Tyre help for Design 90s

[Eldavo]

I've managed to get hold of a good set of Design 90s from a 944 S2 but the tyres on them aren't really up to much. The fronts are 7" and the rears are 8". I know I should be looking for 225 up front and 245 at the rear (I think) but what aspect ratios should I be looking at as I don't want the wheels to look lost in the arches as the car is at the original ride height?

Thanks, David

 

[944 man]

205/55 & 225/50 or 225/50 and 245/45.

 

[Eldavo]

Thanks, I take it the bigger the second number the "fatter" the sidewall?

Nice to have a choice but which would be best, the second or first choice?

 

[Bob]

S2 wheels should have the 205/55 and 225/50 as 944man has already said. The wider 225/50 and 245/45 are for the Turbo wheels which are 7.5 and 9 inches wide respectively

 

[BlackMagic]

I agree, stay with the standard sizes (205 and 225). They have plenty of rubber and the slightly higher sidewall means that the ride is smoother.

As for type, I have recently swapped from Dunlop D9000 (a great tyre, but sadly discontinued) to the Falken 452's. They seem to suit the car well and are slightly quieter than the Dunlops. Prices are also very competitive.

 

[944 man]

452s +1

 

[Eldavo]

Thanks guys will have a look around now I know the right sizes, will price up some 452s too.

 

[mik_ok]

ORIGINAL: BlackMagic

I agree, stay with the standard sizes (205 and 225). They have plenty of rubber and the slightly higher sidewall means that the ride is smoother.

I only ever used 205 fronts and 225 rears, but I did consider up-sizing to 225F and 245R. They will fit on the rims you have.

Sidewall sizes are next-to-identical for a 205/55, a 225/50 and a 245/45, so your ride should not be affected at all.

 

[mik_ok]

ORIGINAL: Eldavo

Thanks, I take it the bigger the second number the "fatter" the sidewall?

Second number is the height of the sidewall expressed as a percentage of the width.

Sidewall height on a 205/55 = 112.75mm
Sidewall height on a 225/50 = 112.5mm
Sidewall hright on a 245/45 = 110.25mm

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: 944 man
452s +1

= 453s! []

(I'll add my recommendation to Simon's. I guess that therefore makes 454s ... [] )


Oli.

 

[Eldavo]

It looks like I may well go for the 452s for the rear. I've got some Michelins in the garage the right size for the fronts, they were on the back of my fwd Audi so will be good to go.

 

[944 man]

The Falkens are extremely keenly priced, especially if you buy from Camskill or similar. Id strongly advice against only buying two.

 

[MRGT]

When I had my Octy vRS's I used both Falken 452's and Toyo T1R's, the Falkens were a little cheaper, quieter and lasted a bit longer, the Toyo's had a better grip (subjectively )and gave better feedback. When the damn P6000's fitted to my D90's finally run out of tread I will probably go with the T1R's as I suspect they will suit the 944 a little better.

Howard

 

[MarkK]

Not worth me starting a thread on this but i had to put it somewhere,opened my garage monday morning car sitting on a totally flat rear tyre (pretty new TR888s[&o]) put a stack of air in it with the tyre compressor managed to get it to the garage,they had a look, massive screw on the edge of course,tyre now scrap 170 quid for a new one,gutted, really didn't need that[]

 

[944 man]

It isnt scrap. You need to find one of the few specialists wholl make a proper vulcanised repair, which involves spending the night in a massive autoclave (just the tyre, not you too). Theres a firm in Rotherham who will be able to repair it for about £15-£20. Dont be put off by tyre fitters or people on forums who say that it cant be repaired: it can, although its not widely known. Itll be completely legal and perfectly safe, but whether any repair on this sort of tyre is advisable is another matter, of course.

Simon

 

[ChasR]

Falkens from what I hear seem to have good grip and good feedback all at a competitive price. I may change to them when the P6000s wear out, as I was considering other makes including Michelin Pilot Sports and Goodyear F1 Asymetrics.

Toyo T1-Rs grip the in the wet well but IMO they are devoid of any feel on previous cars. They grip and you turn... Even P6000s feel much better, but I put this down to P6000s having a tougher sidewall than the T1-R which TBF has the consistency of a balloon.

As 944 Man said, you can repair a tyre like that. I've had it done on previous tyres many times without no issues. But it does take time compared to a normal puncture. Mark, considering where you live, PM me and I'll tell you of a place near you (Rugby) which may be able to do the repair .

 

[MarkK]

Thanks for the replies chaps,much appreciated,i have already ordered a new tyre(black circles) for delivery tommorow,so with that in mind i will probably keep the "screwed" tyre as a repairable spare,very good to know though,so thanks for that both of you,Chas i think i made the error of parking next to the skips(when we came back from our spin) last weekend on an industrial estate outside a unit with engineering going on maybe that was not such a good idea!,could have happened anywhere i suppose but my money is on that,very stupid of me...doh![]

 

[Hilux]

452s +1

Plus 2

TOYO T1R

Had 452`s on the 944T and on the Golf. Great tyres and just got rid of the worn 452`s on the Golf and fitted T1-R`s. Great improvement in ride but they are a 50 profile and the overall sidewall width is greater with more rounded shoulders so I have slight issue with having to raise the height by 15mm and a reduced camber so they dont hit the coilover collars and wheel arch top.

The Falkens didnt have this issue so if you want to fill your arches without rubbing issues the the Falkens are the better bet but after heat cycling are not as sticky.

 

[Hilux]

I may change to them when the P6000s wear out

You`ll have a bus pass by then []