Wheel buying tips and help (Fuchs)

OK I’ve been listening --maybe I should upgrade to 16in wheels. My ‘84 cab came with 15” phone dials and I like them OK but am willing to move up. I have started looking at 7 & 8x16” Fuchs, the 7s are easy and the 8s will cost me. The questions are:
Will I be able to tell, visually, if the wheels are straight? Can I straighten a bent wheel?
Is there a difference in offset between the fronts and the rears, in other words, does it make a difference if a wheel started out as a 7” rear and I put it on front?
My car is pretty low, will these wheels make me roll the fender? Will a set of 9” work in the rear?
How likely am I to get ripped off if I deal sight-unseen for a set of wheels?
I am not a concourse kind of guy but I want something nice for my money.
Has anybody had any dealings with Wheel Enhancement?
Any other tips?
Thanks in advance -Andy

Tips:1)make sure they are authentic fuchs-they have a fox head on the back right after the model #-make the seller tell you that and have him take a picture.
2)7s and 8s seem to be the preference around here so they cost good money-6s and 7s will buy you a nicer original finish set and still have some left for really good tires!
3)All of the porsche people selling these on ebay or pelican or rennlist seem to be high calibre folk in my experience.Just only accept them shipped C.O.D. that protects both of you and is a MUST.
4)wheel enhancement sells awesome fuchs and is mostly for the concours folks.
5)any of the 16s will significantly enhance the performance of your porsche.

Andy,

All 16x8 Fuchs are not the same. You want 911/930 eights for the rear (nines will work too). If the eights have a 951 (944 turbo) part number, those would be better used in the front of your car. The 951 eights can be identified by the countersunk lug holes.

Jack Olsen has an excellent picture of 911/930 eights on the rear of his car on his personal website.

I can't be certain about the differences in the sevens. I don't have a copy of the "Handbook" to see the listing of useable sizes for the 911. I am not sure if the 944 sevens are a different offset/part # than 911 sevens. My guess would be that they are different, but I am guessing. Other members can verify my (mis)information, i'm sure. I DO know that 911 sevens can go up front on your 84 and you'll most likely have to roll (i'd shave) the fender.

You can only count on the seller to tell you if the wheels are not true. If you can't see/feel them in person, pictures will not show the damage unless it's very drastic.

I would not buy a set of Fuchs unseen. Some people's idea of good, fair, excellent, whatever condition may be far different from how you expect them to look when they arrive at your door. Not trying to be a jag, it's just that some people's idea of nice condition is different than another's.

I have read many posts where Wheel Enhancement really takes care of its customers to make sure you get what you want- color, finish, style, etc. I have not dealt with them myself other than a couple of emails about the fitment of RUF wheels for a Carrera.

Hope that helps some.


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Kevin
87 Carrera

Thanks for your replies guys. I was beginning to think my post was going to slip into no-mans-land unanswered.
you make a good point R22tech about just getting 6s and 7sx16 and putting the money into tires. I sure like the way the 7s and 8s look but will I notice any performance difference? I am mostly an autocross and mountain road driver and performance is what I am after.
that said, those wheels on Jack's car sure look nice.
thanks again
regards -Andy

Both 7x16 Fuchs (911 and 944 tbo) have the same dimensions, the difference is countersunk boltseats and more room for brakes in the 944 variant.

6, 7 and 8 inches wide 911 Fuchs all measure the same from the flange inwards. All the difference in width comes outwards (this can easily be seen visually, the wider the wheel, the deeper it looks)

9 inch wide 911 Turbo Fuchs go 17,1 mm deeper (inwards from the flange) than the others. Spacers are required and these wheels are going to be a very tight fit in a non-Turbo bodied SC or Carrera.


Mika

Yes, the 7s and 8s will perform better at the extreme limits. I had 7.5s and 8.5s before I put the originals (6and7) back on. I prefer the 6s and 7s for everyday-very spirited driving. The lighter steering makes for very quick response and the car handles PREDICTABLY. I would put the 7s and 8s on for racing. I would like to add- Awesome tires makes a HUGE difference! I went with the Michelin pilots-expensive but better than the yokamamas I had. Either way you go-it is going to be a big change from the 15s! Good luck.

Hmm, I just dropped $500 on some polished Fuchs from a guy on Ebay. I didn't do it COD, I didn't ask for part numbers, and I didn't even actually see pictures (although he offered).

I guess I'm a trusting idiot. But his credentials check out, and he's sold other items to people through Ebay, with good feedback. I hope I'm OK.

They're polished 6 and 7" Fuchs. I hope.

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2
1987 Escort 5-speed 1.9
The Porsche Owners Gallery

All true Fuchs have the ET(offset) embossed on the back. You need +23 offset front in either 7 or 8" width either 15, or 16". In the back you need +10-15mm offset, either 8 or 9", in either 15, 16 . If you go to custom 3 piece 17 or 18" then offset can go a bit more but not much ~2mm. If you fabricate a cradle you can easily measure the deviation of any rim with a dial indicator. Wheels are expensive do it once and do it right.

[This message has been edited by Bill Verburg (edited 02-16-2001).]

Bill,
Now I'm a little confused, are you telling me that if an 7" wheel started life as a rear, it's not going to work on the front (23mm off set in front, 10-15mm in rear)? I sure agree with you on your point "wheels are expensive" I am trying to do it right.
the more I hear, the more i think i better go to swap meets and not buy site unseen.
Old_Skul: thanks for your reply, let me know how the new wheels turn out
Regards -A

Hey, thanks for the kind words, guys.

951 7s are different from 911 7s. I think that is the only difference between 7s. Many guys move their 7-inch rears to the front to add 8s.

If you need refinishing done in California, Al Reed Wheel Polishing is a great deal. $50 a wheel for polished spokes and painted insets. Five days to do it. I've had one set done, and I'm going to have my track set done there as well.

And just because you guys mentioned it -- click on the thumbnail for a larger view.



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

Andy, the correct offset for the front is ~+23mm. Any wheel with that offset will do. The 7" Fuchs that were stock on the back of many SC/Carrera cars had this offset. In addition there is a 944 Fuchs which comes in 7" or 8" width that also has this offset. They all work nicely on the front of an SC/Carrera. The confusion is caused by the existance of a 911 8" Fuchs which has the +10.6 mm offset, it works well in the back but not the front. In addition there is a 9" Fuchs with a +15 mm offset for the back. I used 8x16 Fuchs with a +23 mm offset and 9x16 Fuchs with a +15mm offset, it is a wonderful package. They have since been replaced by 17's with a bit more offset for brake clearance.

[This message has been edited by Bill Verburg (edited 02-17-2001).]