Running original tires in rear, best replacements?

[Delorean3610]

I'm running the original rear tires (35 years!) what is the best replacement for them. Tires have 26k miles on them with no cracks.

[Gregadeth]

BF Goodrich Radial T/A 235/60R-15

[81dmc]

Vredestein Sportrac 5 Rear:225/60r15 Front:195/60r14

[Morpheus]

Cooper Cobra GT 235/60R-15

[Delorean3610]

I have looked at the suggestions, but I am adamant about keeping the original tire size of 235/60r15. I have found only radial t/a and cooper Cobras at fair prices. I refuse to buy Chinese tires and would prefer American or Japanese tires. I have checked tire rack and tire discounters, does anyone have anymore suggestions?

Blackwall tires preferred.

[Andrew]

Pep Boys has a private label tire called the Futura in the 235/60r15 size. IIRC they are in the $85-$90 per tire price range. I'm not sure where they are made. I'm planning on trying them the next time one of my Deloreans needs new rear tires.

[Mark D]

I'll give my vote for the Cooper Cobras rear tires. I've had them on my car since I bought it in '07 and don't have any complaints. Even though they have quite a bit of tread left I'll be replacing them soon due to age. I bought one of the last few sets of the correct size front tires before they were discontinued so I should be able to run matching tires in the original sizes for at least a few more years.

The cobras have a pretty simple/classic tread pattern so it's not too noticeable if you end up running a different tire on the front. I think Cooper has the CS3 in the correct front size if you want to at least have matching brands.

Otherwise I think some people are holding out to see if BFG will start making the correct size Radial TA's for the front again. Then you could get the TA's for the rear and have a true matching set of tires. I really hope that happens because I'd love to run RWL's. If you prefer black wall you can always flip the white letters inside.

[acaciolo]

+1 on Vredestein. plus you get guigaro's name on the tire, which looks super cool! best looking tires ever. 41843

[DMC-81]

Pep Boys has a private label tire called the Futura in the 235/60r15 size. IIRC they are in the $85-$90 per tire price range. I'm not sure where they are made. I'm planning on trying them the next time one of my Deloreans needs new rear tires.

Good to know. Apparently, according to this article, Futura tires are made by Cooper:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper_Tire_%26_Rubber_Company

I don't know what country they are made in. Although, the article says Cooper also has a plant in China. You'd probably have to read the tire sidewall.

[Andrew]

I recently stopped by Pep Boys and confirmed that the Futura P235/60R15's are made in Mexico. The tire appears to be a decent quality product with a good tread design. It has raised white letters on one side, and is a blackwall on the other. If they are still available the next time either 4194 or 5052 needs new rear tires, I would likely buy a pair of them.

[Gregadeth]

The BFG Radial T/As are definitely made in USA, and also feature one side RWL and one side black sidewall. I'm running these in the rear and BFG G-force in the front. The treads look very similar. All 4 tires are stock size and made in USA.

[jerzybondov]

Can you guys not get General Grabber HP tires stateside? They're an American tire, and pretty much the only one available in the right size in the UK.

[jamesrguk]

Can you guys not get General Grabber HP tires stateside? They're an American tire, and pretty much the only one available in the right size in the UK.

I notice that a couple of manufacturers such as Bridgestone and General Grappers are offered in 255 60 R15, would a 255 fit on the DMC rim, it's only 20mm wider, would that be an issue?

[Edit] Think I may have answered my own question, looks like 245 is max recomended size for an 8" rim.

James

[DMC8182]

I recently put Pirelli P600 on the rear, replacing the Yokohamas

They are the correct size and perform outstanding

Only drawback is there are no fronts available

[baeckerbursch]

You can also mount an 265/50 r16 on the original DMC rim.

Looks fantastic, has the same diameter than the 225/60 R16, at my car no rubs, but (at the moment) not legal in Germany.

[Mark D]

You can also mount an 265/50 r16 on the original DMC rim.

Looks fantastic, has the same diameter than the 225/60 R16, at my car no rubs, but (at the moment) not legal in Germany.

Are you sure you've got your sizes correct? You cannot mount a 16" tire on a 15" rim.

[baeckerbursch]

my fault :bash:

i mean 15"

You can also mount an 265/50 r15 on the original DMC rim.

Looks fantastic, has the same diameter than the 225/60 R15, at my car no rubs, but (at the moment) not legal in Germany.

[Mark D]

We're starting to get off topic here since the OP is looking for 235/60 R15's, but I'd be interested to see a photo of what the 265/50 R15's look like. That's gotta be super wide and meaty looking.

I saved this photo from somewhere that's labeled as a 265 and based on the sidewall height it looks like it might be a 50 aspect ratio tire. I don't think a 265/60 R15 would fit.
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=32415&d=1421165825


Another random photo I have saved is this car with 255/60/R15's and the sidewall looks huge:
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=32411&d=1421165657


Compare to 245/60 R15's on the screen used A car DeLorean time machine
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=32418&d=1421166297


And here are the stock size 235/60 R15 Cooper Cobras on my car:
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=41937&d=1462995863

[Mark D]

And since I'm in my folder of tire photos, if you're still considering the cooper cobras the photos online always show you the RWL side of the tire. Here's a detailed photo of what the black wall side of the tire looks like.

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=41938&d=1462996367

That's right...they have f-ing cobras molded into the tire :tongue2:

[Morpheus]

^

http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/38500000/Honey-Badger-don-t-care-honey-badger-38506719-640-621.jpg
:)

[Mark D]

^

http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/38500000/Honey-Badger-don-t-care-honey-badger-38506719-640-621.jpg
:)


Haha! :hihi2: