red targa

I am getting ready to replace my tires, and would like to try get some suggestions on what I should get.

I have a '96 Targa with a lowered suspension (by approx. 1-1.5 inches), and 17 inch wheels. The previous owner fitted 215/45 Michelins in front, and 245/40 Silverstones (I haven't heard the brand before either) in the back.

I don't do much track, and it's raining about 50% of the time here. The ride is pretty hard due to the lowered suspension, I suspect.

So, I would like to get tires that have good grips in the wet and dry, less noisy, and more comfortable.

Should I stay with 215/45 & 245/40 or get wider tires? I heard that S03's are pretty good, but somewhat noisy.

Thanks,


John

Anir

John,

I can't accurately address your tire size question, since my car is a wide body (18" wheels and much wider rubber). However, I noticed that you do a lot of wet weather driving, and I can tell you that S-02s have fantastic wet weather handling/security and good dry traction as well (I've used them on several track days). Even with the introduction of S-03s, I bet you can still find S-02s. However, the S-03s may be even better in the wet, though I've heard rumblings that the dry traction took a hit in the transition.

Ray Calvo

First, I see no reason why you can't go to 225/45 fronts and 255/40 rears, so long as you have 7" front and 9" rear width (minimum)wheels.

RE tires: if you throw in cost and mileage, I'll vote for the Bridgestone RE730. Might be down on dry traction compared with S03 but you can pay for a set of RE730s and 6-12 months insurance for the 993 for the saem amount as you'd shell out for the S03's. I know I can have fun with them on the street.

os993

As Ray said, if you OEM 17" wheels, go with 225/45/17 in front and 255/40/17 in rear.

So far I've tried Bridgestone RE730's, S0-2 Pole-Positions and Pirelli P-Zero's (currently on car).

SO2-PP were good in rain, but sucked on the track - would never buy them again.

RE730's were good all-around. No complaints.

P-Zero's, so far, are excellent on street, wet or dry, and did very well on the track a few weeks ago - car handled VERY neutrally (225's vs. 205's in front help a lot) and lost traction in a very controlled way (controlled 4 wheel drifts) Also, check the prices on these - very reasonable, to say the least.

Until further notice, P-Zero's are my flavor of choice!

E. J. - 993 Alumni

Ray and I always agree on this point. Why do we need to spend so much money on tires for the street? If you need more tire that the 730s on the street, you are driving way too hard. They are great and cost half the amount of a set of super tires.

E. J.

Edward

My $.02
I've got Yokohama's AVS Sport in 215/45 and 255/40 on 17" factory cups. I've only had them for about 8K, but so far I think they're great!
In dry, very predictable and very progressive with good feedback. Very forgiving as well; I never felt like they were going to "bite back." As a plus, they're comfortable and quiet, as far as high perf tires go anyway.
In wet, I've only been in rain a few times with these and I have no other basis for comparison, but they seem predictable in rain, as well. Bonus: they're cheaper than the S02,S03, or MichPilots.
BTW, Tire Rack has their own tesing results on their site. They review both the AVS Sport and the RE 730...you might want to check it out.

Edward

os993

For street, not too much tire is needed, but for occassional track events, a bit more performance might justify higher performing tires.

Compare the prices (from Tire Rack):
255/40/17 RE730's $160 - Ultra High Performance Tires.
255/40/17 Pirelli P-Zeros $185 - Maximum Performance Tires.

So, for $25 extra dollars, you get a superior tire - a no-brainer for me. As for other tires at around $250, perhaps this is too much to justify (was for me)

Either way you can't go wrong.

leslie

Having spent a little time in Taiwan outdoors (Most of us Singaporeans have to go there for military training) I can safely say that when it rains, it pours tropical storm style. Weather is similar here in Singapore (rain wise anyway) and thus I can see why there is concern about wet weather performance. Most of us here would say that the wet weather performance of the Perelli is inferior to that of the Bridgestones (Be they S02s or S03s) and if you think the S03s are noisy, well the P-zero (non-rossos) are much noisier.
However, if you are getting the tires from tirerack at a mere $25 premium to the RE730s and the Bridgestones are at the $250 level, then if I were in your shoes, I would get the P-zeros.
Hope that helps

BTW: Silverstones are a Bridgestone affiliate that produces tires in Malaysia mainly for the Malaysian market.

CAA

While we are at it....I'm about to have my rears replaced and my mechanic recommended the Toyo Proxes (sp)? Has anyone had experience with these? My other concern is that I have a C4 and although I have plenty of tread left up front, he recommended only changing the rears. Is it bad to have two different brands of tires on the front and rear?

Jim Sullivan

CAA, on a 911 it's kind of important to have matching rubber all around. These cars are very sensitive to what's underneath them, and they can get very squirrely, even with the same tires with different wear. I would endorse the Toyos (haven't had them on my 911, but I'd consider them since I was very happy with them on my Audi).. they are less expensive than the Bridgestones, are much quieter, seem to wear better, exhibit high quality, etc.

red targa, I don't know.. based upon your described predominant street use, I would definitely go back to 205X50 and 255X40 per the original sizing from the factory. Why fight all of their research and efforts to match car with suspension and tire? And the 225 size looks goofy on the 7" factory wheel IMO.. it just doesn't fit well on the narrow rim. Find someone who has this set-up and make up your own mind though (be sure that you are looking at a factory 7" and not a Mille Miglia copy at 7.5"). As Ray and EJ said, on the street maximum performance is not the only issue, but must balance with comfort, noise, value and wear.

red targa

Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions. I double checked the tires and found out that I actually have 215/45/17 and 255/40/17 now.

I am inclined take up Jim's suggestion to switch to 205/50/17 (front), maybe this will improve the ride a bit. (Assuming going from profile of 45 to profile of 50 will not cause problems due to lowered suspension?)

Pricing in Taiwan for tires is at least 15% higher than the prices listed on Tirerack, but with less selections. A couple of friends of mine switched to S03's, and were pretty happy with them. Are there any grade differences for S03's?

Thanks,

John

Greg Fishman

The Toyo T1-S is an excellent tire and I would highly recommend it, comparable dry traction to the p-Zero and better wet traction, also seems much quieter.
As mentioned before, don't mix brands or model of tires. Either replace them all or find the same tires to replace the worn out rear ones.
Greg

bet

Is there any on line store that carries and ships Toyos? I have read and heard good things about the tires and I thought they were suppose to be less expensive than the Bridgestones. However, when I called the only tire store in town that carries Toyo, I was quoted a price that was much more expensive than the Bridgstone S0-2's. Anyone that has used the T1-S can you comment on price? Thanks

Jim Sullivan

bet, for Toyos, Treadepot has the Proxes T1S in 205X50X17 for $148 and 255X40X17 for $162.

Toyos at Treadepot

Greg Fishman

Go to www.wheel1.com they carry the toyo's and have good prices, they have a shop in Dayton,OH, Chicago and Atlanta. Their website is not as current as it should be but there are prices for the tires. I bought some 18's and the price was very good compared to Pirelli or Bridgestones. Ask for Dave Schardt.

Greg