Wheels/Tires question

[ahoch]

I took ownership of an 85 m491 last year and the tire set up doesn't look right. It has 7 and 8in Fuchs with 205/55r16 and 225/50r16s on it. Rear uses 28mm spacers.

This car is supposed to have 8 and 9s I believe.

My question is, if I put 225s and 245s on these wheels will it look correct?

[porsche930dude]

Im going to say probably. Thats what im running now and they are definately stretched and dont look right compared to the old 225/ 245 . Actually i was running 265s on the rear so the jump was even more drastic.

[darrin]

what doesn't look right about it to you? those are the stock tire sizes for the wheel set you have. The tires sizes you list will work as well (were you looking at these aspect ratios -- 225/50-16 and 245/45-16?), but don't think they'd make a significant visual/performance difference (especially if there's current tread/life left in current tires)

[ahoch]

thanks for the reply. Everything looks great about the set up except viewing the car from behind. With the 28mm spacers the 225s look to my eye like they are set really wide apart and not enough meat. The 205's on front actually look fine, but I thought if i went 245 on rears I would just move the 225's to front. Could go either way on that. Wonder if it would make low speed steering harder. They are Michelin Pilot 4s now with maybe 3k miles.

[darrin]

ahoch -- makes sense. Issue you're going to face next is limited number of tyre models available in the 245/45-16 size that would work for you here. The 16" pilot Sport a/s 4s are only available in the 2 sizes you already have . . . swapping out to a new, matching, set is doable but $$$

[Bill Verburg]

thru '86 M491 used 7 7 8 x16 205/55 & 225/50

from MY'86 9 was used in back w/ 245/45

yes, you can move the 225/50 to the front an then get 245/45 for the back
the rear view will still have a wide track just filled in a bit wrt 225/50
Ideally you would want 8 225/50 or 225/45 front an 9 245/445 rear, but the existing rear 8s aren't' the 8s you would want

[ahoch]

thanks Bill, good info. Do you happen to know if 28" spacers in rear are factory set up as well?

[ahoch]

You are correct Darrin. No Pilot Sports in the size i would want anyway. I think I'm sunk.

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by darrin

Issue you're going to face next is limited number of tyre models available in the 245/45-16 size that would work for you here.

People get hung up on "lack of tire options." You only need ONE good option.

You have at least SIX options to chose from.

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

Ideally you would want 8 225/50 or 225/45 front an 9 245/45 rear, but the existing rear 8s aren't' the 8s you would want

This is what I run on my normal Carrera (with the 225/45) and I only have two tire options, but those two tire options have been sufficient for the last 45,000 miles!

[ahoch]

Thanks for your help Merk. I think I'll go the 205 and 245 route, but after the Michelins dry rot out.

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by ahoch

Thanks for your help Merk. I think I'll go the 205 and 245 route, but after the Michelins dry rot out.

Brother, you're not driving it near enough if your 911 is dry rotting tires! You might as well put something SUPER sticky on it so you'll have a chance of wearing them out before they expire. (10 years for Michelins)

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by ahoch

thanks Bill, good info. Do you happen to know if 28" spacers in rear are factory set up as well?

28mm were stock rear

21mm were stock front thue MY80 when the front hubs were changed to incorporate the previously separate spacer

way back when the 930 was first introduced there was a 54mm spacer which became the 28mm in MY78

[ahoch]

I wholeheartedly agree with you and endeavor to do better!