Buying 9x16s

[jazzbass]

Like most of the Carrera guys, I have 6x16 and 7x16 Fuchs on my car. I'd like to go to 7s and 9s. Really, I'd like to just get a set of 9s for the back, since I don't need (or want to spend money on) two complete sets of wheels. I'm having a heck of a time finding used 9s - the ones I do find are in complete sets - 7s and 9s for $1800 or 8s and 9s for $2500!

WheelEnhancement has real Porsche Fuchs 9s for $675 right now. Considering I'd probably have to get used wheels refinished at $100/wheel, to me this is the same as finding used 9s for $575. How does this compare to what everyone else is paying for these wheels?

[Jdub]

While I do have a set of 7/9s (to replace 6/7"ers -- have both sets), I have to ask why not 8"'ers? The eights fill out the wheel well nicely and look The Business.

As to the cost, I assembled the 7/9"ers from disparate purchases and sent the whole lot to Al Reed. The cost was near-prohibitive and frankly the only way to do this is to purchase this combination from someone who has already been through the pain.

If I were to do it again, I'd simply go 7/8". Of course this all is based on no AutoX or DE time. Maybe that would mean, for some, that nothing less than a 9"er on the back would suffice.

John

EDIT: Costs:
= 9"ers, good used = $1,000
= 7"ers, good used = ~$255.00
= Al Reed Polish = $450.00 (Al sold me polished caps as well at this price).
= Shipping, all = $135.00

[Hetmann]

I recently bought some 9.5 x 16. These were welded up from some 6s and some other donor wheel. Look ok, but have red paint on them so they will need a refinish to work on my car. I paid pretty close to the $1k price. The wheelenhancement price sounds pretty good to me if they are already finished and the real deal.

[nick-moss]

The eights fill out the wheel well nicely and look The Business

In fact 8 x 16 and 9 x 16 look the same from the outside, so if it just looks you are after fit 7 + 8 x 16s

Have a look at this page

I would sell this pair with tyres for $2000 but I am in England!

[89911]

I'd get the 9"s from WheelEnhancement. You know they will be brand new with no fatique cracking that has been creeping in to old ones. And you will have the satisfaction of knowing you own the biggest Fuch they make. I spent 1K on mine a year ago, but factor in refinishing and they are brand new and the new ones look like a better deal.

[jazzbass]

My goal is not so much looks but wider rubber for better handling and braking. I'd love a set of 8's for the front, but they're hard to find and expensive when you do find them. I talked to a few guys about 9s today, and the prices were all about $1k for used wheels that would need refinishing. At that price, new wheels only cost about $100 more. Really starting to lean toward the new.

[KTL]

If you like the anodized look, then i'd buy new 8's or 9's without a doubt. Used 7's are plentiful so refinishing (even in anodizing) is cost effective when you consider the cost of a new 7.

You'll get brand new wheels and not roll the dice on what someone else says is "like new", "mint", "perfect", etc. etc. You don't have to hassle with having them refinished (not that I think Al & co. would ever hassle you- yet to hear of an unhappy customer). Just slap 'em on and go.

If more tire is what you desire, running 9's gives you the bigger grip out back as well = a bit more understeer.

8's and 9's are the pretty much the same price new. One thing that's kinda cool about running an 8 is that you can use 225/50 or 245/45. 9's somewhat limit you to 245's as I think the 225 is too stretched on a 9.

[cicsprog]

My 8 x 16's just arrived today from Wheel Enhancement. Looking forward to strappin on! Christmas came early and the Porsche budget is now shot for the year.

88 911 Cab

[speeder]

Originally posted by KTL


8's and 9's are the pretty much the same price new. One thing that's kinda cool about running an 8 is that you can use 225/50 or 245/45. 9's somewhat limit you to 245's as I think the 225 is too stretched on a 9.

Kevin, I am deciding between 8s or 9s right now, (I already have the 8s but could sell them and get 9s), I was under the impression that 245s would be a bit ballooned(?) on 8s. I know that they will fit, but is it a good set-up? Comments? TIA.

[89911]

245 on an 8" is fine. This whole post is a good reason why I got the 951 8x16 for the front. It is the only fuch that can correctly fit a 225 on the front and fit. This balances the 245 on the back.

[speeder]

89911, Thanks. So do you have 8s front and rear? Also, for any handling experts out there, what about 245 rear/205 front, (stock 930 sizes), on a regular body 911 which is not so heavy in the rear as a turbo? I realize that many other variables, (suspension, tire pressure, etc.), come into play, but I am looking for a good baseline in tire/wheel size for some future (very) high-speed motoring on the track. Thanks again.

