New Wheels?

I'm new to the forum. I've been reading the different posts for quite some time and have enjoyed them very much.

I'm a first time owner of a 1986 Targa. I've had it for about 8 months. I've wanted a Porsche since I was about five years old and find myself getting almost as much joy at just looking at the car as I do driving it. I said almost!

I need new tires and thought it might be a good time to get some new wheels also. It has 16" black centered fuchs on it now.

Any suggestions or should I keep it as stock as possible and stay w/ the fuchs?

You should get rid of those worthless Fuchs by giving them to me. I'll gladly pay shipping. I wish ....

Nothing better on a P-car than Fuchs. Keep them on. Spend your money on good tires.

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Bill Krause
'79 911SC Euro

If you want to change the looks on your fuchs you can have them polished and they will look totally different almost like chrome thats what I plan on doing with my fuchs.

You should stay with the Fuchs, it's hard to find a better wheel out there. Plus I like the original look and it helps to preserve the value as a bonus.

One great upgrade is to get a pair of 8Jx16 Fuchs from a '89 911 and put them on the rear. Then, move your 7Jx16 to the front. Makes everything look beefier.

Note: Don't make the mistake of getting the 8Jx16 Fuchs from a 944 turbo, it has a different offset (23.3 mm vs 10.4 mm).

See, you guys like the Fuchs.. While I'd take them in a sec for the track, they are too small (IMHO) for the street (looks). I went with the 17*7.5 and 17*9 twist copies. Now the fender wells are full. I also think that the silver wheels are set off better with the black car. IMHO black Fuchs on black car = well, a whole lotta black.

You know, I even think that I coulda put 10" wides on the back.

Click for a larger view.

Another way to go is the earlier style polished-spokes Fuchs. With 16-inch wheels, in 8 and 7-inch widths, they look nice. It's not the contemporary, super-low-profile fashion, but these cars do not have the contemporary plastic-run-through-a-wind-tunnel body designs, either.

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T (3.6) sunroof coupe
jackolsen@mediaone.net

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 01-16-2001).]

Jack, quit making me drool at work!

JVP777, the 16" wheels were an optional larger wheel than the stock 15". I know this is true for SC's and I believe for the '86 as well.

The Fuchs wheel is forged and very well made. If you must change wheels be sure to get forged wheels, and a good set is not cheap. Most wheels are cast aluminum which will be heavier and less durable at speed than a forged wheel. I am not sure of any regulations for race tracks if you must run forged wheels.

I have a black SC with the 16" black center Fuchs and I think they look good. To me they just look classic Porsche.

The only thing I may ever change to is 17" RUF wheels like on the yellowbird. I am not doing a yellowbird knock off either, so this may look stupid. But this is a low priority upgrade so it is on the 5 year plan. The next projects for me are front oil cooler with RSR bumper, rear RSR bumper (very clean look), turbo tie rods, upper front strut bar, and a very custom exhaust(may turn out crappy). All of these mods will probably be cheaper than a good set of wheels and tires, keep it in perspective.

In summary just get a very good set of tires. This supplies enough traction than most people can handle anyway. I know I cannot come close to pushing the P-car like it is designed to. Check out the RUF / Nurinburg(sp) videos post... WOW!



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Adrian Pillow
1979 911 SC
1966 VW Microbus
PCA - Peachstate Region

Listers,
I'd like to add a question to this regarding offsets b/c I want to replace the Fuchs on my 88. How do you know if a 17" set will fit, specifically, how do you know what the offset is suppose to be. My 87 cab (now sold) had gorgeous 17" wheels that, per the Porsche dealer, were from a C2 Turbo. These rubbed slightly up front but were fine otherwise, however, I never knew what offset they were.
Thanks,
Buck, 88 coupe

Ive got a set of 16" gold mesh bbs wheels on a black '85 coupe...and they're just dying to upgrade to an '86 targa. I'll even throw in a brand new set of dunlop 8000's and I'll be happy to find a home for your fuchs.
Larry

I like Fuchs too, the only problem is they don't make them in larger sizes as wheels have progressed. My wife's Volvo has 16" rims. Bigger wheels and shorter sidewalls give better performance, more road feel, and overall improvement in handling. I can attest to this because I have driven my car with both its 17" Fikse and 16" Fuchs for the past 2 years on and off tracks. I use my Fuchs for track, but I am changing over to my 17" 8 and 9" because they feel better. I can feel the increase suspension travel and the steering does not feel as precise with the 16"s. There is nothing wrong with being original, but sometimes you have to go with what is better performance wise if it matter.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

[This message has been edited by 89911 (edited 01-17-2001).]

