Confusion : right tire size, who's right ?

[Luc Bernier]

I know that there's a lot of Post on that subject...

bought the car with 205-55-16 in front and 225-50-16 rear.


Tire rack is giving me different sizes with the year and model on the car :
195-65-15 front
215-50-16 rear

my garage suggests that I stick with the original factory size. he says that since the car light in the front, no need for wider tires.

Is Tire rack right ?

what do you guys think ?

thanks

[gregwils]

Tire Rack is probably providing the OEM standard, but most cars were brought into North America - 205/55 F and 225/50-16 R. The steering is still pretty light with 205/225, so why give up grip with smaller tire.

[JJG911]

My experience with Tire Rack is they want you to buy what they stock even thou it may not be the correct size. Besides, why would they try to sell you a 15" tire to go on a 16" rim?

I'd go somewhere else.

[winders]

Luc,

My old '78 SC came from the Porsche Factory with Pirelli P7 tires. Sizes being 6x16 wheels with 205/55VR tires at the front and 7x16 wheels with 225/50VR tires at the rear.

Scott

[Arne2]

The 15" sizes were standard, but the 16" was a very popular option. Stick with the sizes you have.

[pegasus9]

Tire rack gives me the same scenario for my car with 15" sizes.
Just a default set up it seems.

I run 17s for a better range of tire choices.
But I would stick with your initial 205 and 225 choice, that's what I ran on my SC.

[ace123]

I have the same (205-55-16 in front and 225-50-16 rear) on my 87 911 which I believe is the original stock size. Let me know what you find because I am looking for tires as well.

[ace123]

I just went to TireRack and clicked on the 16 as an optional tire. It did come back with the right sizes. See below:


Optional 16" Sizes for 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe

Original Equipment Tire Sizes available in 15
Optional Tire Sizes available in 16 17 18 diameters.
Or, you can select a custom size.

Description Size
Front Optional 16" 205/55-16
VIEW MATCHING
FRONT & REAR PAIRS
TIRE DECISION GUIDE

Rear Optional 16" 225/50-16

[canamfan]

Hmmm, 15" fronts & 16" rears? Don't sound factory at all maybe just a typo? I love our owner's manual(s), they're usually telling the truth. 1978 SC (targa, coupe) IIRC usually wore 195/65 VR or HR 15 fronts & 215/60 VR or HR 15 rears or optional (upgrade) to 16" with 205/55 "VR" (only) 16 fronts & 225/50 "VR" (only) rears Mind you the speed ratings available nowadays in these sizes are an added bonus ranging from (what was factory spec.) to ZR, W, Y etc. BTW the speed ratings should match on all 4 tires, but I think you might know that already

[avale]

I just ordered tires for my '87 from Tire Rack today. When you click on the optional 16" rims it provided me with the correct information of 16" front and back.

[Luc Bernier]

Thanks to all for clearing this up !

Luc

[porwolf]

Page out of my 1979 SC Owner's Manual. Probably the same as for 1978 SC. It also covers Winter Tire Specifications:

[pavegeno]

Picked this up at the dealership a few years back...subsequent revisions do not reflect the early 911s anymore...