P.S.: I am pretty well commited to 7s on the front for the foreseeable future, no more $$ for 951 8s.

[KTL]

Denis,

I have 245/45 Yoko AVS ES100 on a pair of 16x8 rears from a 944 turbo. They're the same as Mike (89911) has but they're phone dials, not Fuchs. I'll post a picture of what they look like next to a 225/50 on a 16x7. The 245/45 looks less ballooned than the 225/50, so that's a good thing.

205/50 or 55 front and 245/45 is rear going to be a bit understeerish without changing anything else, when comparing to the typical 205/55 front on a 16x6 and 225/50 rear on a 16x7. The increased rim with of going from a 6 in. to a 7 in. wheel up front will still be pushed or understeered by the extra grip caused by the increased track width and increased section width of the 8 in. or 9 in. wheel with a 245/45 tire. Like Mike said, going with a 225 up front helps fight the understeer you'll develop from using a 245 out back.

[Wayne 962]

Timely conversation. I have a pair of nines up on eBay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=43956&item=2430684277

I have a buy-it-now price of $1195, but my reserve is set quite a bit below that. These are two-piece wheels made from 6" Fuchs, so the wheels shouldn't require any spacers (needed very often with the stock wheels). You need to factor in the costs of the spacers when calculating your final costs. These have tires on them with good tread, however they are starting to show a bit of dried-out cracking. You could probably run them for a short while before you need new tires.j

I personally think that the two-piece or three-piece look is more aggressive, and more unique than the standard nines. I might actually end up keeing these for my 914-6 and selling the other set I have instead (exept that set is part of a matched set of four).

Ebay cancelled my auction last week (because I said I would have to charge 3% if someone paid via PayPal with a credit card), so I relisted these, and I relisted them with a lower buy-it-now price. In addition, if someone uses buy-it-now, I'll throw in FREE SHIPPING!

I don't expect these to last too long...

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by jazzbass
WheelEnhancement has real Porsche Fuchs 9s for $675 right now.

Everyone here is assuming these are brand new? Is that true? I don't think that these are new wheels. Are these finished, or just used wheels? Doesn't the finishing cost extra? Perhaps I don't have all of the latest information...

-Wayne

[Jdub]

Wayne:

Are you saying that spacers are needed with 9"ers? Do these wheels rub internally (that is, not at the fender lip)?

John

EDIT: BTW, I like the ebay name: Way Neat Pelican Parts. I'd have put an exclamation point at the end though ;>

EDIT2: Wayne, I think most folks would want a matched set (all four) only because they are so unique. It would be tough to find something up front that would complement the rear set.

[surflvr911sc]

That's each isn't it?

[speeder]

9x16s brand new for $675 each is a good price, but not outrageous. They normally sell for slightly more new.

[89911]

I have 8's up front with 225/45 and 9's in the rear with 245/45. At Hershey, WheelEnhancement was buying up all the Fuchs including my 6's. I spoke to the buyer about the value of 9's and he told me that they are still manufacturing 9's on a demand basis from the original manufacturer and this is how they purschase them. They are new and have the factory finish and sell for what was quoted. Apparently, all other sizes like the 6's, 7's and 8's are more for what their after since they are not making these. 8's and 951 8's actually are climbing in price. The price of new 9's being where they are at new actually fixes the price from climbing much higher then the $1000-1200 range.

[Wayne 962]

I heard something different. I heard that Fuchs in Germany is still under contract with Porsche, and cannot sell to outside vendors. A very reliable source (my technical editor for the engine book) heard this from a German supplier who was trying to buy them separately and directly from Fuchs. However, Fuchs would not sell them to anyone but Porsche.

Hmm, I wonder where Wheel Enhancement is getting these wheels? Are they truly new, and are they manufactured by Fuchs or someone else? A while ago, one of my wheel suppliers claimed to have access to 17" Fuchs, but when I went to order a set, they couldn't deliver...

-Wayne

[speeder]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

Hmm, I wonder where Wheel Enhancement is getting these wheels? Are they truly new, and are they manufactured by Fuchs or someone else? A while ago, one of my wheel suppliers claimed to have access to 17" Fuchs, but when I went to order a set, they couldn't deliver...

-Wayne

Anyone with a source for Porsche dealer parts can get them I'm sure, including you guys. Robert Wood, (Wheel Enhancement), has long-standing relationships w/ dealers and their parts depts., going back at least to the mid-80s when I worked at a dealer.