Tyre size wheel size updates??

Bluesman69 · May 12, 2011

Hi Guys
We love the look of our new baby (Early series 944, i.e. 2.5 square dash et al) and we are pleased to have cookie cutters already fitted. However, as with any of my older cars, the age of the car seems to be given away by the size of the tyres!! They're always very "chunky".
I know many of us like to maintain the original features of these cars, BUT we would like to update the looks if possible, but need to know how this might affect the handling.
So have any of you guys fitted aftermarket wheels with lower profile tyres, what has been you experience, what might you recommend and do you have any pictures??

thanks, hope you can help

Cheers
Paul & Sue
[8|]

Pastry · May 12, 2011

start here for offsets and standard styles; http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=403251

i've used 15" teledials and 16" 968 'cup' wheels. Not much different but i'd say ride and handling are better on the 15"s. But then the 16"s needed new tyres.

I've been told by my local indie not to go over 17" on a standard 944 which i've heard echoed by others and tend to agree with. But i've also met people who run 18" without problems (yet?

), but usually with suspension upgrades.

You get used to the look. I came from a lowered car with 17"s on and wanted the same look for the 944 originally, but over the last two years i've got used to the standard look, and quite like it. I think turbos and S2s suit modernising better. I 'll probably go to 16"s again at some point but no further.

threads with some good discussion/photos;

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=443375
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=486467

Mike_Pollock · May 12, 2011

I've got an '83 car on 15" cookies (with 215/60 15 tyres)

and an '89 on 16" Dustbin lids (205/55 front and 225/50 on the rear)

I did have 15 inch rims on the 2.7 when I got it and that is much better with the larger wheels, I think due to the smaller sidewalls standing up to the stiffer antiroll bar better.
I have also had road legal track tyres (16inch) on it for a bit. They have very stiff sidewalls, possibly giving a similar effect to the smaller sides of 17 inch wheels, but I found them a little harsh on todays roads!
As Pastry says the S2/Turbo front seems more able to look good with bigger wheels. I certainly wouldn't want to go any bigger with either of mine, from the looks point of view.

Bluesman69 · May 14, 2011

Ok A9XXC....your 83 on Cookie cutters has convinced us to stay with them at the moment....lovely looking car!! Thanks

Mike_Pollock · May 14, 2011

Thanks - I wouldn't change them, 215/60x15 tyres can be a bit heavy to steer with no PAS, but that is the only down side!

Love to see some pics of your new one.