Hi guys, so I've got a stock 1997 SW20 Bathurst that is in need of a new full set of tyres. Browsing the forums/web for good performance tyres has mostly turned up nothing that's in stock size. Most recommendations are for wheels much larger and/or I haven't been able to find a single manufacturer that offers tyres (of the same model) that will fit both front and rear specifications. I don't believe it would be smart to have a different type for front/rear.
 
I've done forum searches/read a lot of threads in search of mention and haven't found anything - if I've missed something, sorry about that.
 
But I was wondering what you guys would recommend for performance (street) stock tyre replacements?
 
The only possibility that I've heard of is Toyo T1R's that would be 205/50 R 15 (or even 195/50 R 15?) and 225/50 R 15 - this isn't quite the same as the specs (195/55 R 15) for the front however, so I'm not sure how that would affect the car. 

The Toyo T1R 195/55R15 size should still be available .
 
Some that I believe are currently available for the same brand /type for the front and rear in the stock sizes (195/55R15 - 225/50R15) are:
Toyo T1R.
Falken Ziex 912
Hankook Ventus Prime K105's
Also Toyo Proxes 4 are available in 205/50R15 and 225/50R15.
(The 205/50R15 size works fine for the front BTW).
 
I have 15 inch wheels and have used T1R's and Hankook K105'S and found them ok.
I've have had no problems with mixing different brands F/R so long as you choose similar performance tyres.
I currently run Bridgestone G111's front and Hankook K105's rear.
With tyres for the fronts (either 195/55R15 or 205/50R15) you have a lot of choices, but unfortunately with the rear 225/50 R15 sizes the choices are limited for good performance tyres.

One other thing I should have mentioned is that the early model SW20's (pre'92)  had a door post placard that lists a lower weight requirement for tyres than the later models.
If you decide to put a 205/50R15 on the front, before you buy them first check they meet the load requirement that is shown on your door placard.

Thanks for the help! I went and took a look at what you've suggested...
The Falken seems to be a bit of a standard tyre? An "A good All Season" tyre I often read it described as, was maybe looking for a bit better?
The T1R's aren't listed on Toyo's website as coming in 195/55R15, but sometimes they're still available at stores possibly? If not, they do have 205/50R15. These tyres seem to get pretty rave reviews.
The Hankook were a bit harder to find reviews on, seemed a bit of a mixed bag. Some drivers said poor, some said great.
 
I have always been told that mixing tyres almost always ends up in bad combinations. I imagine different treads, different grip profiles etc could mess things up? I don't -actually- know though. Glad to hear they're working out for you though, I'll have to research it a bit more to understand! 
 
How much are the tyres you've mentioned if you remember/know off the top of your head? It's tough to find prices just via the web and would love a ball park figure to start off on.

The cars a pretty late model - 1997, should I still need to check for the weight requriement?

Well if you don't have the correct load rating it can be defected..
Also try these
I used them they were great

Gt radials I use champiro hpx's
But not sure if able to get them in a 15 inch
I've heard proxes are terrible
Very noisy after 5000kms and don't have a very good wear life but each to there own I guess.

It is hard but well worth getting the correct tyres
Best of luck.

Try Yokohama es100 heard good things about those
Bit on the expensive side however

The hpx cost me 135 a tyre and come with a 5 year free warranty and are rated for 300km/h
And are extremely good in both wet and dry.
It's a no brainier for me ahah

Zediah
The T1R's aren't listed on Toyo's website as coming in 195/55R15, but sometimes they're still available at stores possibly? If not, they do have 205/50R15. These tyres seem to get pretty rave reviews.
The Hankook were a bit harder to find reviews on, seemed a bit of a mixed bag. Some drivers said poor, some said great.

The problem with tyre reviews is that they are reviewed on different cars with different sizes, and different drivers. Some people love 'em, some people hate 'em, so you can't really tell.
 
Like many modern tyres the T1R's seem to have soft sidewalls, probably to give a good ride in the more common lower profile sizes.
I found that on the rear of my '90 model, with 50 profile size they tended to give a floaty feel until you put a few k's on them, however the wet and dry grip was great and no probs with noise. Couldn't complain about the wear rate - my rears lasted about 28k kms.
 
As for the Hankook K105's they seem ok but I've only just fitted them, so time will tell.
 
BTW, you probably only need to worry about the load ratings with the OEM 15's if you fit a non stock size.
 

Just be careful with load ratings a guy I know had his supra defected for under specified load rating tyres
Placard said 90 something he had 87 or something

And I've also heard of not passing blue slips/regency for that reason aswell

As red targa said everyone had there own opinions on tyres best off going for something that is good in wet and dry and has low noise and good wear. And is decent on price

Hmm there should be a sticky for stock tyre brands/sizes as I'm sure quite a good number of us are in the market for them including myself! Seems to be no "Max Performance Summer" in our sizes.
I think BF Goodrich G force (or some variant) is another you can find in 225/50/15
Ironic how I've got a set of stockies that I would rather have as dailys/drift/practice wheels but it's actually easier to find the sizes in semi-slicks! Even the R32 rims have narrow choices. Still, I'll never go 17s!!