JVP777 & 88911Coupe

What exactly are you after? Is it 17 inch wheels that you want? Got any designs/brands that you consider?

Getting the correct offset is very important so don't buy anything before you are sure that fit is in order. The original 1991 964 Turbo style 17 inch "cup" wheels have an offset that doesn't fit the old Carrera 3.2 cars. So beware of buying used original wheels from newer models.

For those of you that are looking for wheels for your '78 or later porsche I may be able to get ahold of a set of new and unused Dymag Magnesium wheels that were designed specifically for the Porsche 911. Check them out at www.dymag.com under the Porsche Cup menu. These wheels are lighter than the Porsche hollow spoke design. (25lbs to 27lbs I believe) The price is $1250.00 and if you look at the starting price :eek £473 per wheel) you can calculate the exchange and see that your getting a good price. Let me know if you are interested.





Adam Roseneck
email me if these pictures didn't show up

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atr911@hotmail.com

In my opinion nothing beats 964 RS mags for SC, 3.2 or 964. They offer factory looks, light weight and room for brake improvements.
Sure, you need spacers for SC and 3.2.

A quote from OPC for a new set is about the same as those Dymags. Used set about half of that (with all risks associated with buying unknown alloys AND extra problems with magnesium ones).

That atr´s offer surely seems a good value, if only I could live with the looks...


Mika

Come on, function over fashion right? :P Heh, its all good. btw.. I was told that those rims retail for over $1000.00 each.

Adam

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atr911@hotmail.com

Originally posted by JVP777:
I'm new to the forum. I've been reading the different posts for quite some time and have enjoyed them very much.

I'm a first time owner of a 1986 Targa. I've had it for about 8 months. I've wanted a Porsche since I was about five years old and find myself getting almost as much joy at just looking at the car as I do driving it. I said almost!

I need new tires and thought it might be a good time to get some new wheels also. It has 16" black centered fuchs on it now.

Any suggestions or should I keep it as stock as possible and stay w/ the fuchs?

Thanks all for the ideas and suggestions!!!

Mikkel,
My main goal is appearance but I also liked the way 17 inch(turbo?) wheel's/tires felt on my 87 cab. There seem to be a lot of wheels that may work but I don't know how to tell for sure if they'll fit, other than asking the person selling them. The 17's on the cab rubbed a little up front but I never rolled the fenders which may have helped.
Buck

88911Coupe

If you're after the original looking 17 inch cup wheels you will have no problems. You can get replicas made by MilleMiglia in Italy with offsets that work with Carrera 3.2s. The wheels are cheap and relatively good quality. I think they sell them as 7.5x17 offset 23 & 9x17 offset 15. That should fit a 3.2 without problems (if I remember correctly).

What size tires would you use on those 17" wheels on a non-turbo Carrera?



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1984 911 Targa
1986 911 Coupe

Blizzard,
I´ve got a set of Mille Miglia Cup 1 replicas on my 3.2 Carrera. The tires are 215/45-17 and 255/40-17. They fit really nicely and fill the arches with no rubbing problems.
Mille Miglia makes these replica wheels with two different offsets, to fit both new and old offset. The old offset ones (as mine) have a "built in" spacer, so there´s no need for a separate spacer.
I highly recommend these wheels, the only problem I have found is the weight, these wheels are HEAVY.

Mika

For the ultimate look for a pre '89 go to http://www.cmwracing.com/ . Unfortunately, the prices will make you weep but where else can you get 17" Fuchs

For a good alternative, try http://www.cargraphic.de/18zoll.html . Excellent pics and a good resource for checking offsets and what fits in the chart on this link http://www.cargraphic.de/AnwendungslistePorsche.html