brianrheffron

I am looking to buy a new set of original size tyres for my '89 S4.
The sizes are I want are 225/50X16 front and 245/45X16 rear
in a matched set.

Here in sunny UK I find that the choice of tyres is limited unless
you go for Pirelli ,Continental or Michelin, all of which are VERY expensive.

Looking at Tire Rack here seems to be much more choice in the US
and I think it may be due to the fact that a lot of bigger US cars still
run on 16 inch rims. You also seem to be able to get good budget tyres
like Fuzion, Han Kook and so on in the right sizes.

In the UK with some cheaper makes I can get the fronts but not the rears,
or vice versa. I have been looking at Nexen 3000 tyres and they get
a reasonable write up on tyre comparison sites. I can get the 245/45X16
rears but the nearest size for the fronts would be 225/45X16 which have
a rolling radius about 11mm less than the 225/50s.

Any comments on the suitablity or otherwise of running this tyre combination.
I feel it should be OK since many owners lower their 928s more than
this and if I set the ride height 11mm less than book spec. then the
geometry would be unchanged.

powpowj

My original tires where by the same manufacture 260$ for the fronts, around 400$ for the back, a piece. The rears are all special order 245/45/zr16 Now 125$ a peice all the way around. Two different tires but same treed pattern Works good for me 89s4

rixter

why not upgrade to 17" wheels, you'd get a much better selection of wheel styles that are more modern and tire selection is greater across the board

GeorgeM

18s work great too. Didn't I see a set of 997 Carrera IIIs for sale on here??

joejoe

I have the Avon brand mtech500 from tire rack on my cars. Was probably the cheapest and they have matching 225/50 16 and 245/45/16

brianrheffron

Thanks for the comments.
Avons web site in the UK does not list a 245/45X 16 tyre at all.
Also, I already have both 17 inch and 18 inch wheels, both sets
fitted with Toyo Proxes. I have recently bought a set of Club Sport
wheels and need the 16 tyres for those. I can get the correct sizes
with Toyo Proxes but again they are quite expensive.
I think I will go with the Nexens despite them not being the exact
size specified and I'll let you know how they perform.
Looking at the Tire rack site I am amazed how cheap tyres
are in the US. Ditto spare parts and tools. We are also still paying
the equivalent of $6.50 for petrol so if you think running a 928 is
expensive you should try it in the UK.