My car has 205/50/15's on it which make it squirt out of a turn from low speeds. OTOH, the ride isn't the finest but I can live with it because I have cars that ride nice.


I've come down with some choices mostly based on dry grip and not so much about ride quality. Sizes are limited.

Dunlop Direzza in 205/55/15 to add some height (although a 50 series is fun!)

G-FORCE SPORT COMP-2 - SIZE: 195/55R15 because that's all they make

Pirelli P6000 185/70/15

Avon in either 175/70/15 or 185/70/15

I'm familiar with the Avon from friends who run them on early 911's. There's a guy who uses them on 4.5 Fuchs in the 175 size and they say he's not easy to get away from on a back road.

Opinions welcome.

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I use:
195/55R-15 Dunlop Direzza ZII

very sticky

Cooper touring cs4 , great tire , real solid sidewall
Made in usa
Cant go wrong

Stay away from extremely expensive pirellis

Toyo PROXES R1R
195/50/15
<------- pictured here

OP doesn't specify rim width, but I've been looking for replacements for my 205/60/R15 Goodyears which I haven't been thrilled with, over7X15 Fuchs, so I appreciate the topic. 205/55/15 sounds like a good option.

Out of curiosity, what is your objection to Pirellis, other than possibly price?

- MR

The new car I picked up has Yokohama S-drive, 205/55-15. No idea if they're any good but they're a summer sport tire.
I like a bit taller tire to fill up the wheel well, I wish they came in a /60.

Here's an interesting article that compares several period style tires.....Vredestein, Michelin, Pirelli and Blockley tires in the 185/70 R15 size. The Vredestein stacks up pretty well.

https://www.cinturato.net/images/test-classic-tyres-0716.pdf

From this thread:
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...39516&st=20


I'll leave the 14s and the CW tires to Coker Tire (where you can also buy Model T tires) and stick to what appealed to me as period-correct (or at least not "period WRONG") and still sporting options for a narrow 914 after a ton of personal research, phone calls, internet surfing, etc.

Coker Tire/Michelin XWX 185/70R15 (the hot tire of the day, standard equipment on the 911S and the +0 upgrade for 914s)
Notes: Can't get my head around $348 each for a tire this small, with such dated technology. Too concours/show & tell-oriented for me, and way too expensive to boot.
Find them here: https://www.cokertire.com/tires/michelin-xwx.html

Vredestein Sprint Classic 185/70R15 (the reasonably priced tire if you want period looks and decent performance)
Notes: Period tread pattern and sidewalls, probably better than the Coker Michelin XWX and a LOT less expensive at $140 each; nice steering response, nice ride, not so great in terms of ultimate grip. Bought a set 8-10 years ago. Just weren't for me, but a lot of people like them.
Find them here: http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-bin/tiresear...t_classic_t.cst

Avon CR6ZZ 185/70R15 (just bought a set, will mount them shortly...)
Notes: We'll see about ride and handling, but everyone raves about them; definitely have the period look, with tall, plain sidewalls. Available in three compounds, with 29 being the hardest and 31 being the softest (you want 29s for the street). Narrower than I wanted, but I am told even the hardest version has a LOT more grip than any street-spec 195 or 205. Roger Kraus Racing carries them for $280/tire. Not cheap—unless you compare them to Coker XWXs. They do seem like good value against a modern N-spec Porsche tire, given their specialty nature—though they won't last as long. You can also get CR6ZZs in 215/60R15.
Find them here: http://rogerkrausracing.com/pages/pricing.html

Dunlop SP Sport 195/65R15 (a good middle of the road, affordable tire with reasonable grip by modern standards and a sidewall and tread pattern that don't look completely alien on a 1970s car)
Notes: Sidewall too modern for me, but better than most. A favored tire of Rod and Gary Emory for street-oriented 356 hot rods where Hoosiers won't work. Grip okay, ride okay, but distinctly not sporting—even if they are probably superior to the best tires of the 1970s. Bought a set, but am taking them off after 1,000~ miles. Just not for me. But: $65~ each is a bargain for what you get.
Find them here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?gc...0160211172230:s

Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 3 205/55R16 (what a great street tire!)
Notes: I almost moved on to 16-inch wheels just to mount a set of these. I put a set of them on our 2013 Abarth at $129~/tire and it may be my new favorite street tire. It's AVS Intermediate good, and maybe better. Crazy grip (better than many summer tires, apparently), very quiet, and carries a tread wear rating of 500. I'm not expecting that long a life given the grip, but will be fun finding out if it's hogwash. If the Avons don't work out, this may be my next plan.
Find them here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...romCompare1=yes

Michelin TB & TB15 (perfection, at a price)
If I was running a GT-flared 914 on 15-inch wheels, and perhaps one day I might be, the choice would be a lot simpler. I'd run Michelin TB15 tires (vintage race/tarmac rally tire) on 15x7&9-inch Fuchs. They have wonderful grip, REALLY nice steering response, and killer good looks. Jeff Zwart is running them on his yellow 914-6, and I was blown away by them. The fronts are 215/55R15, the rears are racing sizes but not all that hard to figure out for the back of a 914 (the same size as the front of a RSR 2.8).
Find them here: http://www.summitracing.com/search/product...elin-tb15-tires

Hope this is helpful for someone else!


