Tirerack--Are they "Off"
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA--Land of Fog
Yet Another Offset Discussion
What would a Monday be without a wheel question?
I just called for giggles to find out about the offsets they are using on the 928S4 wheels that they sell. Why? Because is saw the 996 Carrerra lightweight wheels on someone's car this weekend (50 front offset) and they "seemed" ok and I just wanted to see what the rest of the world was selling.
So Tirerack tells me:
ATP Riva--47F 53R "guaranteed fit"
Cup 1--52F 47R
Cup 3--52F 47R
SSR GT3--"Sir, those will not fit." "But I've SEEN them on 928's" "Sir, we have tried it and it wont work"
I tell the guy that a 52, or 47 front offset is WAY lower than stock. He blows me off.
Anyway. I saw Tony H's car with the Rivas and it looked good. There is NOOO WAAAY that those offsets were 47 in the front otherwise his wheels would have been 1/2 way out the fenders.
Well, I wasn't planning on buying anything at TireRace for this car anyway, but it just goes to show you how uninformed they must be.
I've still not purchased wheels. I think looking is becoming more fun than buying at this point. How sick.
I just called for giggles to find out about the offsets they are using on the 928S4 wheels that they sell. Why? Because is saw the 996 Carrerra lightweight wheels on someone's car this weekend (50 front offset) and they "seemed" ok and I just wanted to see what the rest of the world was selling.
So Tirerack tells me:
ATP Riva--47F 53R "guaranteed fit"
Cup 1--52F 47R
Cup 3--52F 47R
SSR GT3--"Sir, those will not fit." "But I've SEEN them on 928's" "Sir, we have tried it and it wont work"
I tell the guy that a 52, or 47 front offset is WAY lower than stock. He blows me off.
Anyway. I saw Tony H's car with the Rivas and it looked good. There is NOOO WAAAY that those offsets were 47 in the front otherwise his wheels would have been 1/2 way out the fenders.
Well, I wasn't planning on buying anything at TireRace for this car anyway, but it just goes to show you how uninformed they must be.
I've still not purchased wheels. I think looking is becoming more fun than buying at this point. How sick.
Last edited by Seth W; Aug 6, 2003 at 01:42 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Commerce, Mi
I have not purchased wheels from them but I have used them for tires. If you know what tires you want, get a price from them and then go to the tire store and ask them to meet it. Up here I got Bell Tire to match it and I saved big bucks.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 2
From: No Turbo, No SC
I went to the local Bridgestone shop when I was looking to buy. I showed them a quote from the Tire Rack to see if they would match the price.
They said " Whats the Tire Rack"?
Go figure
They said " Whats the Tire Rack"?
Go figure
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA--Land of Fog
I guess all I'm saying is that we all "know" the "correct" offsets. Yet here are wheels being sold by "experts" to 928 owners that just don't correlate with the data that has been drilled into our heads. So, the obvious question(s) is 1) is Tirerack just plain wrong here?; or 2) is the dogma of offsets more flexible than first thought?
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Wurtsboro NY
Seth, from what I've read the offsets that people are using vary a great deal from factory. 928Intl was selling a set with 55/47 not too long ago on some sort of special. I was thisclose to buying them. Jim assured me there would be no problems with clearance and/or handling.
Trending Topics
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 40,491
Likes: 140
From: Insane Diego, California
My 17" Falcon Twist wheels have offsets of 50mm. Less than the OEM wheels, but a lower offset locates the wheels more outboard, allowing the fitting of 275 tires on the back.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner
Joe Kucinski
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA--Land of Fog
Interesting data points.
The Australia 928 website [ http://www.landsharkoz.com/tt/ttwheels.htm] has an article on lower offsets and ride degradation. I think the only way any of us could really be accurate on this is if we were superior drivers (ahem!) or went back to back on the SAME car with different wheels on the SAME demanding roads at the SAME speeds. Otherwise this is all ivory tower.
The Australia 928 website [ http://www.landsharkoz.com/tt/ttwheels.htm] has an article on lower offsets and ride degradation. I think the only way any of us could really be accurate on this is if we were superior drivers (ahem!) or went back to back on the SAME car with different wheels on the SAME demanding roads at the SAME speeds. Otherwise this is all ivory tower.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
I think Tire Rack knows what they're talking about. I am still using the 993 (GTS) MM wheels they sold me (9"&7.5"), and am on my third set of tires from them.
They were dead on about clearance and fit--no problems. They have also walked through upsizing with me, both front and rear--again, no problems (some may think I upsized too much, but I have no curb rash potential.)
Have also used them for my 914 and my work truck, with satisfactory results.
I'm sure there are all levels of talent and experience on their sales force, but the half-dozen I have dealt with knew their stuff. Good luck.
Jeff
'87 5-spd, 993 MM wheels
(look good, but bend too easily)
They were dead on about clearance and fit--no problems. They have also walked through upsizing with me, both front and rear--again, no problems (some may think I upsized too much, but I have no curb rash potential.)
Have also used them for my 914 and my work truck, with satisfactory results.
I'm sure there are all levels of talent and experience on their sales force, but the half-dozen I have dealt with knew their stuff. Good luck.
