Wheel and Tire Options

[RS68]

I recently acquired a set of Shelby wheels in addition to the SPG wheels I already have. I want to have one set of tires for spirited back roads driving for spring through fall and another set for track days, autocross, and hillclimbs.

It's been a long time since I've driven a Saab or needed tires and tire options seemed to have dwindled for 15" wheels. I'm not finding performance oriented options in the standard 195/60R15 size. My old go-to tires were the Nitto NT450s in size 205/55R15 but these tires are obsolete and I only see a few options in that size. Im finding lots of performance options in 205/50R15 but Im thinking this size would look too small for the car, and be more likely to bend a wheel on the street. Perhaps this would be the size to use for the track?

I'm curious, what wheels and tires is everyone using for performance road and/or competition use on their pre 88 900s? Has everyone moved on to aftermarket 16 or 17" wheels in the 4x114.3 bolt pattern or converted to the later 4x108 bolt pattern to run Super Aeros or aftermarket wheels?

[Saabina]

I’m running Yoko Advan Fleva 701’s at 205/50/16 on my SPG but they are also available at 205/55/15. Great performance tire and reasonable price.

[Saabina]

https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/adva ... MtEALw_wcB

[RS68]

How is the Fleva in the rain and cooler temperatures?

[99Super]

I have Kumho Ecsta 4xIII tires on Frank and have used them on other projects as well. They seem to have several performance tires in the 205/55-15 size.

[Saabina]

The Yoko’s are fine in the rain with a fairly aggressive directional tread but they have a warranty caution for use in sub-freezing temps concerning compound integrity if they are not allowed to warm up before use. Summer performance tire - not all season.

[RS68]

The Yoko's and Kumho's both see like good choices. Taking a deeper look at the Yoko's I found they are available in 205/50R15, and 195/55R15 in addition to 205/55r15. Has anyone had any experience running 205/50R15 or 195/55R15 on a c900?

[99Super]

IME, they both seem a little short.

[Crazyswede]

205 series tires on shelbys will work but tend to balloon out quite a bit because they really should be on a wider rim.

[RS68]

Thanks for the suggestions. Im getting a set of the Kumho Ecsta 4x II in 205/55 r15. I really wanted to try a true summer tire like the Yoko's but I like driving the Saab on cold mornings in the spring and fall so I think the all season Kumho's should work for now. I'm going to be mounting them on the Shelby Goldvanes. I have a set of lug nuts for them but I'm trying to locate some replacements just in case a lug nut goes missing. It's probably not a great idea to be driving around on hard to find wheels and lug nuts with an odd tire size but I'll give it a shot. I may get 1 or 2 spare tires as insurance in case I get a flat because nobody carries this size. I probably need to start looking for a set of 16' aftermarket wheels too.