Will say, with hindsight, I would have done the soft-compound CR6ZZ over the hardest. They wear better than expected, and I wouldn't mind something softer.

I'd also take a hard look at the P6000 N2 in 195/65R15 (might be a better street tire, and the 195's bulge looks great on a 5.5- or 6.0-inch wheel), the Yoko A-048 in 205/60R15 (may rub a bit, depending on your 914's rear fenders), and the Direzza in 205/55R15 (ran 205/55s for years, and liked them, but have wanted a taller sidewall lately). It's really too bad the Michelin AS/3 isn't available in 195/65R15...would be the perfect 914 tire. Simple sidewall, timeless tread, great handling in any weather, etc.

[quote name='mountainroads' date='Feb 18 2019, 01:19 PM' post='2690210']
[quote name='thelogo' post='2690186' date='Feb 18 2019, 12:08 PM']
Stay away from extremely expensive pirellis
[/quote]

OP doesn't specify rim width, but I've been looking for replacements for my 205/60/R15 Goodyears which I haven't been thrilled with, over7X15 Fuchs, so I appreciate the topic. 205/55/15 sounds like a good option.

Out of curiosity, what is your objection to Pirellis, other than possibly price?

- MR
[/quo


















The pirelli are like 194$ per tire or something right ?;

"Dry" handling numbers in the 8's are more to my liking. Grand Touring tires are generally in the 7's. As a 100% fair weather driver, wet traction isn't a concern.

Pirelli P6000 - 7.9 dry (195/65)

Goodyear G-Force - 9.0 dry (195/55)

Direzza DZ102 - 8.7 dry (195/55)
Direzza ZIII - unknown but should surpass the DZ102

Yokohama S Drive - 8.6 (195/55)

Toyo PROXES R1R - GOK? They are liked by the go-fast crowd.
Yokohama ADVAN A048 - 9.1 (205/60 or 205/50) Pricey but here is your 205/60, Mark.
(They won't to win any wear or ride contests but they do work.)

I just had a set of Yokohama 205/55R-15's shipped to Harvey for my wheels. The price is right and it gets a set on the car and if I am able to then upsize down the road, I would prefer a 60 series, then I can do that with ease. But for initial fitment I needed to know how it was all going to fit. I had my deep sixes widened on the back side by 1" and we raised my spindles by 17MM. I am hoping to be able to pick them up this coming Saturday morning.

Letting Harvey mount them is the best money you'll spend.

He once told me the story of a set of wheels which a restoration shop wanted to mount the tires themselves. (He offered, they declined) The shop ended up damaging a wheel which required it to be sent back for another restoration.

You can't beat a man at his own game.

Exactly why Harvey is mounting and balancing them. Just makes sense.

Falken Azenis 205x 50x15 sticky summer street legal. No penalty for rating at AX UTQC 200
Toyo Proxes R888 similar with more sizes.

Note: check overall diameter for any tire you choose. It dramatically effects your gearing> This can be a help at autocross depending on speeds expected along the course and the amount of shifting you will need to do.

Don't get tires like this if you plan to drive in rain.....
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Have you guys tried the new Pirelli tyres that have been tested and homologated by Porsche.

they make

165VR15 Cinturato CN36 N4
185/70WR15 Cinturato CN36 N4
215/60WR15 CN36 N4
205/50ZR15 Cinturato P7
225/50ZR15 Cinturato P7
and they are now making some more P7 tyres in 16" for later 911

Howver all things considered these are the best tyres to fit to Porsche.

I would strongly recomend keeping away from anything lower than a 70% profile tyre on your cars because they just won't handle as well. tyres like a 195/65R15 will have a carcass that is designed for a much more modern chassis.

you can get these tyres from Lucas Classic Tires in the States https://www.lucasclassictires.com/Porsche-911-Tires_c219.htm

Only thing to think about when picking tires per grip levels is characteristics.

I find I don't like most "square-shouldered" tires. They may have a lot of grip, but the shoulder design seems to have a fair bit to do with how a tire acts and communicates on the way up to its 7-8-9 in grip. I had a set of very square shouldered tires from a well known manufacturer that ruined not just my 914 but also my WRX. Plenty of grip, but with a cliff. Not too useful, and treacherous in the rain. YMMV…

of the choices listed, I would go with the Dunlops if beholden to a 55 series tire. If willing to keep the 50 series, a 205/50 opens the door to a lot more choices.

I have 14" rims.. The only sporting tire I find is the Falken Azenis 615. Its a really nice tire btw. No road noise like the R888. Sticky too.

Depending on how many miles, or your use, whatever you by will likely "time out" before it "wears out". I bought my Falkens in 2016. They are considerably less sticky now than when new, but as expected, plenty of tread left. Just takes some warming up to make them sticky again.

I have the Pilot's on my car in 195/65-15. They are what was on the car when I bought it. I really like them but they are getting old and should probably be replaced soon.

Problem is that these are no longer offered in this size and there do not seem to be many other options besides generic all seasons. I only drive her in Spring Summer.

I think I can get Vredestein SPORTRAC 5 in 195/65 R15 91H. Should I go with those or should I be considering an alternate size tire?

195/55R15 is completely the wrong diameter

80% of the correct 165 = a side wall height of 132mm

55% of 195mm = side wall height of 107mm so that tyre will be an inch too small in radius. so gearing wrong as well as handling effected.

the lower profile you go and the wider you go the more derogatory effects on handling. With racing cars, (which is totally different to road cars.) these cars are lowered with stiffer suspension, and they change the camber and caster, so it is like a wholey different car. which is then not so suitable for the road.

The effects of putting wider lower, profile, squarer shouldered tyres on a car like that are that because you have relatively soft suspension, and because the wheels stay parallel with the car (instead of adding adverse camber as the car rolls) as you corner and the car leans, it climbs onto the shoulder of the tyre lifting the inside edge, which creates a sudden loss of grip, so the idea that they give more grip, is not as clear cut as it might seem. the tyre itself offers more grip, but only when you have the chassis to suit.

Anyone who has auto-x'd one of these would heartily disagree. My car was originally owned by an ex-AF pilot who still auto-x's at 86 in a Boxster or Cayman. Not in love with the looks of a 50 series tire but they do work very well. Slot car... Go-Kart...Video Game.

Also have a '74 911 with Goodyear Eagle Sport tires on it. They are 195/65x15 and I'm anxiously looking forward to taking them off the car.
This is an another ex auto-x car with "suspension upgrades" and a warmed over engine. The tires don't take input without a moment of "indecision" before they take the line. That's unsettling.

I have a set 205/55-15 on the wife's car and I agree they are too small for the size of the wheel well. If you have the ear of the manufacturers many porsche owners, 914 and 911, would love decent performance tires in 205/60-15 and 195/65-15 size.
I'm sure there're other 60's-70's classic cars owners that also would be interested in these sizes.

Sithot - sounds like you know what you want.. 205-50-15s.. unless the ride is too crushing, then you are stuck with what will be inferior (performing) softer tires. Gearing and ride quality be damned! lol..

Course, you could buy another set of rims and run 165s on them.. and get to slide the car at very low performance limits.

And then have one another set for AX.

RE71, Rivals, Azenis 615, Dunlop Direzza etc are all really nice tires.

The P6000 is for touring sedans.. don't waste your time.

Could not agree more, and exactly why I'm looking for something else, except mine are 205/60X15 and on a teener. They're probably great tires for something like a Corvette, but the my little car just doesn't have the heft to make the tires work for the car instead of the other way around.

- MR

My car had a set of worn-out Advans when I bought it. The PO really liked them and as sithot notes, they come in the size I'm looking for. Unfortunately, not only can you not drive them in the rain or at subzero temps (not a problem for me), but the mfr. states they cannot be *STORED* at cold temps (something like 15 deg F. or below ??), because it could damage the rubber compound. THAT is a problem for me, because the detached garage can hit that in the coldest stretches of winter, since it's a weekend place and I don't leave the heat on in the garage when we're not there.

- MR

^ I dunno. There's about 50 years of fast Porsches here on the West Coast that would argue with the conclusions (not the theory, necessarily) of the above—primarily because many (most?) 914s that are still on the road and used in a sporting manner have been set up to take advantage of the best tires their owners could find for their purposes.

And I will say, my car probably drove best on 205/60R15 A-008R TUs or 205/55R15 BFG Comp T/A 3s. The Vreds in 185/70 were truly prosaic and offered so little grip that the car lost a lot of the fun factor, while I am not all that amazed by the (very expensive) Avon CR6ZZ tires I purchased. I should have ordered the softest compound. The CN36 are unlikely to be more sporting than the CR6ZZ.

Out here, all of the fast autocross 914s had one thing in common: short sidewalls and small-diameter tires. And this was true for heavily prepared cars or, like my car, mildly prepared cars. I'd be curious to see some very good testing done with tall vs short sidewall tires per your input above, but I think the other thing those drivers liked about the short tires was the gearing advantage on the autocross. I liked the gearing advantage of 205/55R15 on the street—the car was still comfortable at cruising speeds, and the BFGs offered a wonderful mix of comfort, grip, and near-limit behavior.

