit concerned with an inaccurate speedometer reading though.

[RaF944]

What about the Eagle GT2's? I dnt know ho=w good they perform new since i have hardly any tread left and I had them since I bought the car...but I heard good thinks about them

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85.5 Porsche 944

[Panzer909]

I agree with Mike944 - 225/50s are too low a profile for a 15-inch rim. You need something that will fill out the wheelwell more. As far as tires go, Dunlops offer a great compound for vitually all types of driving. Depends on your personal preference (driving hard or conservatively). Some say Dunlops are a little expensive, but most decent tires are these days.

[Blackfoot]

tham, that's the rub (no pun intended) about using a profile that is too different from stock. bad speedo reading, it may look kinda funky. almost rice, as some people say.

if you really want to fill the wheel well and have a wide tire and accurate speedo readings, there is only one real choice. you know what it is.

and if you get them, don't forget to paint them black. :-)

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it's all the big wheels...

[thamlin000]

Dunlop SP8000s are out of my price range. I'm looking at $70-90 per tire. I agree that the 225/50s look small on the 944, but at the same time my current 215/60s look like truck tires. I am running on 18 yr old original shocks and struts. Soon, I plan on buying Koni or Bilstein shocks and lowering the car 1.25". That should reduce the fender gap with 225/50 tires. Unfortunatly, I planned on doing this in a couple years, but now I'll to do all this sooner because of this unanticipated blow-out.

[thamlin000]

Blackfoot-
Oh hell yes, Fuchs rule. If I could afford 16" Fuchs, I'd get them today. But for now, Cookies will have to do.

Fuchs are still in my distant future.

[This message has been edited by thamlin000 (edited 03-16-2001).]

[asidrave]

look at the bfg radial t\a or the dunlop p60. i have the p60 and handle great. they ran me about 55 each at the tirerack.com my 2 cents

[1.2gees]

Blackfoot, part of the info you provide is incorrect.

Let's see, Yokohama AVS intermediate 225/50/15s are approved for use with 7 inch wide rims (infact the range is 6 to 8 inches).

Speedo readings would be off, but only by about 2.7mph at 60mph. I don't think there's much wrong with that.

I could recommend 245/50/15s, which would have exactly the same overall diameter, keeping the speedo accurate, but are more expensive, and would be more likely to hydroplane in the rain. They'd also lower the fuel economy, etc.

Overal thamlin, I'd suggest 225/50/15s, as they'd lower your car about half an inch, decreasing the airodynamical ressistance, improving handling, and feedback.

Yoko AVSs are good tires, but not for the rain. If your price range dictates not including the SP 8000s, than there really isn't anything else out there, that'll grip good in the dry, and ressist hydroplaning, save for Bridgestone Potenza RE-730 (which are NOT made in the 225/50/15 size).


My advice, to you:

Either pay extra, and get the dunlops (which'll last longer), or get Yokos, and not drive too agressively in the rain. (their grip is not horrible, hydroplaning ressitance is). You could also give up the 225/50 size, but I wouldn't do that if you're going to auto-x, the 215s are simply too skinny.

--OR--

You COULD get the Yokos only for the rear, in which location they're better able to resist hydroplaning, and dunlops for the front. If you do so, better watch how much throttle you apply in the rain, but I'd still say this is better than yokos all around in the rain. Yokos aren't really THAT bad in the rain, but they're worse than dunlops.
Hope this helps, and let us know...
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[thamlin000]

I can't find any p60s at tirerack.com.

[Blackfoot]

tham if phone dials grab you, i have a set of 16x7 front and 16x8" rears WITH yokohama a509's that have at least 50% tread left. wheels have no bends, only minor curb rash, not yet painted black. :-) $350/entire set, you pay shipping.

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it's all who you know...

[1.2gees]

asidrave, the tires you're using are:

1st not available in 225/50/15 size,
2nd They're all season tires (that give up a little bit of agressiveness in the dry/wet for snow, they're all season tires, everything else mentioned is "Ultra high performance", go figure). For a car intended to be driven agressively, and auto-xed, I'd recommend another tire! But I suppose not too bad considering the price, for a normal commuter car that's to see snow.
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[1.2gees]

Actually, blackfoot, I'd be interested in that...

I'm assuming they're late offset, good price though.

(Thamlin, grab'em, if your car's a late one)!
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...