Porsche 911 Tyres

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1969 Porsche 911T Sportmatic on 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N Tyres


Porsche 911 1964–1989


  • Porsche’s early 1964–1967 911 fits 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N tyres as recommended by Porsche.
  • There is also 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™ CA67 for those wanting a pre-1968 tread pattern. The 165-15 Michelin XAS is another excellent classic tyre.
  • From 1968–1973, Porsche fitted 185/70 R15 tyres front and rear. We recommend the 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N, or the 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX, as OE tyres.
  • From 1973, the second generation G series of Porsche 911 started to fit 215/60 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™ CN36 on the rear.
  • Early Porsche 911 Tyres Explained


    Porsche 911 Innertubes


  • Early 911 cars came with tube-type wheels and tyres, so these original wheels should be fitted with innertubes.
  • The innertube we would suggest for both 165 R15 and 185/70 R15 tyres is the Michelin 15E.
  • An innertube should not be fitted in any tyre lower than 70% profile (e.g., 225/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7).
  • Controversially, the first Porsche 911 Carrera models left the factory fitted with the first super low profile radial tyres (215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N) did come fitted with innertubes. This doesn’t mean it's okay. .

    Within a very short period of this first 60% profile tyre being produced, Porsche quickly switched to tubeless wheels with a safety hump and fitted tubeless tyres. Tyre manufacturers also stopped making tube-type 60-profile tyres. 60% and 65% profile tyres need to be fitted to tubeless wheels and run without innertubes. However, the earlier 911 wheels need innertubes. For more information, visit our Innertube guide.


    Porsche 911 on 9

    Porsche 911 on 9" Wide Front Wheels and 225/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 Tyres & 11" Wide Rear Wheels and 285/40 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 Tyres

  • From 1986, the later 911 SC cars moved on to a 195/65R15 on the front; this was in conjunction with other chassis upgrades. A 195/65 R15 tyre is not suited to pre-SC Porsche 911s.
  • Road models that wanted their 911 to be a nicer car to drive on the road than the track; such as the 911L or 911T, often ran 14” wheels with 185 R14 tyres, providing a taller sidewall and therefore a more comfortable ride on the road. We recommend 185 HR 14 Michelin MXV-P.
  • The first Porsche 930 3.0 Carrera & 930 3.0 Turbo models fitted 225/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 and 205/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7. Some 911’s had 11” wide wheels and fitted 285/40 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the rear.
  • Some people like to fit wider rear tyres on their 911, fitting 225/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 front & 285/40 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 rear (see picture).
  • From 1985, Porsche started to offer a 16” wheel option. Michelin currently make 205/55 ZR 16 Michelin SX MXX3 and also the 245/45 ZR 16 Michelin SX MXX3. Pirelli also now makes 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7, 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 245/45 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • Many of The Pirelli Collezione CN36 & P7 were produced at the request of Porsche themselves, who have homologated them with the Porsche N homologation as their recommended tyre for the 911.
  • If you are doing any tarmac Rallying, sprinting, or hill climbing with 15” wheels on your 911, then the Michelin TB range will be perfect for you.

It is worth looking at the Fitment guide by Porsche and the independent article by a German Classic car magazine, which offers a back-to-back tyre test for classic Porsche 911 tyres.

Also, don't forget to check our Early 911 Blog page.


42 Items

    Porsche 911 Recommended Tyres



  1. Other Options for Porsche 911 Tyres


42 Items


Early Porsche 911 Tyres


Porsche 911 Avon CR6ZZ

for a standard car as recommended by Longstone Tyres

Early Porsche 911s originally fitted 165 R 15 tyres. They fitted a variety of different brands of tyres, including Michelin and PIRELLI CINTURATO ™;. Currently, Longstone tyres would suggest that the best tyres for these pre 1968 early 911 cars would be either the 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CA67 which came out in the ‘50s or the 165HR15 Michelin XAS which came out in 1965. Both brands are excellent period tyres, made by two of the world's best tyre manufacturers to the highest standards. They will have perfect handling characteristics while also being genuine original equipment.

