Tire sizes

[ngocM6]

Hello,

What tire sizes should I use on the stock wheels 7x16 and 8x16?

Thanks,

Ngoc
87 944S

[Dave L]

http://www.cantonia.com/wheel_offset.html

I use 225/245 tires on my 7&8's

[Tidybuoy]

Just FYI, I just put 16's on my 944, 7" front & 8" rear. I put 225/50's in the front and 245/45's in the rear. It's been 1 week since I did this and today, I'm switching the rears to 225/50's.

It's a matter of personal preference but I do not like the look of the 245/45's. Their too low profile and the rear sits lower than the front. It's definately noticable that the rear wheel is shorter than the fronts and I thought I was being picky until a friend of mine also pointed it out to me.

Stock size for the Turbo was 205/55's front and 225/50's rear (according to my dealer sales brochure). The club sport option used the sizes that I put on my car but many people on this board have reccomended the 225/50's for both front & rear.

Just my $0.02 worth................Vern

[Dave L]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

It's a matter of personal preference but I do not like the look of the 245/45's. Their too low profile and the rear sits lower than the front. It's definately noticable that the rear wheel is shorter than the fronts and I thought I was being picky until a friend of mine also pointed it out to me.

you must be one perceptive MOFO the diameters of the 245/45s are 24.7inches while the 225/50s are 24.9

What the 245's do is fill out the fender a bit but it also will induce a bit of understeer at the limit. For me its not a big deal but for ultimate handling you do want the same size tires all around. I have 225's for my track tires.

[Tidybuoy]

It could also be the brand of tire. I have Bridgestone Potenza RE750. See for your self is you can see the size difference (this is right after they were installed so their a little dirty:

[Dave L]

you are right, I dont think it looks bad at all but you can tell that they are a different size. I looked but I dont have a size shot of my car with the new tires.

[Dtchy]

I had 16" PD's 7 ans 8 with 205/55 and 225/50 on them. Worked out pretty good and it is the best fit for a 7 and 8 inch rim imho. Looks really good too from the rear...no need to go to 245's.

I'm currently running 7 and 9" Fuchs with 225/245 (and the early offset Turbo Phonedials are FS if anybody's interested... )

I don't think your choice looks bad at all. I'd just stick with it (by the time you need new tires, you'll want to change your wheels as well...watch my words...)

[jcommin]

You also need to look into what tire brands and types are available with the 16's. I personally like Bridgestone's. I chose their Pole Position series. Tire rack or wheelenhancement.com can help you there. I used wheelenhancement for size selection. They seemed more knowledgeable with Porsche's.

[Aufgeladen944]

The new Bridgestone RE-01 are the best tires I've ever used. Fantastic in almost every respect-check on tirerack, because they did a bunch of testing against Advan Neova and other autocross-type tires, and the Bridgestones were just as good in handling, but quieter and better riding. They're also very reasonably priced-something like $100 per tire. I haven't driven a 944 with them, but I've driven a couple of M3's and was blown away. I've been through a bunch of tires and these were the best, bar none.

I've decided on those tires for the spring, but I'm not clear on the size I should get. I have 205/55 and 225/50 on 7 + 8 Fuchs on my car right now ('86 951). I'm somewhat inexperienced, but I do autocross and DE the car (when I can afford it!) Recommendations? I do like predictable handling, but I also like grip. Should I just do 225/50 all the way around?

I would like more grip, but I think the main reason my car absolutely sucks in the handling department right now is that the previous owner put "new" Yokohama dB tires on-which they stopped making in 2001. New 6 or 7 year old tires=dry rot like whoa.