ga911

I promise I'm not wasting your time on purpose. I've spent hours reading over 100 threads tire size dating back to 2001. I still wasn't able to find answers to my questions.

Long story short, I purchased a set of 18" 997 take-offs (fr 8x18 et 57, rr 10x18 et 58). They came with new tires, 235/40/18 and 265/40/18. The wheels fit perfect but for whatever reason, I don't think the tall sidewall on the 265/40's look right on the 996.

I'm highly considering purchasing new tires and would like to go with 285/30/18's in the rear as many of you have recommended in previous threads. My main question is matching it up with appropriate front.

In my stock (2001) set-up, 225/40/18 & 265/35/18, the sidewall in the rear tire is slightly taller than the front. In the current 997 set-up, 235/40/18 & 365/40/18, the sidewall in the rear is slightly taller than the front.

My understanding is that in 2003 the stock 996 C2 configuration went to 285/30/18 & 225/40/18 where the front tire sidewall is slightly taller than the rear.

Question: Does this look odd and does it further accentuate the problems caused by non-ROW suspensions (front end lift).

In addition, in a previous thread LVDELL states:
Holy moly, a 235/40 on the front?? The 235/40 diameter is 4/10" more than on the 225/40 which is already 1/4" more than the 285/30. Wouldn't this look really weird?

Any feedback is appreciated.

nick49

235/40 may give better handling with more rubber up front, less understeer. 225/40 is stock for optional 18" fronts. Either will work fine and look fine as well, I would go the the 235, handling always trumphs looks in my opinion.

gota911

My 2004 C2 came with the optional OEM tire sizes of 225/40/18 and 285/30/18. It does not look odd. 235 would work and help reduce understeer. If you car is still "light" on the front end, try adding a front lip or splitter to your bumper cover. You could do a search on "lip" or "splitter" for more info.

arenared

You're worried about nothing. Keep in mind that new tires vs. at-wear-bars is typically a 1/2" in diameter difference. 225/40 or 235/40 will work fine. I have 235/40 with 285/30 (Boxster, though).

Holger B

Throw this in the mix...996 GT3 came with 235/40 & 295/30 (rims are 8.5 & 11x18).

ga911

Thanks for the quick response. I think I'll get my hands on the 285/30 rears and get them mounted. I'll take before and after pictures for reference and post them for future inquiries.

FYI: Tire Rack has the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A 285/30/18's on sale for $155.00, about half price.

arenared

Since they wear 2:1 and are half price, may as well pick up 2 sets

ga911

Yeah, but I thought it was a lucky find since that is the model that's on the wheels and I can see how the front/rear pairing will work without buying new fronts.

jetskied

rember that thats total diameter, on the car the radius gives you the height of the sidewall thus the differenc is half. FWIW I like the 295/30 look better

pardnme

so I'm having a similar issue...and am reviving this older thread


I have a 2003 C2 NB (996.2)



It has 18" 5 spoke rims (Carrera II's)...18x10 rear (65) and 18x8 front (50)


I noticed that the 18" 5 spoke rims from the 997 (carrera III's) are slightly different looking. I"m trying to match up a set for my NB 996.


I've found a set of 997 from a cabriolet:

18x10 offset 58
18x8 offset 57

will these fit headache free and look normal on my NB 996?

My understanding is that the 65mm in the rear vs 58 mm means the rim will be going into the car an extra 7mm with my stock....so my 58mm offset will be no issues?

if my understand is correct the the fronts which are currently 50mm will going to 57mm which means the rim will be going into the middle of teh car (towards the suspension an extra 7mm)....which means I need a 5 to 7mm spacer?


my manual shows stock tire size for my 2003 NB:
225/40/18
285/30/18

if I was to use the 997 rims for summer driving, what size tires would you recommend? It's stock suspension.

996.2

Stock tire sizes look wimpy. So we put +10mm 235/40 and 295/30 on Sport Classic IIs. Fronts might just kiss fender liner at full lock and haven't yet figured if spacers would help or make worse, rears don't seem to contact anything. All fenders are rolled don't look factory but might be?

Rears smaller dia than front and really don't look right. In future will see if 285/35 will fit, and if so will look a lot better because .9 inch larger in diameter. We don't drive at 170 mph continuous or pull 1G on skidpad so can trade unnecessary performance for style.

strathconaman

245/35r18 is an exact match for the 285/30R18 rears

pardnme

will the offset differences cause an issue?

will I need a 5mm spacer in the front with new extended lugs?

Ratchet1025

This is what I am running on my 99 C2 and it works well. Proper stagger and balance in my opinion.

dan_189

Same setup on my 04' looks perfect - only downside is debris hitting the rear paintwork with the additional width and being so flush to the guards - can't win em' all...