Porsche themselves have now become involved in sourcing classic tyres for their historic cars and giving them their seal of approval in the form of an "N" marking, meaning they have a Porsche homologation. In doing so they have made a 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CN36 N. Having the V speed rating is great and appropriate for these early 911 cars. Although the CN36 tread pattern did not come about until 1968, by which time the 911 was fitting a 185/70VR15.


Porshce 911 - 185/70VR15 CN36

Interestingly, Porsche widened their rims from the 4.5” Fuch alloy to a 5.5” Fuch alloy in 1967, but they continued to fit 165R15 tyres. These wider rims provided greater directional stability. It wasn’t until a year later, in 1968, that Porsche moved on to fitting 185/70VR15 tyres front and rear. In the day, the 185/70WR15 Pirelli Cinturato CN36 or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX were the best of the OE tyres, and we would suggest today that if you have late 1960s or ‘70s cars, then they would still be the best tyres for an early 911.

Initially fitted all around, 185/70VR15 tyres were the mainstay tyre for the 911 right through to the 911 SC until August 1986, when they changed the front tyre to a 195/65R15. However, over nearly 2 decades, there have been a variety of changes made to the geometry of the car that make the 911 more suited to the modern tyre carcass of a 65% profile tyre on the front axle.

In 1972, on the 911 Carrera and RS models, Porsche fitted a wider rear wheel and fitted 185/70WR15 Pirelli Cinturato CN36 on the front and 215/60WR15 Cinturato CN36 on the rear. We are fortunate to be able to provide these tyres again, made by Pirelli with the N Porsche homologation. As the years went by, the various models of 911 moved over to fitting a wider rear wheel. Even with later 1980s cars like the 911SC, they were still fitting 185/70VR15 on the front and 215/60VR15 on the rear. We would suggest that the Cinturato CN36 N tyres are the best.


185/70-15 Tyres

We have information on Porsche 930 Fitment here.

Some of the performance Carrera, Turbo and RS models fitted some extra wide wheels, which tended to fit Pirelli Cinturato P7 Tyres to which Pirelli are producing again today in the sizes 205/50R15 P7, 225/50R15 P7, 285/40R15 P7 & 345/35R15 P7.

Also information on Porsche 911 SC Tyre options.

Porsche 911 Tyres

In 1968, Porsche fitted wider rims to its early 911 cars and changed the tyre size to 185/70VR15. We believe that the earliest cars were offered with either Continental, Dunlop, or Michelin XWX. In 1969, PIRELLI developed their low-profile tyre in conjunction with Porsche, the CINTURATO ™; CN36 which became the tyre of choice on these early 911s.
Porsche has recently been involved with PIRELLI producing and homologating the 185/70WR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CN36 N, which would be the tyre of choice along with the other original tyre, the 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX. In 1972, with the 911 Carrera, Porsche started to fit a larger rear wheel with the tyre size 215/60R15. Fortunately, in conjunction with Porsche, PIRELLI produces the tyre 215/60WR15 CINTURATO ™; CN36 N, homologated by Porsche for their top-of-the-range early 911, such as the Carrera, RS, 911S, 911 Targa & Turbo models.


Porsche 911 Michelin Tb15

If you are wanting to take your car on the track, there are a wide range of options available. Dunlop Racing and Avon CR6ZZ for the early 911 and Michelin's extraordinary TB range of road legal rally tyres for wider wheels, offering options up to 13" wide wheels. There is the full-tread Michelin TB15, the semi-slick Michelin TB5 F & R with its choice of front and rear compounds, and the full-wet Michelin PB20.

Pirelli's commitment to these fabulous early high-performance 911 Turbo's, Carrera, RS, RSR, etc. is also backed up by their range of Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres. In the mid-70s, when the 930 came out, they were fitted with a 205/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the front and a 225/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the rear. Some of the RSR cars had 11 wheels with 285/40R15 Cinturato P7 tyres on the rear and 9" wheels with 225/50R15 Cinturato P7 tyres on the front, all of which, fortunately, are being made again by Pirelli.

