Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi - As part of sorting out bits and bobs on my new purchase, I need to replace what look like VERY old Federal tyres on my 1987 944 Lux . . .

Currently it's running 225/60R15 on the front and 215/60R15 on the rear (on teledials).

Am thinking that I don't really need such wide tyres, so would be interested on views on that, and what brands are recommended.

Many thanks,

Howard

I think you might need them.
My 944 Lux has the same but are 16" D wheels fitted with Hankook Ventus tyres and I have total faith in the cars ability wet or dry.

Sure that's not back to front?
I'm running Falkens on 16" and really like them, good value, not unstuck them yet, touch wood. They do produce a fair bit of road noise though.

The wider should be on the back but you'd be better with a square setup.

Stock is 215/60/15 but not too many options in those these days. Alternatives are 185/70, 195/65, 205/60 and 225/60.

My car had 225/60/15's on the back and 215/60/15's on the front. The 225's are actually too big and make the wheel diameter bigger so actually effect your gearing and acceleration.

The factory fitment is 215/60/VR 15 on both front and back. on 7 inch and 8 inch width wheels.

I spent ages trying to find a suitable tyre in this size and didn't want to spend vast amounts on Pirelli P6000's which don't have good reviews anyway. There aren't many V rated tyres in this size.

I ended up getting Toyo Proxes CF1's as they are V rated, have good reviews and are about £50 a tyre. They aren't described as a sports car tyre but are described as a fast saloon car tyre. I took this as only being due to the fact that sports cars don't feature 15 inch wheels these days. They are rated up to 150mph.

It's all personal opinion in the end but my car felt much smoother in the corners and a bit more spritely after fitting the new tyres. I do think four new matching size tyres on a lux makes a big difference.

There are some yokohama's in this size but they are more money and I don't think they warrant the extra cost.

Sorry, yes, wider one on the rear . . .

The one who really knows his stuff swears by Barum Bravuris II .... I think they will be my rears next year...

I tried to get Barum Bavarius II's for mine. They are not V rated so the tyre fitters would not fit them on my car. Madness really as Jon would know better than them.

Is there a V rated version of them?

Hi - yes, it looks like it, 195/60 R15 88V size anyway, 6th one down on this page:

http://promotyres.co.uk/Tyres/?q=Bravuris

They are described as a summer tyre: would they be ok on a cold rainy day? I certainly like the price.
Who is the legend Jon of whom you speak (am new to Porsche scene. . . .)

Cheers, Howard

Jon Mitchell

JMG Garage very well respected Porsche Specialist

My opinions are different it has to be said and conflict with known sources but it is my view .

The Barums IMHO are not a bad tyre. They are not better than everything else out there however IME ;my dad's BMW E36 drove better on the Goodyear NCT 5s (but I never minded that tyre on another car) than it did on the Barums, but then they were an improvement over the Pirelli P6000s that went onto the car later (they were part worns).

The Toyo CF1s that come recommended from Bow Runner are a great tyre. I found them better than the T1-Rs which I have never found much cop in all honesty ; squishy sidewalls with poor wear rate ; my Clio is interesting in the wet with them on the rear ; maybe I should switch the wheels front to back...

The Conti Premiums are not a bad tyre either IME ; They were great on my Focus; the Conti Sport Contact 3s on the Clio are not too shabby at all, and are quite progressive.

I went for Barum Bavarius II's all round on my 924 after putting the spiderwebs on it earlier this year and so far really impressed with them although I havent driven the car in the rain or little more than a light shower. When pushed hard they do what they're meant to do and are far better than then uniroyals that I had on the older wheels.

In regards to their rating they are only H rated but to be realistic its a 924 not much chance of it sitting over 130mph

Everyone now and again seems to rave about Uniroyals ; they are good in the rain but their comically soft tread and sidewalls means that tyre lie is not all that and they can overheat on quite a spritied dry weather drive, my winters were not much worse in the summer if I am honest!

I put a set of Champiro HPY on 968, but I drive like Miss Daisey