Tyres - The right stuff (advice required)

[gilbert911]

I've sort of had this going on another thread but didn't want to hijack, so I'm starting another....

Deep 6's on the front
7's on the rear (73RS style not 7R)

What's the best tyre combo for me for fast road use.??
Please answer from technical perspective rather than $ price.
I think the right tyre is crucial and am prepared to pay to get the right stuff

Thanks

[denson]

I would go with a 195 65 15 set up. Best of both worlds here, if you do not want 100% originality. The height to the wheel well is perfect as oppossed to a 60 series, they offer more road patch without interfering with the wheel wells and they look great.

John

[kenikh]

With 6s in front and 7s in rear, I do go with the 195/65s up front and 215/60s in the rear if you like a higher sidewall.

[hgarazo]

Kenik,

What high performance tires are available in 215/60? I heard that is a tough size to get?

Thx,

[Scott Clarke]

The only 215/60s that are better than H rated and also available in 195/65 are Pirelli P6000, as far as I can tell.
-Scott

[Tom F.]

I think that Michelin still makes 185/70-15 in the legendary XWX, which would be correct for the front. You could check with Coker to see whether the 205/60-15 is available for the rear. These are very expensive, but they are supposedly specially made in a factory in France.

[denson]

The Pirelli 6000 is a good tire in that it is quiet, has stiff enough side walls and is not ridiculously priced. I have not seen a 215x60 in the rear with a regular 7 inch fuchs on the earlier cars. My opinion is that when you start to go to a 60 series tire you are really going out of the original theme. I do not see a huge benefit of the 7 inch in the rear. The R wheel will assist you in not worrying about rubbing on the fender lip and will allow you to use a 65 series tire, worry free.

Some like the setup. I think you can get where you want with other ideas that work.

Everyone here has an opinion. Some are based upon intended vehicle use, some on originality, some on cost and others on look. You have to figure out what you will use the car for and if you desire to stay with or close to the original theme For me, I do not track my car, want to stay close to the original theme and need the car to handle well. That is why I use stock 15x6 deep sixes with the Pirelli 195x65x15 p 6000.

Good luck

John

[andyjboy]

Chris - depends whether you want to stick to the original 'period-correct' sizes or are prepared to go to lower profiles.

If you want to stay within period then you can get 185/70 & 215/60x15 Avon CR6ZZ 'Historic Rally' road-legal competition tyres in these sizes. However, the fronts are available only in HR-rated form - rears are VR-rated.

I have a set of these on some 7&8 x15's - as have Philip Taysom (PMJT) & Mike Birtwistle (210bhp) on their original Carrera RS's. You could pm them on DDK to canvas their opinions or do a search on recommended tyres there.

If you are prepared to go to a lower profile, then the usual fitment is 205/55 & 225/50x15 but you are still limited to relatively few brands which offer the same tread pattern in both sizes.

You can get :

Dunlop SP Sport 9000

Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2

Toyo Proxes T1-R

Falken ZE512 ZiEX

[kenikh]

You can get :

Dunlop SP Sport 9000

Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2

Toyo Proxes T1-R

Falken ZE512 ZiEX

Yokohama also has these in the AVS ES100

[JCR]

I have P 6000s 195/65 on shallow 6es and 215/60 on Harvey made shallow 7Rs.

Considering the sidewall height, I'm very happy with the tire performance, much better grip than the previous Michelins. Note the sidewall shape on the rear of this particular tire is slightly different than the front - a bit more "balloon-y". I haven't been able to decide if I like it, or not, or don't really care. Just FYI.