Tyres for 1973 911 2.4S

[pattleg]

Hi everyone,

Apologies if this question has been done to death in the past, but a search on the forums didn't deliver the answer I was looking for.

I've just acquired a 1973 2.4S and the tyres need changing. The car has been in storage for a few years and the tyres are thus old/hard and not necessarily correct for the car.

When I look online, I seem to be pushed towards the classic tyres: Pirelli Cinturato CN36 185/70 VR 15 or the same size Michelin XWX.
Do any of you have any experience with running the car on what would be period tyres, or do people tend to go for more modern tyres? I'm conscious of not 'over tyring' the car with something too soft and sticky.

Thanks in advance,

Graham Pattle

 

[bernard tester]

I have run early 911s for over 20 years and always used 185x70x15 but fitted a new set of Avon 195x65x15 to my targa this year and am very happy with them done quite a few miles including trip to Le Mans and a set of 4 cost me about the same as 1 185x70x15 very pleased with them.

 

[pattleg]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I did run Avons over the old Michelins on my 1958 Speedster and they certainly worked well. That could be a good shout.

 

[MikeChampion]

Hi Graham,

Firstly, congratulations on your purchase!

This is often one question you won't get a simple answer to. Tyres seem to have a lot of personal preference around them, with lots of different cars and lots of different driving styles and usage profiles. At the end of the day, I would say go with something that suits your style of driving and matches the capability of your car and how you want to present it. Tyre technology has come a long way in 45 years, and there are both period correct profiles and modern options that would all work very well indeed on a standard '73.

There are a few brands out there now that are very good value IMHO, and I appreciate and totally understand your comment regards 'no need to over-tyre' the car......don't really want to start another forum debate though [], but feel free to send us a PM if you want my personal view. The manufacturers and suppliers who are happy to let you try a set before buying are worth following up with, as this will give you a direct understanding of what you are buying into before committing.

Best regards,

Mike.

 

[pattleg]

Thanks Mike.
PM in your Inbox.

 

[KIRK]

I have a 2.2 911 "S" which I have owned for six years. The wheels are 15 x 6 'deep six' Fuchs. If your car is on its factory wheels they should be 15 x 6 'flat six'. When I purchased my car it was on Pirelli tires of 60 section which had poor wet grip in my view. Currently I use Michelin XWX 185 / 70 x 15. This was the tire fitted when my car left the factory. Party they were selected for the period correct tread pattern. However, they use modern compounds and tire construction so are far superior to the originals. These are not a cheap option. However, they provide a compliant ride, have good wet and dry weather grip and provide a progressive break away when really pushed very hard on the twisty bits. They also appear pretty durable after more than 6000 miles. Early LWB 911s were designed for the above tire size and section and in my view greater tread width or a lower profile are not an appropriate match for the standard suspension. I have friends who run Pirelli CN 36 and are very happy with them and others who use very inexpensive tires.
Two days ago I had the opportunity to drive an 1973 RS which had lower profile tires than used by the factory on 7" wide front wheels & 8" on the rears.The ride was compromised even on smooth road surfaces.
Of course, as has been stated elsewhere, tire choice is a matter of budget and personal driving style.

 

[pattleg]

Hi Kirk,

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. As suspected, this certainly needs thinking through. I understand your point about the Michelins and Pirelli tyres comprising of a more modern compound and being of better overall construction.
I'm also comfortable with the car being progressive, in terms of grip. I race an old Lotus Cortina and we are required to use the old Dunlop Historic tyres, so I've got used to cars moving under me.

All the best
Graham

 

[majorporsche]

On my 1972 2.4S I'm using Verdenstein 185/70/15 and am very happy with them. They are rated to 130 mph.

 

[Nick Moss]

On my 1972 2.4S I'm using Verdenstein 185/70/15 and am very happy with them. They are rated to 130 mph.

I wouldn't want to use these on a car capable of 140+ mph.

 

[pattleg]

Hi MajorP,

Thanks for the reply. It's likely I'll go for something rated to the full top speed, even if I don't get there very often.

Regards

Graham

 

[majorporsche]

Just to clarify I don't exceed that speed and it would be stupid to do so in such a rated tyre !

Even here

 

[jamescharnley]

Massive debates on DDK on this subject. Personally, I struggle to get my head around putting almost £1000 worth of tyres on a car which is what the new 'period' tyres seem to come out at. But, I've got many friends running eith Avons , Michelin or the new Pirelli's at correct period sizing & they all love them. IF I finally decide to go down that route , then I feel it will the be the new Pirelli I'll go with.

