15's on stock rims??

[Mat 71]

Hey guys,

Can I run these winter tires on my stock dish rims?? The owners manual mentions 15's that can be used...but was there a 15" rim stock on these cars?

205/75R/15

Thanks,
Mat.

[DanielDudley]

I think the stock size is 215, and even that is narrow for the car.

[Danglerb]

I think there was a special winter wheel, but finding a set isn't likely. I wouldn't drive a 928 in any kind of snow or ice if I had any other option, but as long as you don't have bigger than S brakes you should be able to put on a smaller wheel with winter tires. Maybe something off a early car, or a 944 or 924.

[devilinblack]

Per the 1983 Service Information book, 205/55 SR 16 M+S (up to 160km/h) and 205/55 HR 16 M+S (up to 190km/h) are approved.

If you have a set of 15" wheels and need to drive in the snow, I'd say go for it. I've got some 16" Boxster wheels that are 6" up front that I'm going to throw some cheap snow tires on to have around, just in case.

As for driving in the snow, my last car had about double the RWHP as my 928 and it was not horrible in the snow. Keep extra weight in the back and slow down and you'll be fine.

[Danglerb]

Ah, snowing soon around Knotts Berry Farm?

I wasn't thinking so much about controlling the car as the $400 plastic snowplow on the front.

[devilinblack]

Well, I usually make several trips to Big Bear to go snowboarding and also drive to Salt Lake on a regular basis. Performance summer tires are not much fun in snow and ice.

As for the snowplow on the front, my 78 not only doesn't have that but it's still got the standard 4x4 looking front end so it wouldn't be an issue until I get around to upgrading the front shocks. That is a good point though, maybe the front spoiler should be removed for the winter?

[Danglerb]

My idea of a snow vehicle is a 4x4 with 14" of ground clearance and rubber floor mats.

What do you do in a 928 when the highway patrol requires chains? Maybe the smaller 15" winter wheel helps with that?

[Mat 71]

"snowplow" has been removed.

Lucky that I don't have to drive everday, but need non-summer tires just in case...and for the bad days I have the truck.

Had this car going to a new owner (ebay...but didn't hit reserve), decided to keep it for an everyday driver, year round. Automatic, so my wife will drive in the summer as well. Going to look for another 911 in the coming year for good day driving.

The reason for the query was that there are a lot of 15" snows around right now in Ontario...not too much 16's.

Thanks!

Mat.

[devilinblack]

I have chains that will fit and they are mentioned in the owners manual as being okay to use, they do get snow in Germany after all. My last car (Lincoln Mark VIII) said chains were not to be used but I'd modified the stock air suspension so that I could manually raise the ride height giving me plenty of clearance. Even with the 15" wheels you would want the same overall circumference as the 16" wheels to keep the speedo correct.

As for the 4x4's with lots of clearance, those are the guys that usually end up stuck or in the ditch because they think that four wheel drive will get them anywhere and somehow think it gives them superior control in the snow too. Good sense and experience are far more valuable than all wheel drive and a lift kit.

[rhjames]

yes, there were 15's with narrower tires used for snow/ice.


the narrower tires will cut into the snow better than the wide ones, which tend to float on top of snow.

Wanna see the difference? look at the big rigs that have the standard duals compared to the rigs that have the latest wide-based super singles. I've done both. the duals will cut through rainwater, snow, etc....where the wide-based super singles will float, hydroplane, plow......you get the idea.


Did I mention I don't do "chains"......?





--Russ

[Jim Bailey 928]

To fit a 15 inch tire you need a 15 inch wheel and yes they were used on early 928s. The optional Winter wheels were 7x16 and used 16 inch tires and had a painted finish rather than the anodized finish of the S wheels. Most snow tires have higher aspect ratios (more sidewall height)

[Mat 71]

Thanks guys!

Mat.