Jeff
'87 5-spd, 993 MM wheels
(look good, but bend too easily)
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA--Land of Fog
I think my point is that they are selling a replica wheel for the 928 that is not the "correct" offsets as generally accepted by the 928 community. Sure, they "fit" but the fitment is at the extremes and, if you follow the australian write up, contribute to much less stable tracking at speed.
This begs the question though: are the big 3 who are selling the MM replica wheels also selling these items at the same offset??? If so, why in hell is there all of this clamor when someone tries to fit a wheel not carried by the big 3 "just for the 928" when this alternative wheel has offsets that are the same if not better than the MM replicas???
Is anyone pondering this?? Are all of us buying 52MM front offset cup replica wheels because we know that they are the "correct fit" when we could have been choosing from a number of other 52 mm options in the porsche bolt pattern?? Does this really mean we should only be looking at actual Porsche Cup wheels from the GTS and not the replica MM wheels?
What about the ATP Riva that 928GT sells? Are they selling a 47 front offset wheel or do they have a fitment that is different from Tire Rack? (Don't tell me to ask them, last time I asked offsets I was told it would fit and nothing else).
Bueller?
This begs the question though: are the big 3 who are selling the MM replica wheels also selling these items at the same offset??? If so, why in hell is there all of this clamor when someone tries to fit a wheel not carried by the big 3 "just for the 928" when this alternative wheel has offsets that are the same if not better than the MM replicas???
Is anyone pondering this?? Are all of us buying 52MM front offset cup replica wheels because we know that they are the "correct fit" when we could have been choosing from a number of other 52 mm options in the porsche bolt pattern?? Does this really mean we should only be looking at actual Porsche Cup wheels from the GTS and not the replica MM wheels?
What about the ATP Riva that 928GT sells? Are they selling a 47 front offset wheel or do they have a fitment that is different from Tire Rack? (Don't tell me to ask them, last time I asked offsets I was told it would fit and nothing else).
Bueller?
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 40,491
Likes: 140
From: Insane Diego, California
It's a trade-off. Lower offset to accomodate bigger wheel/tire combinations.
Is the stated reduction of stability offset by the increased traction afforded by the additional rubber on the road? I think yes.
Is the stated reduction of stability offset by the increased traction afforded by the additional rubber on the road? I think yes.
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA--Land of Fog
Randy:
Actually, what I am really getting at is that we are constantly told about 928 offsets and how critical it is to have that front offset at >60. If the big three and tirerack are all selling replica (and other) wheels of a 52MM front offset, then there really CANT be a big deal at all, can there? If it IS a big deal, then why are the big 3 selling these wheels?
If its NOT a big deal, then there are a LOT of boxster/996 wheels out there that we all can be considering.
Actually, what I am really getting at is that we are constantly told about 928 offsets and how critical it is to have that front offset at >60. If the big three and tirerack are all selling replica (and other) wheels of a 52MM front offset, then there really CANT be a big deal at all, can there? If it IS a big deal, then why are the big 3 selling these wheels?
If its NOT a big deal, then there are a LOT of boxster/996 wheels out there that we all can be considering.
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 40,491
Likes: 140
From: Insane Diego, California
I'm of the opinion that incorrect ride height and/or improper 4-wheel alignment more negatively affect handling and stability than a deviation in wheel offset.
I could be wrong.
I could be wrong.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
No stability problems, at any speed. I did a couple of 3K road trips on stock setup, then six more trips with the 17x9 and 17x7.5 cup 2 (993/GTS) wheels.
The offsets Tire Rack sold me are 52 front and 47 rear. I made it from San Antonio to Phoenix (1000 miles) in ten hours on this combo. Most don't believe it unless they have driven that stretch of I-10. Running 285/40 rear, and 235/45 front at the time (now 245/45 front). Just ordered a spare front and rear of each, as they are discontinued. The size is perfect, however they are heavy and soft as I said earlier.
My ride height and alignment is dead on (rh on low side of specs.), and were both correct with stock 16 dish Yokos, as well as newer setup. I have put over 30K on the newer format, commuting and road trips.
In all fairness, at the time I didn't know about Rennlist and the Big 3. If I had, I would have surely used and supported them. I still would have picked the same size and offset wheels/tires however. Tire Rack has proven themselves to me.
Best of Luck,
Jeff
'87 5-spd. RMB, Ott, Chips
The offsets Tire Rack sold me are 52 front and 47 rear. I made it from San Antonio to Phoenix (1000 miles) in ten hours on this combo. Most don't believe it unless they have driven that stretch of I-10. Running 285/40 rear, and 235/45 front at the time (now 245/45 front). Just ordered a spare front and rear of each, as they are discontinued. The size is perfect, however they are heavy and soft as I said earlier.
My ride height and alignment is dead on (rh on low side of specs.), and were both correct with stock 16 dish Yokos, as well as newer setup. I have put over 30K on the newer format, commuting and road trips.
In all fairness, at the time I didn't know about Rennlist and the Big 3. If I had, I would have surely used and supported them. I still would have picked the same size and offset wheels/tires however. Tire Rack has proven themselves to me.
Best of Luck,
Jeff
'87 5-spd. RMB, Ott, Chips