Kika_

I purchased a 944 about a month ago and I'm going to be doing some small work to it over the winter to get it ready for spring/summer. I'm coming out of an E30 and by far the best modification I did to that car was a set of Continental ExtremeContact summer tires. The 944 has a set of cheap all seasons that I want to change out but I'm having a hard time finding a "good" set of summer tires. I have the 15 inch cookie cutters and right now I have 215/60/R15's on them. The only decent tire I'm seeing in that size is the Pirelli P600 and they're almost $277 per tire I've read that some people have been able to squeeze on 225/50/15's but the only tires they have in that size that you can use on the street is the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R or an all-season Kuhmo Ecsta. My car is a 1984 NA but would I be better off looking for a set of 16 inch Fuchs and tires or does anyone have any other recommendations for me?

Thanks!

Dan Martinic

Um.. if you're not crazy about spending $277 per tire--neither am I--, you'll not be looking for Fuchs any time soon lol

lamrith

Yeah Fuchs are usually pretty darn spendy. I think $1300+ wheels alone, least they are around here..

I get not wanting huge $ per tire, maybe find a reasonable set of aftermarket wheels, or stock takeoffs from other models porsche's, 17 or 18" should be easy to find and then tires might be easier to find in good models? Maybe a set of takeoffs will have tires with some life left so you can run them to save $ back up.. Then watch for sales, look online tirerack, discount tire, amazon for a deal to pop up. I got a set of 275/40ZR20 GMAX tires for my SHO from amazon for $95/ea shipped last spring. Normally a $200 tire.

Kika_

I completely agree with you guys. I don't really want to spend big money on new wheels but I feel like you can't lose money on Fuchs whereas tires need to be replaced at least every few years. I'm just wondering if the grass is greener on the 16 inch side.

lamrith

I guess my response on that is that if it is greener on the 16" side, it is even more green on the 17 or 18" side... You did not mention what year 944? There are early and late offset to the wheels. If you have late offset 17/18" also opens you up to takeoff wheels form other models of porsche which can sometimes be quite reasonable on places like craigslist....

Kika_

I have an 84 NA and I think 16 inch is the max I'd be willing to go. I don't think big wheels really fit the early models all too well

afilsinger

I run 205/50/15 RE71Rs on my 944 race car on stock 15" phone dials. They are about $125/tire. 200 treadwear so street legal.

Kika_

Do you notice much of a difference between the 215's and the 205's?

afilsinger

I never had anything larger on the car, but I run competitive laptimes with guys running larger, far stickier rubber so I don't think the small sizes is slowing the car down much. 215 to 205 is also only one size, so you likely won't notice.

AkechiMotors

Arominus

I just ran the smaller diameter 205/50's on my dials, they are smaller in diameter but it was worth it for the grip. I ran 195/65/15's in the winter for snow, these matched the stock 215/60 diameter.

Tom R.

Mike autocrossed the S on those 195s. Grip was not part of his day.

The smaller diameter is a easy way to lower the center of gravity for no money. Adjust the speedometer for the smaller diameter and have fun.

doolittle

The 225/50-15 tires are shorter overall, so you end up with more space between the tire and fender. That can look odd if the car is not lowered.

You have an early offset car, so you are limited to 1986.5 and earlier factory 944 wheels (Fuchs, phone dials, and cookie cutters) which are 23.3mm. A later offset wheel (53.3mm) will require spacers to be used, which may necessitate longer wheel studs. Here is a chart showing various factory 944 wheels and offsets: https://members.rennlist.com/951_rac...tockSizes.html

Personally, I have a 1983 944 (with manual steering) and replaced my cookie cutters with replica 16x7 and 8 Fuchs with 205/55f and 225/50r Bridgestone RE71-R tires. The replicas are heavier than the cookie cutters, but I love the look and the tires have been a blast on the street and track. If I were buying again I would consider a square set-up (16x8 and 225/50 all around) or 16x8 and 9 with 225/50f and 245/45r tires.

Dan

Scott at Team Harco

I agree. 16" is the max I would consider on the early cars. I 'reluctantly' run 17s on my S2. They look good and I like the width, but the low profile tire is not ideal on the mine-field roads of my area.

Getting good tires for 15" wheels is getting harder and harder. 225/50R15 was a good choice a few years ago. I always thought 225/55R15 would be really good - but good luck finding a good tire in that size. 225/50 is what I ran for many years. Unless you want a competition tire, that size is hard to find for street use. Even the stock 215/60R15 is hard to find as well. I bought a set of Coopers (in that size) about a year ago to put on Nico. Maybe by spring, I'll install them.

The good thing if you do decide to go with 16s, is there are more good tire options available. You are limited on 16" (wheel) options due to the small offset needed. The first year of the turbo could be had with 16" phone dials. There should be a few of those available in the marketplace. Might be a good thing to look in to.

Best of luck

Arominus

haha i can't see them doing well for that. Those tires got me through a lot of fun runs in the snow though! I'm sure he got the drift trophy that day with em.