DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Can anybody help with tyre suggestions for my 7" and 8" x 15's, which were the bigger size option on the RS. Need to replace my Bridgestone's which are no longer available in the sizes:

front 205/55-15 and rear 225/50-15

These sizes are now very rare, especially the 55 and 50 profiles so might have to go a little higher.

The only solution so far seems to be the road legal trackday Dunlops, DZ02G's front and D10J's rear but the downside is they have very modern track cut tread patterns, which don't look right.

Anybody have any experience with these sizes?

205/55 & 225/50 are also available in:

Dunlop SP Sport 9000

Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2

Toyo Proxes T1-R

Falken ZE512 ZiEX

I have fitted Falkens in these sizes to a couple of early 911's & been very happy with them (although they didn't/haven't seen any track time) - the bonuses being a rim protection bead & period tread pattern.

thanks Andy, very useful. How do you think it would look if I raised the profiles to 60/55?

Are you thinking of 205/60 & 225/55 x 15 ?

If so, I don't think any manufacturer makes both sizes with the same tread pattern...

you obviously have been here before, that's what I'm just finding out!
People are talking about the old Michelin XWX having been re-introduced but it seems not in the UK and not in the lower profiles.

At Andy's suggestion i have fitted Falkens, and used them twice now for track days - they work and look very good.

Good Year NCT 5s are closer to the original sizes and correct rolling radii.

F: 195/65

R: 215/60

These fit the 7s & 8s and suit the RS very well, with compliant/low noise construction, low rolling resistance, progressive handling, and a fairly traditional tread pattern.

Thanks so much for all the advice, have now narrowed it down to the:
Michelin Pilot 205/55-15 front and 225/50-15 rears as direct replacments, or the Goodyear NCT5's 195/65-15 fronts and 215/60 rears as the more period correct higher profiles.

Any thoughts on if the higher profiles will mean having to raise the ride height?

The diameter of the 215s will be about 17mm more than the 225s, so they will need about 8.5mm extra clearance.

Thanks again for that.

Hi Mike,

I went for the Pilots in the same sizes the other week. Haven't had a chance to push them hard yet but have had this tyre on other cars and always found them to have lots of predictable progressive grip. My local supplier Saxongate did them for £380 which I considered to be exceptional value.

Keith, yes I finally stayed with the same 205/55 225/50x15 sizes as I have now and went for the Michelins, mainly due to wanting to keep to those profiles for the odd track day, and the lightweight does look good slightly lower.

The common opinion of them seems to be a great tyre for all conditions but best in the wet. (Seems a bit of a waste as the car does not see many wet roads!) This is due to the 3 heavy cut central grooves which run round the tyre to disperse water, the downside being these grooves are less rubber in direct contact with the road in the dry. So people who have tracked them say they 'scrabble' under hard acceleration as they fight for traction.

They do look good as they have a more rounded side wall and less obvious rim protector profile, and are a more conventional tread pattern then the directional Bridgestones.

What I did find however is a new Michelin trackday tyre, the pilot sport cup, which comes in those sizes, so the best scenario would be a set of both! Now have to start saving for another set of 7" and 8" rims!