15" vs 16" vs 17"

H-viken · 07-18-2009, 08:21 AM

On my BMW I went from 16" to 18" wheels and loved the difference in handling. The car now handles in a much more positive fashion.

On my 3,2 I currently run the standard 15" Fuchs and I like the classic look a lot, so that would not be a reason to change wheels. However, it feels as though there is something to gain by fitting larger wheels wearing tires with lower sidewalls.

My cunundrum is; should I go for 16" original Fuchs (7" and 8" or 9")? Or 17" replicas (7,5" and 9")?

Going the replica route would be more expensive (Jeff Alton's) and that is where I'm on the fence. I don't have little golden nuggets coming out when I go to the bathroom, so my question is; is the extra 1" worth the extra expense when it comes to handling?

Yes, I could go the Rota route, but knowing that there is something better out there would not be satisfying to me (not very rational I know).

Oh Haha · 07-18-2009, 09:08 AM

Tire selection for 16 inch would be the problem if running a 9 inch rear. As told in numerous threads as of late, 245/45 tires are not being produced by all tire brands.
When new tires are need for my SC I am going to try to swing a pair of 17 inch wheels

I don't p00p golden nuggets, either.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-viken

On my BMW I went from 16" to 18" wheels and loved the difference in handling. The car now handles in a much more positive fashion.

On my 3,2 I currently run the standard 15" Fuchs and I like the classic look a lot, so that would not be a reason to change wheels. However, it feels as though there is something to gain by fitting larger wheels wearing tires with lower sidewalls.

My cunundrum is; should I go for 16" original Fuchs (7" and 8" or 9")? Or 17" replicas (7,5" and 9")?

Going the replica route would be more expensive (Jeff Alton's) and that is where I'm on the fence. I don't have little golden nuggets coming out when I go to the bathroom, so my question is; is the extra 1" worth the extra expense when it comes to handling?

Yes, I could go the Rota route, but knowing that there is something better out there would not be satisfying to me (not very rational I know).

I switched to 8 7 9.5 x17 on my 911 10yrs ago. There is a better choice of tires and sizes and ultimate grip is much higher. There doesn't even have to be a weight penalty if you choose the right wheels. That said I use 18s on my mostly track 993, they are even better than the 17s

RSTarga · 07-18-2009, 01:39 PM

IMHO it is possible to over tire these cars. If you are only going to use your car for the street. I enjoy being able to use the throttle to break the rears away in corners. Once you get into these very sticky large tires you eliminate the fun and skill required because the car just sticks. I went to 16's from 15's just because there are no decent tires for 15's but I stayed with 6's and 7's to minimize the difference.

911st · 07-18-2009, 03:34 PM

Check out the Toyo R888 in 235 & 225's for the 15's. Gives you a gearinig advantage for faster acceleration, they are sticky, and you will have a very light weight wheel combo.

H-viken · 07-20-2009, 09:28 AM

911st - Yeah, I might just go that route for now.

H-viken · 10-25-2009, 09:52 AM

Well, ended up wanting to try something new so I got some 16" original Fuchs; 7" for the front and 9" for the back.

The wheels came "naked" so I'll give the R888s a try.

Very curious to see how the car will handle!

wildcat077 · wildcat077's Garage

Not sure if you'll get the front /rear tire combo you want in R888's ...
I installed the TOYO Proxes T1R's 225/50/16 and 245/45/16's on 8 inch 951 offset fronts and 9 inch replicas in the rear on my 89 Coupe...
Very good tires,i drove over 200 kms in a monsoon at speeds of 120 kms per hour at times and felt very confident with the tires. They are also quiet and smooth in dry conditions

Phil

Moses · 10-25-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-viken

Yes, I could go the Rota route, but knowing that there is something better out there would not be satisfying to me (not very rational I know).

Yeah, I guess immediate availability, the fact that there have been no wheel failures, that your center caps won't fall off and that they are half the price could be pretty frustrating...

88-diamondblue · 12:48 PM

I put on the Rota's and have been extremely happy with them. I looked at 16's but the tire situation is quckly geting to be the same as 15" choices. The handling and ride have both improved from my 15's. After all the reading I have done here I thought I would notice a difference in the weight increase of the new tire/wheel combination. I didn't. It may be that the increased level of grip and ride quality off set the weight difference. The steering is no different with the larger front tires, went from 205 to 225's on the front. The backs went from 215 to 255's and have no problem bringing the rear end around, my engine is not stock. I would have liked to have Jeff's wheels but it would have been close to $2000 more. At that price difference I would have needed to find a tires for the 15's that would have acceptable grip with the look I wanted.
I have an extra set of Fuchs with VictoRacers on them for track and auto-x. They are 205/50 and 225/50-15's and the look is that the car is it is way under-tired. Love the combo on the track but don't like the look at all and my car is lowered.

