I've posted this thread here rather than in the "Wheels and Tyres" forum as it concerns a Porsche 996 and not MB. I am looking for new rear tyres size 265/35 ZR 18 for my dad's Porsche. They are to fit 18" x 10J Sport Design wheels.

The problem we have is this: these wheels are very, very easily curb damaged because of the rim shape. They are forever being refurbished.

Can anyone recommend a tyre with a good, big protective flange to protect against rim damage? I know you will say: the only solution is to take more care when parking. You are right, and I have pressed this on my father a million times, but he is lazy and careless.

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JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190

you're still better off asking luke@tirerack.com. there are a few high performance tires that have that flange although i am not that sure how much they really help. i have them on my dunlop sp5000's, but i still try to be extra careful with curbs. i have a friend that has the same tires and similar wheels and he has gotten a gash from a curb...

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joE
1993 300e-2.8 - gone now <sigh>
"Do not adjust your mind, it's reality that's malfunctioning"
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Trouble is...even with a fatter sidewall flange, you're still talking about a pliable material that will "yield" when in contact with a curb...leaving the wheel lip exposed to absorb the remainder of the curb altercation.

I scuffed many rims a few years back in Colorado Springs, where the standard curb height seemed to be about 14" .

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Try the Z-rated Sumitomo HTR ZII -- I have been happy with them on my C43 AMG. Sumitomo says "The lower sidewall features Single Strand Beads for improved wheel fit and Wheel Flange Guards to help protect alloy wheels from curb damage." See http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Sumitomo&tireModel=HTR+Z+II

They offer a considerable savings over, say, Michelin Pilot Sports (my previous tires) with a bit less dry road performance at the edge of the envelope, but considerably better in rain or on wet roads, which may be better suited for England (BTW, I did a law degree at Balliol College, Oxford some years ago).

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'98 C43 AMG
'88 420SEL
'93 190E Limited Edition (including factory Sportline package)

Thanks for the tips. I hadn't thought about the Smitomos; and I know Dunlop offers a "Maxi-Flage-System" or something (which sounds like some kind of sex aid to me) on their SP9000s. However, I suspect we'll just go for the Contis again, as that's what it came with and they offer a nice drive. The reality is the bloke is too darned careless. I don't know how anybody can drive that car otherwise than with the utmost care; I am using it at the moment, and while it is a joy to drive, I cannot help but give it maximum concentration.

c43amg: hope you enjoyed your time at Balliol. The world's second best university is quite a place (I was a Peterhouse, Cambridge man ).

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JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190