help needed with tyres for early 944T or s2

[PSH]

Hi guys

I'm having difficulty in finding tyres for my car....the current tyres are Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's which need replacing but it seems that these are no longer available or at least I can't find them. Just to remind everyone sizes are 205/55 ZR16 front and 225/50 ZR16 rear. Does anyone know of a supplier who may still have my chosen tyre and if not what do you guys have on your cars and how do they perform? I prefer directional patterns if possible. The other question would be has anyone fitted slightly wider tyres onto the early offset Deep dish teledials and if so what size and any adverse effects?

Cheers

Pete

 

[pauljmcnulty]

etyres have over 200 options for the front size, and 41 for the rears. Including some rather strange economy brands I'd avoid! [&:]

Don't know the best for your car, but there should be something available.

 

[Waylander]

Just put a set of GT-Radial Champiro HPY on my 968 and im very impressed for the price, good grip in the wet and dry, quiet, no tramlining, and 280 quid fitted.

i know they are not premium brand but they have been around for a long time, I'm so happy with them i will be putting a set on my A4 to replace the worn out P7's

 

[blade7]

The early offset 17" Cup reps are still reasonably priced and would allow bigger brakes, may be sensible when adding 150 bhp +.

 

[Eldavo]

I had Michelin Pilot Sport 3s on my car previously and I've had Toyo T1Rs too. Toyos are quite soft and grippy ideal for a car that doesn't do loads of miles, the Michelins were very good too and excellent in the wet.

 

[PSH]

I would like something on par with the F1's..so budget tyres or even mid range tyres are out....I have read that the speed ratings have changed in recent years...so although my old tyres were Z rated it seems that W and Y are as good if not better today...I wouldn't really consider anything under these. Paul I have two tyre suppliers trying to source tyres...they can get both sizes but not of the same make or at least not so far...I want all tyres to be of the same type/make. The Goodyear's were always fantastic on my car in both dry and wet conditions, in fact it was difficult to tell the difference in grip...Although I haven't used Toyo's myself I do have a friend who nearly killed himself in the wet with Toyo's so they are out too
I don't want 17" wheels... it effects the car's handling and poise and not as Porsche intended..although my engine may have had work on it the exterior has always been completely standard, I will always stick to this philosophy.
Michelin is a possibility, I just haven't found a pattern that I like so far, nothing even close to the F1's unless someone knows different?

I did a quick search for GT-Radial Champiro HPY as these are an unknown to me....alas there are some frightening reviews out there so will give those a miss too...perhaps i'm being a little fussy but for me if there's one thing that I don't want to cut corners on it's the tyres that are fitted to the car, after all they are the only thing keeping you safely on the road

Pete

 

[George Elliott]

Pete
just type in Camskill, go to Car tyres, select 16 inch, go to OE Porsche in each of your sizes.

Fronts & Rears are avail in Conti, Mitch, & Bridgestone

Fronts range between £50 and 75 ea and rears 75 to 100.

Delivery 4 days.

I buy all mine there and they will deliver in 3 or 4 days.

its that simple

BTW, I'd agree your thoughts on tyre spec. They drive best OE

Good luck
George


944t

 

[Monkeythree]

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT are a very good tyre and available in those sizes.

205/55R16 is probably the highest production volume tyre size of all time so there is no end of options in this size. 225/50R16 is a bit of an oddball size. So I think you need to focus on finding the rear tyre that you want and then it is highly likely you will find the matching front.

 

[944 man]

Id probably opt for 4x 225/50/16 Pete, in whatever make you decide upon. A 7" rim is more than man enough to mount a 225 upon, even for the widest 225 tyre. Remember too that Porsche did so on the original 250bhp cars ('88 & '89) until a 7.5" rim became available, and used a similar size combination on countless other cars from Boxsters to 928s from the S to the S4.

 

[PSH]

thanks for the link George...I took a look at what is listed for Porsche as you suggested...I like the look of the Bridgestone SO2's..similar pattern to the F1's and same speed rating....has anyone used these and what's the verdict please guys..

cheers

Pete

 

[Waylander]

you research any tyre enough and there will be nasty reviews, it was only a suggestion im more than happy with them

 

[PSH]

I didn't mean to sound rude Waylander.. I'm sure that they are fine...some reviews certainly said so. others had issues such as bad balance in the mould and walls detaching from the tread.....not something you want blatting down the autobahn which I intend to visit at some point in the future......

Pete

 

[edh]

SO2's are good tyres - may be a bit long in the tooth so not trendy any more. Can't see how you'd go wrong with those.
I'd agree with Simon - I like 225 all round, but it's not as Porsche sold it (then again, I'm happy with more front camber..)

17" Early Offset Cup Reps are a very bad idea surely? Must weigh a ton.

 

[PSH]

Thanks Ed...My son is going to see what price he can get the SO2's for tomorrow and then he can fit them...

cheers

Pete

 

[blade7]

ORIGINAL: PSH

I don't want 17" wheels... it effects the car's handling and poise and not as Porsche intended..

[] The handling and poise of 968 Sport and CS seem to be well regarded...

 

[George Elliott]

As per edh, I have found SO2's are a good tyre, they grip, wear, stay balanced and cost sensible money for a quality product.

Not so keen on wide front rubber personally, serious standing water risk at speed. Maybe I spent too long on 165 tyres and the like [] much of it on the sidewalls

Keep up the good work

George
944t

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Recently got a set of the Bridgestones, only 1000 miles but very impressed. (205/55 and 225/50)

I have them mounted on the CS wheels at present - 7 and 9 inch but think they will fit better on the Gullies - 7 and 8 inch, don't think you can get the Bridgestones in 245/50 or 255/45 16

 

[944 man]

Of course, 245/45/16 would be ideal... []

 

[PSH]

cheers guys...I respect all views but will stick to the original sizes...I have always loved the way this car handles, the way it turns in and it's sure footedness on the road( I have driven the later cars to compare) ..I love the offset/staggered arrangement of the early cars..there's something very magical about them.....I'm very bias of course....

Pete

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Thread resurrection....

I've been looking for all four tyres before my MOT.

Talking to a few specialists the SO2s are hard to get in both sizes. They can find them, but there was a good point that if you need a new tyre due to a total failure, it could be that the SO2 isn't in stock.

The Toyos are widely available in both sizes, and £325 for all four fitted doesn't seem unreasonable. Had them on the front for 6 years, and no complaints. Just the old Falkens I had on the back were so nice. Why aren't they available any more? [&o]