The people that have seen them in person have been very complimentary of the wheels. I am happy with them and that's what counts for me. I will use them on the track when I can and not be concerned about using them there. I also clean and inspect my wheels twice a year with average of less than 2000 miles a year.

A view of before and after. I wanted to keep the factory look of the CE edition.

H-viken · 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Yeah, I guess immediate availability, the fact that there have been no wheel failures, that your center caps won't fall off and that they are half the price could be pretty frustrating...

Price and availability does not make a wheel better in my opinion, it makes it cheaper and, well, available. That in itself has its obvious advantages, but it does not make a wheel better, or worse for that matter. Rota vs Zuffenhausen has been debated back and forth for a while and debates like this will for sure continue (I for one hope they do).

1100sport · 10-25-2009, 01:20 PM

I went with 15'' Fuchs (8&9) fitted with Toyo R888 225/50 and 235/50. The grip is fantastic, the car feels more nimble and is predictable in corners, and I get a slighlty better gearing ratio...
And god does it look good!!!
Not the best shot but you get the idea

N11Porsche · N11Porsche's Garage

I don't have either Rota wheels or the Alton wheels so I am not speaking from experience. I am probably an "average" P-Car and now B-Car owner. My SC was not a daily driver nor did I track it every weekend. But I did have it on the twisties regularly and took it to redline all the time.

If I were buying wheels now, the choice would be easy. The Rota wheels look great and everyone who has them seems to be happy with their purchase. The Alton wheels are forged so are lighter but they cost twice as much. AND not everyone is happy about their purchase. I can afford any wheel I want but am still a thrifty shopper (I guess that's why I don't have to watch my money - because I do watch it)

If I tracked my Porsche every weekend, my choice might be different but I don't and neither do most guys on this board. This is not a debate on which wheel is better, at twice the price of the Rota wheels, I am sure the Alton wheels are the better quality wheel. The question is, in my opinion, which wheel is better for the average P-Car owner. I think it is the Rota. Now let me get down from by soap box and return you to the normal P-Car content

.

jsteve340 · 10-25-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Yeah, I guess immediate availability, the fact that there have been no wheel failures, that your center caps won't fall off and that they are half the price could be pretty frustrating...

If there have been no wheel failures for either,then that is not a valid point.Center cap locks can be installed if you are worried about that.
That leaves a heavier cast wheel vs a light forged wheel.

If you don't want to spend the money for a lighter forged wheel,then there is nothing wrong with the Rota Fox.
You get what you pay for.I don't see why you would be frustrated.

WPOZZZ · 10-25-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N11Porsche

If I were buying wheels now, the choice would be easy. The Rota wheels look great and everyone who has them seems to be happy with their purchase.

Not everyone has been happy as there have been a bunch of returns due to runout problems.

Dan Morton · Dan Morton's Garage

Does anyone have any recommendations on places to shop for 15" tires other than Tire rack and discount tire? I'm trying to use my BBS 15x9's on the rear of an RSR bodied 911. The tires today are 265/50 BFG's. I'm trying to stay close to this same diameter as I believe it's close to being about right....

drmatera · 11-08-2009, 07:43 PM

i just removd the factory turbo fuchs and replaced them with 18" turbo twists. The car rides and handles so much better and the harshness i was expecting was not there. I don't plan on keeping the twists on the car as i really want the 17" Altons but they'll do for now and the 11" rears look much better than those skinny 9's

m110 · 11-08-2009, 09:51 PM

I went from 16s to 17 X 7.5 and 9. The more modern tire selection was a big deal for me and in fact my Dunlop Direzza were cheaper than most 16 selections. There is certainly better grip in the back for my heavy 88.
I went with the Zuffenhaus/Alton wheels which are great and allowed me to sell the old set to offset the cost. One issue is that you really need to think hard about what wheel you want if you go 17 because you can really screw up the whole car's look with most of the current offerings in 17. My M6 had similar issues with only one tire in the world so I had to finally ditch the 415mm rims for 17s...it was a good move both times.
The only exception I think would be if you are running 15s in a wide size on some vintage racer that isn't a daily driver.