vanster

I know this is a stupid question and I should know the answer but here goes

I have 17"Cayman wheels on my 86.5 What is the optimum size for the front. Now I have 215 x 45 x 17. They look too small, Should I go to 225 x 50 x 17 ?. Buying the 215's was a mistake so don't beat me up on it.

Mrmerlin

225 was stock, what is the rim width if you have 7.5 or 8 inch you could get 235
use a tire size comparison check to verify tire diameter so the ABS will work

928Myles

vanster,
225/45R17 is stock. Many run 235/45R17 up front.
What width are your rims as this will affect the tyre size for fit and optimal handling.

Myles

polecat702

I have 225/45 R17 front, 255/40 R17 rear, mounted on 993, 3 piece wheels. Car handles superb!

dr bob

I picked up a set of nice 17" wheels, new takeoffs from a 2002 911, with brand new Mich Pilots in 215 front width. I just couldn't bring myself to toss new tires, so I drove on them until they were done. The 215-section Pilots were a whole lot better than the OEM-fitment BFG TA's for handling but didn't last as long. Then I installed Pilots in 225's, and it made another significant improvement. The fronts are now due for replacement due to age rather than wear, which means the car isn't driven nearly enough. The wheels are wide enough for 235's and I'll likely go that way. If that adds another "significant improvement" in front grip I'll be very happy. Those PS-2's will be changed to AS-3's for some cold-pavement margin, to match the 255 rears that have already been changed over.

vanster

The front rims are 17 x 7 ET55
Can I put 235 45's on these?

928Myles

vaster,
most tyres in that size stipulate minimum rim of 7.5" so probably 'no'.

Myles

vanster

225 should be Ok I assume since many of the older 16" wheels were only 7inch wide and 225's were used.

dr bob

225/45's fit easily on 7" wheels. 235's are 10mm wider section, about 3/8" increase in total width (or 3/16" per side). They push the fitment on 7" rims but would probably work, just not optimal support. A lot depends on the actual tire brand, as some have wider or narrower tread vs cross section. In the Pilot AS3+ I'm looking at, the treadwidths are 7.4" for 225 section, 7.7" for 235 section. 225's are very stable on my 7.5" rims, while the 235's are just slightly over the rim width and will be slightly less so. Michelin recommends 7" min rim width for 225 section AS3+, 7.5" minimum for 235 AS3+. I'm sure that more than a few folks have managed to fit tires on wheels slightly narrower than optimal and lived to tell about it.

vanster

Bob
I had to put 17" wheels on my 86.5 because of the GTS brakes, I took them off of my '80. I had purchased the set of Cayman 17" wheels which I like better than the 16's for in my opinion they fill out the wheel well better. With the horrible pot holes in the Bay Area going to an 18" did not appear to be a viable option. I replaced the rears with 255 x40 x17 and for some reason I got hung up on the specs andI bought 215 x 45 x17 for the front. Now the front looks under tired. Now that I will have substantially more torque and HP with the 6.5 motor, I need more front grip.
The tires are Continental Extremes and for me they are reasonable choice as they seem to stick and they are relatively quiet. I'm a bit OCD regarding wheels and tires, more so than road rash. The red car as been in the shop for almost 18 months or so. Few more weeks! I'm looking for as much contact patch as I can get without becoming a clown car. My goal was to keep the 86 as orignial appearing as possible. I'm not even going to replace the 928S logo on the back.

77tony

Hey Van, Up front running 235/45/17's on 7.5" wide rims w/62mm offset. Rears are 285/45/17's on 10" wide rim w/56mm offset. Fikse Classic and Continental Extreme DW's all around...handles great. T

steved0x

I have been looking for set of those 17" 5 spoke Cayman looking wheels to run on my Boxster, they seem to be quite rare (or else I have been looking in the wrong places) - nice score! I think they are the only 987 17" wheel that is 7" in the front, I think most are 6.5" with an 8" matching rear wheel.

vanster

I just happen to run across them on CL in LA. You might keep an eye on CL LA as the about of Porsches/parts and wheels are huge. I paid $400 with tires but this was close to 3 years ago

Sagres74

If possible, pls post a side profile of your car with these wheels. I've been wanting to downsize from my 18s and have been looking for a good-looking 17".

thx!

The Forgotten On

I try to look for the tire with the narrowest side bulge, and the widest tread width that matches the rim's width. This tends to be Michelin or other good tires such as Continental.

This helps to avoid rubbing while still getting the maximum grip.

Tire rack posts these facts for all of the tires they sell so you can find exactly what you want/need.