I've read several of the recent threads related to the various tires we all use. I am running BF Goodrich g-force kds. Actually, I inherited the tires when I bought the car. The rears are totally shot at this point,...nothing left,..but the
fronts are in good shape. They, apparently, are discontinued, so do I now just buy a complete set of 4 or is mixing/matching tolerable. I am simply an enthusiatic driver, no d.e. But the car is lowered and has bilstein hd/sport so it may be a tad more sensitive than a stock car?
Any feedback is much appreciated.

Rich

 

Rich,

The Cardinal Rule about tires on a 911 is to replace all four.

Mixing & matching tires on these cars guarantees a sphincter-tightening experience (or worse).

 

I would never use mis-matched tires. If your tires are discontinued they are probably at or past their safe-user date. Check the date on the sidewalls, if they're 5-years + old they should be replaced anyway...

 

Rich,

I am in the same situation

I have Toyo T1-s and they were discontinued with the new version T1R

Tire are 4 years old.

My fronts are perfect, rears are slicks

I am replacing all four and selling the fronts.

falken fk52-a little bit more for a full set vs pair of Toyo rears- $361 for set of four including shipping

check out www.edgeracing.com they have some good deals.

John

 

Boy, I may be the only one with a different opinion. I remember reading lots of threads on this subject in the past and conclusion was it was okay to have different tires on front vs back. Idealy all four from the same company is best....but why waste a good set of tires? I went through this I currently have different brands in front vs rear and no problems...I don't track.
abe

 

HAHAhahahah......
yeah, let's ignore Steve & Pete on this one & mix tires like a cheap addict.
convince yourselves: to optimize 911 handling, it was Ferry's secret fix.
...& report back.

 

Like someone mentioned above, just sell the fronts. Clapped out Chevy: ok to mix tires; Porsche: not ok.

 

As a relatively new car owner, you should baseline the car with a new set,--front and rear. As Pete suggests, the age of that rubber may be older than you think. Tires are critical on sports cars and more so on the 911 with some of its tricky handling. Do yourself a favor and bite the bullet,--and replace all four. Then get ready to buy another set of rears in a year or so!

 

newbie question, what do you usually change first (in general) the rear or the front wheels? sorry for the stupid question,,



_______________
jeep oem information

 

Hi Rich,

How do you drive your car? Are you canyon carving every day? Seriously. Or are you commuting and taking the occasional spirited romp on the on-ramps?

Here's my take, and take it for what it's worth: we don't all need the killer tire combo for street driving. You can be plenty safe and still have plenty grip with decent f/r balance without having matched tires (ok, ok,if you see al lot of rain, then maybe matched is more important).

BFG G-force kds are pretty decent tires! I'd double check that they are truly in good shape ...no cracking and not hard. Do they still stick well despite the worn rears? If all "passes muster," then I'd say go ahead and get a good pair of rears. Just err in the side of more grip. At worse, you'll have more stick in the rear, and just have to deal with some mild understeer ...which you can correct for in a 911

And of course, just IMHO

Edward

 

my tyres are coming up to about 5 years old now and for the last 6 months I've noticed a distinct increase in understeer.
They look ok, wear evenly and there is lots of tread on them, so it's a shame to have to replace them, but I want my old handling back so... new set all round

 

Hey,...THANKS for all the responses. I guess I kinda knew the answer,..but hey, a guy can be optimistic. I think I have about 8000 miles on the set and this is mostly "enthusiastic" vermont country roads. They are only 2 yr old, but with the rear nearly down to the cords, it's definately funky right now. THANKS for the experienced and thoughtful feedback!!

Rich

 

I was going to chime in earlier, but I thought I would see how it went first. I'm glad to see agreement to keep all four the same.

People ask me all the time if they can mix. CAN you? Sure but you don't know what you are going to get until you do. SHOULD you mix- no.

 

I have the G-force sport. I hope they do not get disscontinued...I love them. I hear the KD's are alot stickier and more exspensive.

 

Call me crazy but .....
Using different rubber front to back will only change understeer or oversteer.
If it is dramatic, adjust your settings on the car. Uh oh, I just realized you need adjustable sway bars for that. Do you have them?
I'll go back to work now.
And yes I don't have a matching set.