why only 225's on 8 x 16

[Harpman]

With 7J x 16 on front and 8J x 16 on rear, why did some 944's come with 205 front and 225 rear, some came with 225 on front and rear, and then some came with 225 front and 245 rear?

I'm thinking the thinner setup in front was so buyers (especially women) would find slow speed steering easier, and also do thinner tires mean the car can have a faster advertised top speed?

I have 7J x 15's now front and back. My 215's on front are hard enough to turn when making a slow tight turn in a parking lot, 225's on front I assume would be even tougher.

With 7j x 16 and 8j x 16 rims I just bought, do most of you agree that 225 front, 245 rear gives the best looks and handling? I've seen some posts that 225 on the 7 x 16 is too wide. Some say it's fine, and since the factory did this on some cars I have to think it must be no big problem. But if it is a problem, then is going 215 front and 245 rear OK (anyone ever done this?). I really want the 245's in the rear since they'll look so cool. I suppose I could go 215 front, 235 rear, but I'll lose some width in rear tires of course (damn) and 235's are a bit rare.

[Z-man]

Thinner tires up front also dials in more understeer, which is what the Porsche engineers wanted for the average joe driver.

225's will fit on a 7-inch wide rim just fine. (225/50-16's that is).

Currently, I have 225/50-16's front, 245/45-16's rear, but for track, I plan on running 245/45-16's all around this year: my understanding is that they will fit. (Of course, I'll be using 8Jx16's at all 4 corners with the 245's).

HTH,
-Zoltan.

[gearhead290]

An easy way to make up for the understeer is to put sticky tires on the front and crappy tires on the rear, this could very possibly create oversteer. And everybody knows that oversteer is lots of fun

[Frank B]

what is the difference between oversteer and understeer?..

[1.2gees]

I don't think there's a problem with going to 225mm wide tires on a 7 inch wide rim. If you're concerned about the specific tire/rim combination you can find out the recommended rim width range from the manufacturer (of the particular tire). I know dunlop SP sport 8000s were approved for 245mm(!!!) wide tires on 7.5 inch wide wheels last year.

This is coincidentally the same size I used on my 944 for a while, but ultimately I like 225/50/15s the best on an 8v 944 on stock wheels.

The tire width will affect top speed, as well as gearing, speedo readout etc.
Ahmet

[1.2gees]

Frank, very simply put oversteer is when the rear of the car wants to breakway first in steady conditions, and understeer is when the front does.
Ahmet