So, if I am looking for a performance tire for a narrow 914, the three I'd be looking at are the Dunlop in 205/55R15, the A048 in 205/60R15 or one of the truly aggressive 205/50R15 if soft, warm-climate only rubber was okay for my use, or the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3 in 205/55R16. My setback is a desire for period appearance.

Of course, just about any tire of today is miles ahead of what these cars came on new. We've just been spoiled by some great tires between then and now...

for straight line point and squirt cars. yes wider tyres will give you less wheel spin.


However for handling a period tyre will be better, for hard racing use a sider tyre will give you less wheel spin out of the slow corners, but 185/70VR15 CR6ZZ or the 185/70VR15 CN36 will handle better.

Yes when you have change the set up of your car for Auto Testing you make it suit a modern tyre on the race track on perfectly smooth flat roads. yes it is different.



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For the sake of transparency, Doug sells tires for Longstone. Their market is "correct" vintage Porsche tires.
There are no bargains in this market just like Coker Tire. FWIW: A 205/50x15 P7 is $360.36.

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-ca...914.html#page=2

I am grateful that companies like Longstone and Coker are around because they do fill a void for vintage tires and what's more vintage than a 15" wheel? lol

A 996 C4S customer runs tires like these, made for high speed, but they're so soft he only gets one season per set anyways. He easily hits 240kph at Mosport.

Bring them inside for the winter.

Yes - that's a good point and a friend mentioned that as well. I guess I'm looking for "easier" options. Plus, there's the occasional sunny and dry midwinter day that makes me want to pull the car out of the garage and go for a spin.

- MR

So I went with Yokohama 205/55R 15's. Hard to tell in the picture but I think they look terrific. Once I get one on the car, next weekend, I will know better.

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Anxiously waiting for a picture!

Looks good, and with a nice round shoulder—for a modern tire—looks like. Wheel looks great, too.

The 205/55 on a lowered 914 reminds me quite a bit of the old Ginther cars in old pics...

Since I am going through this myself, and all the conflicting advice is making my head spin ...

Why did you choose the 55's versus the 60's which many suggest in the 205 series.

Thanks.

I would have gone with a 60 if I could have found one that was not an all weather, light mini-van tire. I could have gone with an A008-type tire but all of those tires were rated as very high on road noise. I am going to drive my car- just not in the rain. I also did not want a race tire compound that picked up every pebble on the street. The S-drive Yokohama is highly rated, getting good marks across the board. Additionally, at $414 delivered, I figured even if they are not great, I could afford to run them until I found a better tire.

Also, a little bit of anxiety was present for fitment. I wanted to be sure they would fit on the rear- don't ever want to even come close to burning that Irish Green Kent sprayed and with the raised front spindles, though I do not believe we will have any issues, I just did not want to push the fitment by trying for a 215/60 or 215/55 tire.

I remember telling my wife I just bought tires for the Six for $414 delivered and she said, "What? Why are they so cheap?" Her Carrera tires are about $375 each. I told her they are really small compared to her car.

^ Covered well above: 205/60 isn't available in Yokohama's S-Drive. I wish it was, but I'd be even happier if the A008P or R or R-TU made a return in 195/65R15 and 215/60R15.

As to all the conflicting info, I agree it's a hassle. So, some Cliff Notes:

If you want period looks and handling characteristics > 165R15 or 185/70 or 215/60 Pirelli CN36, Avon CR6ZZ, Michelin XWX or XZX, or Vredestein Sprint Classic. Roger Kraus Racing, Coker, Longstone, and others are good sources.

If you don't care about period looks and prefer performance, the S Drive in 205/55 is pretty attractive, as is the Dunlop Direzza in the same size. In 195/65R15, the P6000 N2 is one of the only, if not the only, summer tire, while the A048 in 205/60R15 is probably max performance (but not cheap, and can't deal with cold weather).

If you don't care about either, there are a lot of all-season tires out there in 195/65R15 that are cheap and will still outperform what these cars came with as well as many of the "period" tires on offer right now.

This was harder than I thought it would be. Though I want the car to appear as original as is reasonable and possible in 2019, I also plan to drive the car and therefore wanted to put a tire on that was a reasonably good compromise.

With the 3.2, the car will have a bit of torque and I just thought when I pressed on the skinny pedal, the stock-sized tires would just spin. I actually had a 3.0 with CIS in my last Six with deep sixes and size appropriate tires for the 6" rim and they spun every time I accelerated harder than normal. So I wanted to put a bit more rubber on the ground w/o being really obvious. That is why I had the deep sixes widened 1" and went with a bit wider footprint. Between that and the newer tire compounds, I hope that makes the car more drivable.