When the first Porsche 911 came on the market, sporting a 2-litre, 130-bhp engine, they were up against some extremely good sports cars. The Aston Martin DB6, E-type Jaguar, and Ferrari 275 GTB were just a few of these cars. The first Porsche 911, it has to be said, was definitely not a car for the mainstream. The 911 driver of the time wanted fast thrills with no frills!

The earliest 911's were built from 1965 to 1969 and were short-wheelbase models, many of which are now seen thrashing around in all their glory at historic race and rally events. These particular cars tend to be the most desirable amongst the aforementioned group of petrol heads. The next iteration of the Porsche 911 was built between 1970 and 1973, with engines ranging from 2.2 to 2.4 litres. These cars were followed shortly by the arrival of the impact bumper model in 1974, with the top model sporting a 3.2 engine and given a Carrera badge.

Another model in the Porsche range was the 2.7 R.S, which was brought out between 1972 and 1973. The Porsche 911 2.7 R.S. (R.S. stands for Rennsport, meaning motorsport or circuit racing in German) sported wide arches and wheels, lighter bodywork, stiffer suspension, and, of course, a powerful 2.7 engine. This car would prove to be the start of the R.S series and what was to be a successful racing pedigree.

Shortly after, the Porsche 911 R.S.R. 3-litre and Carrera R.S.R. Turbo were produced, though only in small numbers, making them eligible for racing. Porsche had almost immediate success, with one of their Carrera R.S.R. Turbos finishing 2nd at the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1974. The engine used in the Carrera R.S.R. Turbo would go on to form the basis from which Porsche would make many assaults on the world of motorsport racing, and not only that, but also the start of Porsche fitting turbos to their cars.

In 1974, Porsche decided to increase the engine capacity from 2.7 litres to 3.0 litres for the R.S. using a k-jetronic Bosch fuel injection system, giving the Porsche 911 3-litre R.S almost twice as much power as the 2.7 R.S. With this extra power came more racing capability...



Porsche 911 Tyre Fitment Guide


  • (1965-’67) 911 2.0 = 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 or 165-15 Michelin XAS.
  • (1967) 911 2.0 Targa = 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 or 165-15 Michelin XAS.
  • (1967-’68) 911 S 2.0 = 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 or 165-15 Michelin XAS.
  • (1967-’68) 911 S 2.0 Targa = 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 or 165-15 Michelin XAS.
  • (1968-’69) 911 T 2.0 = 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N, 165-15 Michelin XAS or 185HR14 Michelin MXV-P.
  • (1968-’69) 911 T 2.0 Targa = 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N, 165-15 Michelin XAS or 185HR14 Michelin MXV-P.
  • (1968) 911 L 2.0 = 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 165-15 Michelin XAS.
  • (1968) 911 L 2.0 Targa = 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 165-15 Michelin XAS.
  • (1969) 911 E 2.0 = 185HR14 Michelin MXV-P.
  • (1969) 911 E 2.0 Targa = 185HR14 Michelin MXV-P.
  • (1969) 911 S 2.0 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1969) 911 S 2.0 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1970-‘71) 911 T 2.2 = 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 165-15 Michelin XAS.
  • (1970-‘71) 911 T 2.2 Targa = 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 165-15 Michelin XAS.
  • (1970-‘71) 911 E 2.2 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1970-‘71) 911 E 2.2 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1970-‘71) 911 S 2.2 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1970-‘71) 911 S 2.2 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1972-‘73) 911 T 2.4 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1972-‘73) 911 T 2.4 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1972-‘73) 911 E 2.4 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1972-‘73) 911 E 2.4 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1972-‘73) 911 S 2.4 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1972-‘73) 911 S 2.4 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1973) 911 Carrera RS 2.7 = 185/70VR15 Pirelli Cinturato & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N.

Porsche 911 2.7 G Series Tyre Fitment Guide (1974–1977)

  • (1974-‘77) 911 2.7 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1974-‘77) 911 2.7 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1974-‘75) 911 S 2.7 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.
  • (1974-‘75) 911 S 2.7 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX.

