Wheels for 911 - 8s or 9s? 16s or 17s? Oh the dilemma...

[tshort]

My 88 coupe came with 15x7/8 Fuchs. Tires are now pretty hard to find in a v rating, that work well. I recently replaced the ancient AVSs that I had with Kumhos, and they suck - lots of body roll now, and the car just isn't as much fun to drive now. So after reading as much as I could find on moving to 16" rims, I started watching ebay, craigslist, and these boards for Fuchs deals. Got me a pair of 7x16" for the front, and was figuring on getting some 8x16 for the rear. Until I read about how you could actually run 9x16 on the rear, and gee - that gives you some nicer tire options.

Well it's been a year, and I still haven't scored the rears, and now I'm learning that finding 16" rubber is getting harder too.

So what do the Carerra guys recommend doing *now*? If you were starting from scratch, would you go to 16s or 17s? If 16s would you aim for an 8 or a 9? Why? Would you consider having some 17s built on stock Fuchs hubs? Other ideas? I like Fuchs, so I don't want to deviate away from those.

I know topic has been thrashed a few times, but the tire world keeps evolving (in the wrong direction), and it's still not clear to me where I should be focusing my search. I just want to solve this so I can get my car shod with some decent tires and get back to enjoying the twisties again. Many thanks for any tips/recommendations.

Tom
'88 911 Coupe,
Diamond Blue Metallic
Signed Seats - Commemorative Edition

[Lebowski]

I'm in the exact same position, 15x7 and 15x8 with ancient Yoko AVS tires in need of replacement...
I'm debating posting a want to trade for 16" Fuchs or having some 16" minilites made...
I like some of the aftermarket options for 17" Fuchs, but I'm unsure I can justify the added weight and cost... I love the way my early/lightweight SC feels, and all that unsprung weight of 17" wheels and tires I'm afraid might ruin it.
Curious to see what you decide...

[rattlsnak]

Are you going to run street tires or an R tire? I just went through this, and if you are going to run strictly street, go with 17s. I couldnt find a 245/16 tire in any street application. If you want to go with 205 / 225, you should be ok, but if you want to run 225 / 245s, youre out of luck. If you want to run a DOT R tire, then 16s are fine. i went with 16s am am running the Toyo RA1s on the street as well.

[tshort]

I'm a street guy - used to do track days but decided to give my baby a rest and just take her out for spirited runs through the mountains. So I like to push it around, and want reasonably good tires - but no need for track rubber.

[Macroni]

I would stick with the 15s and find a tire. I am running BF Goodrich....

They are the proper wheel for the car!

[agrimmitt]

(See my garage for more details>agrimmitt)
My base car started at a 83sc, still with *stock wells; so most of what I have done should help.

The main reason a lot of the guys are going to 17" is the decrease in tires available for 15" and 16" without going to "race" or dot legal perfomance tires. These may not be a good choice in cold or damp area's of the country. With a larger section of good street and or performance tires in the 17" range. I have found (street usage) you gain a little top end with 17" and less a little snap with them. But the front rims never look totally correct, so you need to put a set on the car. If your a pca or poc member, at your next meeting>ask around and see if one of the guys (w/the tire you thinking of or size) will come over on a saturday and mount them on your car. Or go to an "good" Independent Porsche shop>ask, see, learn.

I run 7x16 and 9x16 and ever 9.5x16 rims without major issue with 205 or 225/45/16 and 245/40/16 Toyo RA1's or R888 Along with some Goodyears between times.
I have run until about two weeks ago, 7.5x17 and 9x17" rims on the car with 205/45/17 and 245 or 255/40/17" Sum ZII tires
I own and have mounted with tires 16" Fuch's, 16" MiniLite's and custom three piece Fuch/BBS hooped 17" rims on the car as the event or trip requires.

Hope the input help!
art
agrimmitt@pelican


* I have rolled somewhat the lips and have done a lot of suspension adjustment and upgrades. Torsion bars, Sway bars, height adjusted and camber adjustments and complete corner balance of the car afterwards.

[agrimmitt]

Originally Posted by Macroni

I would stick with the 15s and find a tire. I am running BF Goodrich....

They are the proper wheel for the car!

I hope the "Philly Guys" are coming again this year west for Targa California. If so, Dave would request you make your hotel reservations so to block to complete hotel in Paso Robles for just the event guys this year.
Be save!
art
agrimmitt@pelican

Alias> Team Blue Egg!

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by tshort

My 88 coupe came with 15x7/8 Fuchs. Tires are now pretty hard to find in a v rating, that work well. I recently replaced the ancient AVSs that I had with Kumhos, and they suck - lots of body roll now, and the car just isn't as much fun to drive now. So after reading as much as I could find on moving to 16" rims, I started watching ebay, craigslist, and these boards for Fuchs deals. Got me a pair of 7x16" for the front, and was figuring on getting some 8x16 for the rear. Until I read about how you could actually run 9x16 on the rear, and gee - that gives you some nicer tire options.

Well it's been a year, and I still haven't scored the rears, and now I'm learning that finding 16" rubber is getting harder too.

So what do the Carerra guys recommend doing *now*? If you were starting from scratch, would you go to 16s or 17s? If 16s would you aim for an 8 or a 9? Why? Would you consider having some 17s built on stock Fuchs hubs? Other ideas? I like Fuchs, so I don't want to deviate away from those.

I know topic has been thrashed a few times, but the tire world keeps evolving (in the wrong direction), and it's still not clear to me where I should be focusing my search. I just want to solve this so I can get my car shod with some decent tires and get back to enjoying the twisties again. Many thanks for any tips/recommendations.

Tom
'88 911 Coupe,
Diamond Blue Metallic
Signed Seats - Commemorative Edition

My '76 Carrera 3.0 came w/ 7 & 8 x15 Fuchs and they were great, but as you are finding, tire selection has become more and more limited over the years, I fist went to 7 & 8 x16 then 7 & 9 x16 w/ a brief experiment w/ 8 & 9 x16, the & & 9 x16 was a great package but the selection of tires in the preferred 245/45 x16 sizes is also very limited.

Currently I have 8 & 9.5 x17 where, so far, there has been a great choice of tires.

The advantages of 17 besides tire selection are many, among them a better choice of widths and off sets for better fitment

JMO but the sweet spot for 17s is 8ET30 & 9ET15 w/ 225/45 and 255/40 tires.

[GrantG]

The Toyo RA1 in 205/50/15 and 225/50/15 are great tires for road (unshaved) or track (shaved), are cheap in those sizes (fit the 15 x 7 & 8 perfectly), and will give you better acceleration with the lower gearing (especially useful with the G50 cars).