Don Carter

I need some new rear tires on my 5 speed with CIII wheels (10" rears) before the drive to Marble Falls and am looking at 275/35-18's, a size I haven't used before.

My 86.5, also with CIII's, has 285/30s, which are about the same diameter as stock, but they look too small from the side in my opinion an don't fill out the wheel well very well. The 5 speed has 265/40's which look much better from the side, but the diameter is over 1.5" larger than stock, and the speedo reads 5 mph slower than it should, so maybe a bit too tall (they came used with the wheels)

I'm thinking that 275/35's might be a good compromise. They are taller than the 285's, but not as tall as the 265's and will only throw the speedo off by 2-3 mph. Anyone using this size or have any opinions on them?

(Looking at Sumitomo HTR ZIII's since I got 30k out of my last set of Sumitomo's)

Ketchmi

You got 30k miles out of a set of rears on a 928? Do you know what that pedal on the right does or have you even found it yet? I'm happy with 10k and don't even hit that often.

Don Carter

Sorry, just rechecked my maintenance spreadsheet and I added wrong. It was more like 20k not 30k. I knew that didn't seem right.... Anyway, I like the tires overall and they are very affordable and have good reviews on Tirerack.

FredR

Don,

In your case would it not make sense to standardise on tire sizes so as to open up the possibility of interchange should you pop a rim or wreck a tyre?

I would run with a 285x30 every time [or a 295 as I do nowadays with top notch rubber] but that is me.

If the tires do for you what you want them to do then fine. Personally I like the very best rubber I can get hold of which is why I run with either Continental, Michelin or Pirelli and they only last 3 years over here before the heat destroys them.

I have a mental association of 275's being for 17 inch wheels- not that it makes any sense. I think this harps back to my early days of 928 ownership when the "advanced owners" had such wheels.

Regards

Fred

Don Carter

Fred,

Good point, but the 265's need replacing soon too, so whatever I buy now, I will also buy for the other car within a few months.

prescott

This is a serendipitous post! I am looking at purchasing a set of 18 inch CIII's right now to modernize the look. I have a 1988 S4 with the old BBS gold 16 inch rims that look ok but a little too dated and coke flecked for my taste

What are you running on the front? I was considering 235/40/18 et 57 for the front. Is this right?

And then the 285/30/18 et 58 in the rear?

I was considering Continental DW for the manufacturer.

Don Carter

Yes, both of my cars are running 235/40's on the front. The 86.5 which sits a bit higher never rubs, but the 5 speed S4 does rub some on tight low speed turns. I haven't looked yet to figure out where it's rubbing.

I'm looking to move away from the 285/30's because they just look to small to me from the side. If you are picky about wanting the same diameter as stock, that's probably the best way to go. They don't rub for me using a 22mm spacer milled down to 15mm.

FredR

Don,

Good luck- at least you have the luxury of being able to get anything made on this planet- we are somewhat limited choice wise and quite often cannot even get a set unless we place an advance order- I have had 3 tyres wrecked by road debris [2] and [1] hit a dumbly designed curb stuck out in the road at a stupid angle in a pooly lit area. Availability is better up in Dubai.

Regards

Fred

dprantl

I have run 275/35-18's on the rear of a 928 without any problems. I am now running 285/30-18, these are IMO a better size. However, sometimes 275/35-18's come up for a much cheaper price.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

Don Carter

Dan,

Thanks for the input.

Price is definitely part of it... I've got NTB matching Tirerack's price(including shipping), so I'm going to be out the door for 360 + tax for both rears. That includes mount and balance.

I assume you like the 285 size because it's lower profile and slightly wider?

Randy V

Exactly what I'm running on 10" Carrera Lightweights.

Ketchmi

This is what I'll be running on the new 86.5' in a 275/35-18 size. (only because they don't offer it in a reasonable larger size. They make a 295/40 and a 315/30, one is too tall and the other is too wide...) No, it's not a cruiser or a road trip car and it will never (hopefully) see any weather.

http://falkentire.com/tires/car-tires/azenis-rt615k

I have run 295/35-18 on the beast without problems and they fit and look great with an 11" wheel, 45 offset and a bit of flaring. Really fill out the wheelwell.

Don Carter

Decided to go with the 275/35s, geez I hate watching NTB mess my wheels.

GlenL

Damn... missed being in but...

I run 275/35/18 on 9" wheels. Looks good and meaty. Check the detailed specs for tire height and rotations per mile to math with a stock size. TireRack has that info although not on all tires.

Don Carter

Chipped the paint on the first wheel, hopefully the 2nd will go better.