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Tire data point - The RED or the BLUE Pill?

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Old 09-20-2018, 05:19 PM
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pp000830
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Default Tire data point - The RED or the BLUE Pill?

Some here go berzerk when I report that I use the Achilles brand of tires, I think I'm taking the RED pill others will insist I am taking the BLUE, as Morpheus might say...all I'm offering is the facts nothing more:
I have been using Achilles ATR Sport tires for years, this is my third or fourth set of rear tires. and I'm on my second set of fronts.
A set of four for my car run $330 plus the cost of getting them mounted locally.
I replace my tires long before they hit the tread depth indicators.
These tires are clearly not grippy, but for street use, very long lasting (UTQG: 400AAA)..
I last replaced these rear tires in 2015, the fronts are five years old and still have most of their tread showing with no rot in the sidewalls.
Rear tires Achilles ATR Sport 265/35R18XL 97W BSW ($95.22/ea) from tire-easy.com
Front tires Achilles ATR Sport 225/40R18XL 92W BSW ($69.70/ea.)includes road hazard coverage and free delivery.
Andy

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Old 09-20-2018, 06:47 PM
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IainM
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Very economical for sure and to make you feel good, I just replaced my $900 Pirelli Trofeos after 5000miles and 7 months - but that's not why I bought a 993. The cars only as good as its tires so for me, its the best upgrade I can think of.

Not sure I have the restraint to drive 3/10 all the time.
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Old 09-20-2018, 07:04 PM
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Churchill
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*raises fist*

I'm also a proponent of cheap tires on high-performance (street-driven) sports cars. Sumitomo HTRZ 3's for me on the 993. It's hilarious over on the 991 forum to see guys dropping upwards of $2K on tires when lame street driving doesn't take us even close to the car's performance edge.
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Old 09-20-2018, 08:46 PM
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SwayBar
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Originally Posted by Churchill
*raises fist*

I'm also a proponent of cheap tires on high-performance (street-driven) sports cars. Sumitomo HTRZ 3's for me on the 993. It's hilarious over on the 991 forum to see guys dropping upwards of $2K on tires when lame street driving doesn't take us even close to the car's performance edge.
This is the TRUTH!

In addition to my 993, I have two 928's, a GT and an S4 5-speed. The GT has Pilot Sport 2's, and the S4 Sumi HTRZ 3's.

We are experienced Road America drivers, and when we go out and hit the back roads, we drive the cars pretty hard. Yet despite our driving credentials, there is always more than enough tire for our aggressive but safe driving. In other words, the HTRZ 3's are every bit as good as the PS2's on the street and back roads.

Psychologically, the PS2's have an edge, but once burning around the back roads, there are no appreciable differences between the two sets of tires.

If you have to have PS2's/PS4's, go for it, an excellent tire. Otherwise, the HTRZ 3's are more than good enough for street duty.
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Old 09-21-2018, 12:28 AM
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Twilightblue28A
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I drive my car on the expressway, expressway ramps, and the city streets of Philadelphia. In the summer, I drive on the Atlantic City Expressway to the beach.
I am so glad that I found this post! I will look at my tires, dated 2009, which have plenty of tread.
I am refinishing the wheels due to a little curb rash and I need to remove my tires to refinish my wheels. If my tires are dry rotted, I will replace my tires identified in pp00830's post. Even if my tires are not dry rotted, since my wheels will be off the car, I will replace my tires identified in pp00830"s post.
I do not race my car. This seems to be perfect timing!
Thank you!!
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Old 09-21-2018, 12:32 AM
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Turbodan
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if the tires are 9 years old they will have poor grip.
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Old 09-21-2018, 12:39 AM
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Twilightblue28A
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Originally Posted by Turbodan
if the tires are 9 years old they will have poor grip.
Thank you!! I never noticed. Your comment further supports my plan to replace my current tires with the tires identified in pp00830's post.
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Old 09-21-2018, 12:43 AM
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Churchill
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Originally Posted by SwayBar
the HTRZ 3's are every bit as good as the PS2's on the street and back roads.

Psychologically, the PS2's have an edge, but once burning around the back roads, there are no appreciable differences between the two sets of tires.

If you have to have PS2's/PS4's, go for it, an excellent tire. Otherwise, the HTRZ 3's are more than good enough for street duty.
Same here. Many years of experience track driving, and also have a 991S. The new 911's especially are so capable the tire debate for street driving is silly. You can push the limits of a 993 on the street. On a 991 you don't get close. The choice of tire is basically irrelevant.
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Old 09-21-2018, 08:46 AM
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norbtx
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Emergency stopping distance? Worth if for just a few more feet? Or not.
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Old 09-22-2018, 02:48 PM
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MrRoboto
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Just curious, what's the country of origin for the Achilles tires?
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Old 09-22-2018, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by MrRoboto
Just curious, what's the country of origin for the Achilles tires?
I'm pretty sure a Google search will help answer your question.
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Old 09-22-2018, 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by MrRoboto
Just curious, what's the country of origin for the Achilles tires?
Indonesia
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Old 09-22-2018, 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by pp000830
Indonesia
I heard that Achilles makes great durable tires and their tires are reasonably priced. I'm buying a complete set for my 1995 C-4 Cabriolet for approximately $250.00, free shipping!! Thank you pp00830!!
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Old 09-24-2018, 09:00 AM
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Two things to me are most important brakes and tires especially on my turbo which can kill if you have the wrong tires. I have tried many brands over the years and after driving on PS2's then PSS and now the PS4S I wouldn't consider another tire period. I drive hard and traction is critical but quality of build is also. I just can't imagine why saving money on something as important as tires on cars like this is even a consideration.

You can't tell me that these others come remotely close. Tire rack puts a lot of info and my experiences tell me these charts are pretty accurate. What might be good in dry might not be in wet and so on. Even more so I see a lot of guys come into my friends shop trying to save a few bucks on tires for a car they just dumped tens of thousands on and bumped the power up to 500 wheel power using stock brakes and crappy tires. I just shake my head. One of the tires they have issues with more than others are the Sumitomo's. They have had more issues with them road balancing properly. They will high speed balance but when roady force is applied they are usually out of round by more than can be adjusted for and need to have them swapped out for others. There are some brands mentioned they won't even mount due to bad history of failing.

Porsche recommends a max of 6 years before replacing. I wouldn't go that long if they are tires you drive hard. Even the Michelins will dry rot after 6 years.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...ay.jsp?type=MP

If you are looking for a good all around tire continental DW's are a decent tire for the money but that is as far as i would go.
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Old 09-24-2018, 10:24 AM
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Meenrod
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Originally Posted by norbtx
Emergency stopping distance? Worth if for just a few more feet? Or not.
This is exactly why I can't buy cheap tires. A few more feet can be the difference between crashing or hitting a pedestrian. Not worth it in my own opinion .
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