Owner seeks right tire setup for 1985 Porsche 944

John Mahler

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Q: I own a 1985 Porsche 944 and have had it since 1986. It has 119,000 km on only the second set of tires (215/60R15) and they desperately need replacing.

I know that you owned a 1983/84 Porsche 944 well over 20 years ago because a friend of mine bought it from you.

He loved the car, especially the tire setup. You had a staggered setup that he raved about. I want to replicate your setup, but it is very hard to find 15-inch performance tires.

I know that this may seem like a strange request but if you could recall that tire combination I would certainly appreciate it.

A: Thanks for reminding me of that great car. It was Guard's Red with black Fuchs alloys. I loved the balance of that 944 Porsche. It made me a better driver.

I created the staggered tire setup with Ludwig Heimrath's help. He was a noted Porsche racer at the time. To the best of my memory, it had P225/55R15 fronts and P245/50R15 rears. The tires were Bridgestone RE-71's, the hot tip in go-fast rubber at the time. Alas those sizes and tires do not exist anymore.

You are correct, it is very hard to find 15-inch high performance tires anymore, so you are very limited in your choices unless you move up to 16-inch wheels like the 944 Turbo. There the tire sizes would be P225/55R16 front and P245/50R16 or P245/45R16 rears. In that sizing there are good tire choices.

In 16-inch, the stagger sizes are not common but these tires are available. If you want really sticky rubber, my choices in order are: Pirelli P6000, Bridgestone Potenza RE960 All-season Pole Position, Fuzion HRi, General Altimax, Pirelli P6.

Should you want to keep the car totally original with 15-inch wheels and P215/60R16 tires on all corners, there are a few good tire choices. My order of choice: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, Bridgestone Potenza RE960 A/S PP, General Altimax. And if you want a real hoot for a track day, Hoosier R6 street legal R-compound slicks are available in your size.

Q: I have a 2008 Porsche Cayman S. The car has the Michelin Pilot Sports from the factory. They need replacement. What do you think is the best value for money, good all-round tire yet a better-than-average on the track.

A: That's a tough request. Most street tires are not happy on the track and vice versa. However, a few do love both venues. Right now the state of the art tire for road and track is the Yokohama Neova.

If it does not come in the sizes you need, next choice would be the Toyo R1R, and the next choice would be the Bridgestone RE-050. Last choice is Michelin Pilot Sport PS2.

TIRE STORAGE WANTED

The Tire Talk column gets lots of reader mail asking where they can store their tires in the off-season. The Tire Guy would like to help. If you operate a wheel/tire storage facility or offer tire storage in conjunction with other tire services, please email me at thetireguy_1@hotmail.com.

I'd like to compile a list of services for our readers. Please include your fees for storage and/or changeover charges.

Email tire questions to John Mahler at thetireguy_1 @ hotmail.com. Please include vehicle's make, model and year, tire brand and size, as well as your name, address and phone number. Volume of mail prevents us from answering all queries or providing personal replies.

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