Saying that .. I've run 195/65 on my 2.4S for the past 15 years .. of various makes with some better than others. Currently running some continentals which I find fantastic once i've dialed in approriate tyre pressures. I drive my car very hard on tight twisty yorkshire dales roads and find the grip on these modern 'normal' tyres great. Best thing is modern 195/65 cost hardly anything , so if you're not happy, you can always put them on some spare wheels which can be fitted to the car if its going to be sat for a while which would allow your expensive tyres / wheels to be placed on a rack so they dont flat spot.

 

[pattleg]

Yes, they are pretty expensive. Speaking to the guys at Longstone and they said they'll do a discount and free delivery, so that will help.

To me, there seems to be a growing feeling that running period style tyres, if they have a sensible more modern compound that works well in the wet, is the way to go. The cars and tyres were designed with each other in mind. So, I'm going to try that route.

I race a Lotus Cortina in Historic racing series, and we have to run the Dunlop L and M section CR race tyres. They are expensive and, whilst ok in the dry, they are heart stoppingly poor in the wet. BUT, if we tried to run on a more modern. sticky, compound we would break the cars. The cars need to move around.

Thanks for the reply. All valid points.

Graham

 

[MikeChampion]

Out of interest for this discussion, some footage from earlier this year from my SWB car at Silverstone. This was on Blockley 185/70VR15's, which were very progressive in their response and gave plenty of information about how they were behaving at the limit with changing throttle, fuel load and track conditions etc, and seemed to have no problem keeping up with the Caymans and 997's (on the bends at least!). This was on a track, and a very enjoyable experience it was too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKnxV8_jTDE

I've got no commercial interest in plugging one tyre vs another, and on the road I think I would be hard-pressed to find the limit any different from any other performance tyre set-up 'in period' with factory tyre sizes and geometry, and the occasions where any difference could be exploited would be few and far between. Certainly agree with James about prohibitive costs, and can't see the need for spending even close to £1000 for some options, so I've been really pleased to find something that looks correct, keeps that in-period feel, and doesn't break the bank.

Respecting the fact that we all make our own choices, as long as the tyre ticks all your own preferences for safety, fun, suitability and budget, then you can't really go wrong. Just don't spend more than you need to [].

 

[majorporsche]

This was an Autobild Vintage Tyre test

Modern tyre technology paired with classic dimensions: German classic car magazine Auto Bild Klassik (issue 7/2016) has tested four such tyres. A Porsche 911 E2.4 served as test car; it was put through its paces fitted with the quartet of size 185/70 R15H/V/W brands.

The recently-developed, Porsche-approved Pirelli CN 36 N4 was rated an ‘exemplary’ product by the Auto Bild Klassik tested and was the clear winner of the four-tyre test. The Vredestein Sprint Classic received a solid ‘good’ rating, while the Michelin Collection XWX was penalised for shortcomings in its wet performance and had to make to with a ‘satisfactory’ rating. This result was, however, better than that given to the Blockley Radial TL – its performance in several wet disciplines led to it being rated ‘not recommended’.

 

[MikeChampion]

Oh no. Not 'that article' again. It surfaces every time someone mentions the 'B' word. Personally, I try not to take magazine articles (especially tyre tests) at face value, always preferred to do my own research (which is much more fun!).

 

[ChrisW]

I own a '73 2.4s with tyres that have plenty of tread but on which the outer shoulders of all four tyres are showing hairline cracks in the surface.

At what point should they be replaced?

I was looking at Pirelli CN36 N4 tyres at the Nurburgring Classic and from discussion with Pirelli --- it is great to have a tyre option that has been endorsed by Porsche for these older cars ... but the car has only done 8000 miles on the current tyres and missed the Nurburgring Classic because of a crack in the stainless steel oil tank (a £950 replacement from Porsche Classic) ... will I ever do 130 mph in it ?

But in my heart, I would always fit the best tyres ... just as I fitted a new oil tank ... with fixings to prevent future cracking ...

 

[Dougal Cawley]

Hi

I think this article is probably the most independent way of looking at it https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/media/wysiwyg/longstone/english-website/porsche/porsche-classic-article.pdf

But it is also interesting to point out that Porsche them selves recommend the Cinturato CN36 hence the N4 hommologation

 

[pattleg]

I've only done a few miles so far on the Pirelli Cinturato CN36 tyres fitted to the car.

First impressions are good. They give me confidence even if only at medium loading (given I'm yet to fit my new dampers and the front ones are knackered).
The other thing is that they also 'look right' on the car.

 

[Dougal Cawley]

Hi

This is Pirelli's web page about their classic tyres https://www.pirelli.com/t...w/car/collection

At the bottom it tells you were the international dealers are