DaveK

I'm currently using 16" wheels and since Christer has moved to his 18" ricer wheels I know of a good pair of 17"s available.

Having thought about it for the last couple of days, I'm now wondering if I want to make this move. I've always been happy with my 16s (although they could do with a refurb), and they have the advantage that the tyres are nice and cheap. There is less tyre choice, but as long as I can still get SO2s that doesn't really bother me. I've actually come to the conclusion that my need to move to 17s is a bit like Christers view on getting rid of his flag mirrors..... not a priority. Plus - although I'm glad I didn't sell the car last month I'm still a little bit in the "I don't want to keep spending money on my car" frame of mind.

So the question is - if you've moved from 16 - 17s was it worth it? I'm not so bothered about the looks - my car is fairly low anyway so the wheels fill the arches OK. I guess I'd get quite a bit more rubber on the road - so more grip - and if I ever wanted to change the brakes I need 17s. But at the moment, I have no plans for those kind of changes.

So I'm wondering - should I stick with my 16s and keep the 55p Christer was probably going to charge me - or is there a huge advantage to 17s that I can't live without?

Ragin' Bajan

I've moved to 17's, mostly because the style I wanted was in 17's. I'd stick with the 16's if it's in a style you already like. I now have to contend with spacers and more expensive tires, and to boot it's not that obvious that I'm running larger rims ie the tire looks just as chunky as with 16. I do, however, prefer the style (D92 vs D90), so overall I'm happy, but stick with the 16's unless you have no choice is my vote!

Adrian

Dear Dave,
I use 17s for summer and 16s for winter. I made the change to 17s primarily due to the wheel and tyre testing I needed to do. Personally I would look for a set of 16 inch design 92s (MY 1992 and up standard wheels).
You are very correct when you say the tyre choice is limiting but so is it with 17 inch wheels and the 16s are cheaper.
In the end it is personal but if cost is a limiting factor then I would stick with the 16s.
Ciao,
Adrian
964C4

Bill Gregory

Not necessarily. I run 993 brakes with 16" Cup 1 wheels, which only require a thin spacer in front. Big reds, yes, you'd need 17's.

Moving to 17's will stiffen the ride a bit.

Christer

Dave

As this is a free rental as such, why don't you try them out - after all there is enough tread left so that you don't actually need to buy new tyres. The worst thing that can happen is that you don't like them and you might have to store them for a few weeks while I decide whether to sell them or keep them as spares......its up to you though of course!

DaveK

That is true - and since you haven't argued with my 55p comment, I guess they'll be really cheap if I need them! If you do need spare wheels, I have some lovely D90s in my garage........

On a different subject - how soon will you know if you can get out and about on 27th? Might call you later since I think it would be good to set something up - I'm probably busy the following weekend and it's about time we met up somewhere. Just got to see your car in the flesh!

Christer

Hi Dave

I get back on Saturday night 26th, so I will be in need of a drive anyway. Piers has said that he may be available providing he doesn't have to leave his armchair or pay for beer.....

Feel free to call anytime, but we can pencil that one in and just get in touch on the Sunday morning....

Piers, can you PM Dave and I a contact number or....?

dumluk

I moved from D 90s with Pirellis to 17" Boxster Dyno wheels with the factory Conti-sports and found that my ride improved quite a bit. Obviously due to the tires, but it reinforces that wheel size isn't the only factor in ride quality.

Plus the Dynos--a rarely seen Porsche option--look great on my black 964!
http://www.wheelenhancement.com/Dyno.htm

Go for the 17s!!

Jacks911

I would second the switch to 17s if the cost is moderate. I just moved to 7 & 9 X17 Cup II's with 255/40s on the rear. I think that the switch to 36 psi for the rears helps the ride quality a bunch. The "thumping" over road seems and patches is significantly reduced. Always hard to tell if some of this is not just from a switch from old S-02' to new Conti's .... but 8 psi made a noticeable differance in the old tire ( a test ) but for safety & handling I could not leave them at that pressure. And I also find the new combination of 7 X17 & 205/50s on the front give quicker turn in and much less wander on the freeway ? Is it Tires or Wheels upgrade ? I think both contribute.

BGLeduc

Assuming the switch to 17's is done properly, and thus the diameter of the tire/wheel is not changed very much if at all, the new combo should have no affect on the perception that the wheel arches are filled out properly.

In fact, it could have the opposite affect!

The Tire Rack site at one time had a good article about +1, +2, tire/wheel upgrades (probably still there somewhere) that offered the opinion that a bigger wheel with a shorter side wall may give the appearance that the wheel well is LESS filled up, all other things being equal.

There view was that the sidewall height, and how it compares to the clearance from the top of the tire to the fender lip was what gave us the impression that a given wheel/tire did or did not fill in the wheel arches correctly.

IIRC, they are advocates of lowering a vehicle when doing a plus size wheel/tire upgrade to maintain the correct "look".

BGL