[William Miller]

In the 6 plus years I've had a 911, this is the 1st time I actually have to buy new tires. All the other either came with the wheels or came with the car.
Too bad I have to spend the money, but since my current rubber is almost down to track only tread depth, what's out there that's good and bad in 2008?

I've read on here many opinions in the past, but now that it's my turn, I'll actually listen!

There seem to be so many choices it makes my head spin!

I'm looking for good street tires that I can use on the track when they wear down.
I have a few sets of BBS RS wheels 7 & 8's and 8 & 9's.
I was planning on using the 7&8's on the street and putting the used rubber on the 8 & 9's for track use later.
These are 16" wheels.

Need occasional rain use, but not likely snow.

[Lupin..the..3rd]

You want 888's. You know you do.

[Jazzbass]

Worn street tires aren't necessarily the best track tires. Do you want street tires that can handle the occasional DE (say 1 or 2 a year) or track tires you can drive on?

Issue #1 is the tire sizes you want - 245/45 16 and 225/50 16 - are getting hard to find in street tires. I just bought a set of street tires for my Fuchs after getting a set of 17s for the track, and I was shocked at how little choice there was in street tires, esp for the 245/45.

Were I you, I'd try to find a set of RA1s. Paul at Radial might still have some. Good summer street tires with rain treads at full depth. Scrub them in and they're great track tires.

R888s suck. I'm done with them. BFG R1 or Hoho R6 coming up.

[roundel]

OK here is a thread up my ally. I am pleased with the BFG G Force Sports. They are under $100 for each corner, they handle track abuse, and of course are fine for the street since they are street tires. The fronts on my Carrera lasted 18 track days! The rears lasted about 10 track days. YMMV but you should get MORE life out of tires than I do.

OK don't believe me. Skip Barber uses these tires on his "Skippy" cars or formula cars.

I am sure there are faster street tires out there, but these are available in the sizes we need, they have long tread bands that resist chunking, and they are CHEAP!

[Dr K]

I've been happy with Toyo T1S and T1R (I think the latter is the current model). These are straight street tires, and, as said above, for mixed track use, the RA1s are great (and they are still being made in 205, 225, and 245 widths for 16" wheels last I checked). I agree about the 888s - RA1s last longer and seem to hold just as well or close, and also seem more forgiving about tire pressure.

The BFGs Bob talks about seem to be a LOT less expensive, however...

[William Miller]

Clarification:
I want good street tires with occasional DE.
I hope to be back next year and have many sessions before I need to go to R-compounds. Not ready to spend the $$ either. Also with these size tires, and driving at reasonable street speeds, I really don't ned them.

As Chris said, (Confirmed after looking today) there arn't many choices.
I couldn't find where BFG made the 245/45/16. Dunlop made that size in one type, but didn't have the 225/50/16 in the same type.

I think I'm down to the T1R's
I stopped by Radial late afternoon. They had good prices (as always) but didn't have the size in stock. I didn't place the order yet because I wanted to take more time and see if I could find any other options. I'll probably get off the fence tomarrow.

[realroadrage]

I don't know if they still make them, but Bridgestone Potenza S03s are the best performance street tires I've ever driven.

[good hands]

Originally Posted by William Miller

Clarification:


I think I'm down to the T1R's

I have them and don't like them. The side wall allows for a lot of flex.
The Yokohama es 100 felt much better on the track than the t1r and was about the same price. ( this was in a 996 )

x2 on the S03's but more expensive.

[arob]

I'm running Hankook RS2s and am happy with them. ~$80/ea. from EdgeRacing. Since I only have one set of wheels, I use them for DE as well.

[hoophead]

Originally Posted by mscheidt

I don't know if they still make them, but Bridgestone Potenza S03s are the best performance street tires I've ever driven.

I had a set of S02A's that rocked. Several instructors commented they couldn't believe they were street tires. I ran them all last year and still have 50% of the tread left.