Need Advice on Tire Size fo 16" Rims

[Tidybuoy]

I could really use your advice here. I just bought a set of 16" Phone dials (all 4 rims are 7J16's).

I would like some advice on what's the best tire size for street use - I don't plan on any auto cross useage but I do want tires that both look and perform well on everyday streets.

According to Clarks Garage, the stock setups for 16" rims is either 205/55/VR16 or 225/50/VR16. However, the 225's are always on an 8" rim and all of mind are 7" rim.

I would prefer to have all 4 tires the same size simply for ease of rotating and so I thinking of going with the 225/50/vr16. My only issue with the 205's is that I really don't want any skinnier than my current setup of 215/60/15's.

Next Issue:

I purchased the 16" Phone Dials but they were originally for a 928. The offset is 55 (per the seller) but there isn't any "ET" stam on the insid of the wheels - just the model number which indicates 928.something (I left the details at home).

When looking at the rims, the phone dial section sticks out about 1/2 inch more than the 15" rims that are ET 52.3 and the lip around the rim is about 1/2 inch less than the 15" orig rims. I don't think this will be a problem but if anyone has something to say about this - I'm all ears.

I bought these on eBay from Ernie's Alloys in Florida. When they arrived last night, I couldn't believe my eyes - they are spotless and look brand new. I beleive that Ernie's painted them (inside and out) and did a very good job. My only complaint is that the color looks more like metalic gray vs. pure silver but the difference is barely noticable.

Any advice would be great as I'l like to get the tires ordered by tomorrow. Also, I was planning on getting Bridgestone Potenza's but I'm open to suggestions on that too.

Thanks in advance.................................Vern

[Techno Duck]

225/50/16 all around. That is the maximum you can get on a 16x7 wheel. Probably the best combo also.

Not sure of the offsets on the 928 wheels.

[Tidybuoy]

Thanks for the input. I'm leaning towards the 225/50's but I'll wait for a few more comments.

[1988_944]

I just bought a set of BridgeStone's from The Tire Rack. I gotem half price closeout. They are great tires for a great price. 205/55/16 & 225/50/16 . Stock setup for 16's.

[Tidybuoy]

Neal,

Are all of your 16" wheels 7" wide ot do you have 8" at the rear?

Thanks...................Vern

[1988_944]

8" in rear 7" front ,But the 1" should not be a problem. The tires ride is very nice for the price. I only drive the car alittle so they should last me awhile.

[Dantilla]

A 944 with stock suspension is most fun to drive with the same width tires both front and rear. The factory went a bit wider in the rear on the later cars to induce mild understeer, which is thought to be safer for the average (poor) driver. Just not as fun for "above average" drivers.

I'd go with the 225s all the way around.

[Tidybuoy]

Sold! I'm going with.....225/50/16's

My suspension is currently stock but I ordered the M74 Koni's (front & rear). Hopefully, it won't be too stiff.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[ERAU944]

i have a set of fuchs, 7x16 all around, and have the 205/225 setup. i used them on the track and it worked flawlessly, that's what i would recommend. just a side note, i have 225s on all four corners of my 15" daily wheels, and that works as well, although i notice a bit more tracking (pulling) tendencies on uneven pavement/crowned roads.

enjoy! you have some nice looking wheels! i wish i could find a set of 1986 951 phone dials for my '84

[Dave L]

I guess Im the odd man out, Im going with 225/50 & 245/45 Pilot Sports on my new (to me) Design 90s. FWIW I will also be running 225's all around for my track tires

Tidybuoy - you mentioned that you would like to keep the tires the same size so you can rotate them? You arent going to put the 8's infront and the 7's in back are you?

here is a great site with all the different tire sizes offered on the 944 through the years.
http://www.cantonia.com/wheel_offset.html

[ERAU944]

well, the D90s are 7 and 8 are they not? i'm pretty sure 225 is the widest you can get on 7 inch wheels...

the turbo comes stock with 225/245

also, tidybuoy said all the wheels are 7 inch, so rotating won't be a problem if he gets the same tire size (and non-directional tires)

[Tidybuoy]

Ok, I bought the tires this morning. Bridgestone Potenza RE750's 225/50/W16's. All four tires are the same size. I guess this will be an experiment for me and I will see if the front jerks or tracks on uneven roads. My current setup 215/60/15's do have a tendency to jerk around when I drive over crappy roads.