Porsche 911 Carrera RS Tyre Fitment Guide

  • (1973-‘74) 911 Carrera RS = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N.
  • (1974-‘75) 911 Carrera 2.7 MFI & CIS = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N.
  • (1974-‘75) 911 Carrera 2.7 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N.
  • (1975-‘77) 911 Turbo Carrera 3.0 = 205/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1976-‘77) 911 Carrera 3.0 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N and optional 205/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1976-‘77) 911 Carrera 3.0 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N and optional 205/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1984-‘85) 911 Carrera 3.2 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N with optional 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1984-‘85) 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N with optional 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1984-‘85) 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N with optional 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1984-‘85) 911 Carrera 3.2 = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1984-‘85) 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1984-‘85) 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1985-‘89) 911 Carrera 3.2 Club Sport= 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1985-‘89) 911 Carrera Celebration 3.2 = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1985-‘89) 911 Carrera Super Sport 3.2 = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 245/45 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.

Porsche 930 (911 Turbo) Tyre Fitment Guide

  • (1975-’77) 911 Turbo 3.0 = 205/50YR15 Pirelli P7 N and 225/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1978-’85) 911 Turbo 3.3 = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 and 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1985-’89) 911 Turbo 3.3 = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 and 245/45 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1987-’89) 911 Turbo 3.3 Targa = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 and 245/45 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1987-’89) 911 Turbo 3.3 Cabriolet = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 and 245/45 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.

Porsche 911 SC (L, M, A, B, C) Tyre Fitment Guide 1978–1983

  • (1978-‘83) 911 SC 3.0 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N. Optional 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1978-‘83) 911 SC 3.0 Targa = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N Optional 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
  • (1983) 911 SC 3.0 Cabriolet = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N Optional 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.

In the world of modern tyres, it is commonplace to come across a tyre test. Sadly, in the world of classic tyres, the investment never seems to be there to do a proper modern tyre test. However, a German magazine conducted this modern tyre test on classic Porsche tyres in July 2016. This classic Porsche tyre test has been translated from German to English. What is remarkable in this tyre test is quite how well the PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CN36 classic Porsche tyres performed in the table at the end. The scores in this table are not scored in relation to the other tyres in the test, so when a score of 1 is recorded, then that is a perfect score for a classic tyre or a modern tyre. It is wonderful to see that these classic Porsche tyres can give such exemplary results.

The simple, time-honoured shape of a Porsche 911 has been something that has inspired classic car enthusiasts for years. The refined, elegant, pure shape is unmistakable. Longstone Tyres, with the support of the world's best tyre manufacturers, is able to supply tyres for classic 911s.

Classic Porsche Tyres
Below you will find a classic Porsche fitment guide and an independent article written about the tyre choices for your classic Porsche.


Porsche 911 Tyres FAQ


Q: What are the best Porsche 911 tyres?

A: The Porsche 911 fitted a variety of different size tyres throughout the years. However, they often used Pirelli CN36 or the Pirelli P7 for much of the production, and we would suggest that these Porsche homologated tyres are still the best today.

Q: Which are the cheapest Porsche 911 tires?

A: Although there are cheaper tyres available, the Pirelli CN36 and P7 were original equipment, and many of the 911 tyre sizes are quite unusual, so generally speaking, you are better off fitting the correct tyres than going for something cheap.

Q: Where can I buy Porsche 911 tyres in Japan?

A: We ship Porsche 911 tyres all over the world. Often free of carriage charges. There is a minimal charge for shipping to Japan though.

Q: What tyres do Porsche recommend?

A: Porsche get very involved in testing for the best tyres to suit their cars including old classic Porsche. Many of the Pirelli Collezione tyres, the Cinturato CN36 and the classic Cinturato P7, have attained this N homologation as their recommended tyres for Early 911.

Q: How long do Porsche 911 tyres last?

A: It is completely impossible to say how long tyres last, particularly on cars like a 911. It is totally determined by how you drive. It is worth mentioning that the Pirelli CN36 and the P7 are N homologated tyres, as tyres tested and recommended by Porsche for the classic 911

Q: What are the best Porsche 911 tyres?

A: The Porsche 911 fitted a variety of different-size tyres throughout the years. However, they often used Pirelli CN36 or the Pirelli P7 for much of the production, and we would suggest that these Porsche homologated tyres are still the best today.


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