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16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 7:43 pm
by terryb
I've been running Hankook Ventus Z214 C71 on my 1988 911 but I've been told they are "temporarily out of production." Same with the Kuhmo V710s.

The wheels are 16". Any recommendations? Need to find something before the next AX.

Did the Toyo R888's improve?

Thanks!
-Terry

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 9:32 pm
by cag4
Bridgestone RE-11's are pretty incredible.

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 10:38 pm
by jbrennen
The Bridgestone RE-71R looks like it comes in sizes to fit a 1988 911 -- 205/55R16 & 225/50R16.

They're a "street tire" but honestly they grip more than anything I've driven except Hoosiers. For instance, the RE-71R is a class above the Toyo RA-1.

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 10:35 am
by stevemckay
The RE -11s are quite good even after multiple A/X's they are still performing well.

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 4:40 pm
by terryb
Thanks for the recommendation. The RE-11 has 225/50 and 245/45 in 16". Before I pull the trigger on these, any other suggestions?

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 5:29 am
by ttweed
Terry,
Did you try to order the Z214s from Tire Rack? They're showing low availability, but allowed me to put a pair of each of those sizes (225/245-16) in my cart just now. They were on special closeout pricing (less than $800 for all 4, with shipping) but they seemed to have a few. I'd try them again--sometimes their inventory comes and goes "magically." They also showed a few of the V710s in stock as well. A phone call and some inventory searching may turn something up.

If you're looking for something in the same stickiness (UTQG 40) for autox, you could always try the Hoosier A7 or the BFG g-Force R1 S for a little more $$$.

HTH,
TT

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 10:04 pm
by cag4
Terry, if you're OK with 200 treadwear tires, you really can't go wrong with those Bridgestone RE-11s. I have yet to find anything even remotely close in those sizes (also running 225 and 245). I got an entire season of auto-x and 3-5 big track events out of a set last year. they were predictable and stable and stuck like glue (sensitive to tire pressure) until they started cracking at chuckwalla (I had a new set of rears at home because I knew they were done, but tried to get one more track weekend out of them...doh!). All the guys I know with our older 911s with 16s swear by 'em.

I'd try the new RE-71Rs, but for some reason, they don't offer a 245. Only other choice for me is to go to a race tire, or 17" rims.

I know you need them before the 11th, or I'd say take a lap in my RSR and see what you think.

take care,
Charles

Charles

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 10:16 pm
by terryb
Thanks Tom and Charles. I did take a look at Tire Rack today and noticed that they had low availability and figured that I'd spend a bunch of time trying to get them only to end up with 3 and not enough time before the next AX to sort it out. I decided to give the RE-11 a try and see how they behave. I'm hoping that the treadwear number is optimistic and they stick better than the 200 would imply. Hopefully they're not slower than the Hankooks--I've got some fast competition in CC07!

Happy 4th and see you next weekend!

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 11:05 am
by Steve Grosekemper
Terry,
I think you will find the new RE-71R's are stickier than the old Z-214's.
It is more about fresh than compound when you get to this level of tire performance.
When these two adhesion profiles intersect will be anyone's guess.

Good luck on the 11th, I think your chances at a first place finish will be excellent!
No pressure... :wink:

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 1:37 pm
by terryb
Thanks Steve. As Charles mentioned the RE-71R doesn't have a 245 width for 16" wheels. So you're not going to be at the next event? That might be the only way I can beat you. ;)

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 2:20 pm
by jbrennen
For what it's worth, some of the SCCA pony car guys were switching from 305 Hankook RS3v2 tires to 275 Bridgestone RE-71R, and finding the narrower tire to be faster.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpost. ... stcount=12

I'd be willing to bet that RE-71R will be faster than RE-11, even after giving up 20mm of tread width. On the flip side, they won't last as long as the RE-11.

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 12:58 pm
by cag4
I'm really hoping Bridgestone will bust out a 245/45/16 size in the RE71r... it would be a no-brainer for me.
Charles

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 12:42 pm
by cag4
Rumor has it (Magnus Walker), that Pirelli are creating new sizes of the Trofeo R dot-legal racing tires (60 rating) in 15, 16 and 17" sizes... have yet to find confirmation and specific sizes yet, but this could be a good thing for us old car dudes...

https://www.facebook.com/magnuswalker911/posts/1012831962082706:0"

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 6:32 pm
by cag4
Gonna try something a little funky this weekend... bought a set of four Bridgestone RE71-Rs in 225/50/16 sizes... going to run square, reduce the rears from 245 to 225 and increase the sidewall from 45 to 50... let's see how sticky these new tires really are!

Re: 16" tire recommendations?

PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 6:25 am
by Robert Joe
You are going to love the RE-71. After your first event, you are going to look at the tires and be shocked how much they have worn. The good news is they don't wear at that rate at subsequent events. I like to scrub mine in at a 4-run event then take them off the car when I get home.

Compared to the previous generation hot street tire - Hankook RS3V2 and Dunlop ZII; they are about 1 second faster on a technical 60 second course. WT Wong thinks they are sticker than NT01.

My Dunlop ZII's would last around 120 runs before the lack of grip was at the "toss them out" point. I would be down about 1.5 seconds with those aged tires compared to my competitors. Put new ones on and bang my times are back up there.

My first set of RE-71R just hit that point at the 80 run mark on Sunday's event. The car was really loose and my fastest time was my 3rd run. I always pick up more time in P2 but not that day. Timed runs, I spun out, coned, DNF 3 laps due to no grip. Dialed it back on the 4th and ended up 1 second slower than the morning run. I will have new tires for Sunday!