I'll pick the tires up this afternoon and we'll see how they feel.

On a separate note, I'm going to change out the struts & shocks next. My car only has 19k miles and is like new and the suspension is all original. I purchased the car after it had been in storage for 6-7 years and I've been wondering if this would have an effect on shocks (sitting for years). It seems to me that the ride has gotten a little harsh compared to how it was 2k miles ago when I bought the car. I'm going to go with Koni's which I'm getting thru 944online.com. The guy there has been very helpful and even sent me photos of how he cut the front struts (required for 77-79) and installed Koni inserts. But, I'm going to have to earn some money before I do that project.

[Techno Duck]

Originally posted by ERAU944
......

the turbo comes stock with 225/245
.....

Only the Turbo S and '89 951 came with that size with 7.5 inch fronts and 9 inch rears. Stock 944 Turbo's came with 205/225 with 7 and 8's.

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by ERAU944
i'm pretty sure 225 is the widest you can get on 7 inch wheels...

A guy once showed up at an autocross with 285's mounted on 15 x 7 Cookie Cutters. Severely pinched tires. Looked rediculous, and he didn't understand how I could beat him so badly on my "skinny" 225s.

You CAN go wider than 225, but you sure don't want to on a 7" wheel. I'm kind of suprised a tire shop would be willing to mount such a mis-match.

[ERAU944]

thats right techno... i forget sometimes there were non-S turbos... hee hee

let me restate:

225 is the widest you could 'resonably' fit on a 7" wheel... better?

[1988_944]

Let us know how you like the 225s all around. I like the Bridgestone's. My ride is way better then it was with the 15" Futura's. They looked good but rode like rocks...

[Dave L]

Originally posted by ERAU944
well, the D90s are 7 and 8 are they not? i'm pretty sure 225 is the widest you can get on 7 inch wheels...

the turbo comes stock with 225/245

also, tidybuoy said all the wheels are 7 inch, so rotating won't be a problem if he gets the same tire size (and non-directional tires)

Duh, just re read the first post and he did say they were all the same. My bad.

225/245 on 7&8's were also stock on a 944S with M030. I currently have SNOW tires in this size mounted on my new rims and they dont buldge or other wise look to big. In fact they simply look mean!

[Tidybuoy]

I just picked up the tires. They're not on the car yet - tonight when I get home from work.

They look totally awesome. The tire shop that I've used many times is a great little hole-in-the-wall shop but the guy there is a perfectionist. He installed metal valve stems (which I didn't even ask for) and he double balanced with all the stick-on weights in the inside of the rim but both the inner and outer edges of the rim.

They're sitting in the trunk of my car and as soon as I get home - they'll be on the 944.

[Tidybuoy]

I hope you can put up with my bragging but, you guys are the only one's I can show-off my photos to - none of my regular friends care.

Below are a few photos of my new 16" wheels and new tires. The rims are a tiny bit different since they are from a 928 and are not as deep dish as the 944's but I'll get used to them. The tires are Bridgestone Potenza's re750's 225/50/W16's on all 4 corners all wheels are 7" wide.

The few things that I noticed:

1) as far as steering wheel jerk or tracking on crap roads - not much difference from the 215/15's.
2) Steering is much, much stiffer and I noticed it instantly. These tires have almost no flex and the car seems much more in control on fast curves
3) Tires seem almost identical to the 215/15's. Maybe 1/4 inch shorter than the old and maybe 1/2 inch wider but you can barely notice.
4) The 928 phone dials are not as deep dish as the turbo 944's. The wheel offset is ET55

[ERAU944]

the rears don't stick out enough, some spacers will take care of that... not sure about the front though

they are good looking wheels! i only wish i could find some turbo phone dials for my 944, maybe someday