Best tire size for stock 17 rims
11-14-2008, 07:17 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Best tire size for stock 17 rims
Hi All,
I've searched for the answer but I can't find it!
My new 986 will be primarily a DE car. While I may go the SPBOX route, that probably won't happen for at least a few years.
The car has stock 17x7 and 17x8.5 rims with Conti SportContact rubber 205F and 255R. I would like to know what the best combo is for Toyo RA1 or 888s on these stock rims.
Is it 225F and 255R? Is this the largest and safest on these rims?
TIA,
dave
I've searched for the answer but I can't find it!
My new 986 will be primarily a DE car. While I may go the SPBOX route, that probably won't happen for at least a few years.
The car has stock 17x7 and 17x8.5 rims with Conti SportContact rubber 205F and 255R. I would like to know what the best combo is for Toyo RA1 or 888s on these stock rims.
Is it 225F and 255R? Is this the largest and safest on these rims?
TIA,
dave
11-14-2008, 07:47 PM
#2
225 will fit on the front
255 works fine on the rear. One nice thing about a 225/255 combo is it dials out some of the inherant understeer of the Boxster.
Many tire manufacturers have links to specs for their tires. In those spec grids is info about the min-max size rim for a particular tire. iirc, a 245-265 width tire will work on a 8.5" wide rim.
255 works fine on the rear. One nice thing about a 225/255 combo is it dials out some of the inherant understeer of the Boxster.
Many tire manufacturers have links to specs for their tires. In those spec grids is info about the min-max size rim for a particular tire. iirc, a 245-265 width tire will work on a 8.5" wide rim.
11-14-2008, 10:20 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My 2 cents:
It's not about the biggest or the widest. I've run 205s, 225s, 235s in various combos with 255s, 265s, 285s, and 295s in 17" and 18". There really is not much of a difference once you get the pressures dialed in. Getting the tire pressures right is the biggest difference (and running better tires -- those Contis are crap). The Boxster is basically using 911 tires with a very different weight distribution. Both 205s (1279lbs) and 225s (1356lb) are relatively overloaded. I think 235s work well, but it is a bit tight of a fit on a 7" wheel. On the other hand, I've run 265/40s on the rear and had to run ridiculously low tire pressures because the tire is fundamentally designed to support a much heavier load (1565lbs). However, 285/30s and 295/30s have worked well (as do the 255/40s) because they are designed for a somewhat lighter load (~1477lbs). For 17", I would try for 235/45 (1477lbs) and 255/40 (1477lbs). I don't know what sizes RA1s and 888s come in, off hand. I would be hesitant to run tires with a higher load rating than your 255/40s because the 2.5L is also a relatively light Boxster. (Mine is an S -- a couple hundred pounds heavier.)
Good luck, and your avatar rocks!
It's not about the biggest or the widest. I've run 205s, 225s, 235s in various combos with 255s, 265s, 285s, and 295s in 17" and 18". There really is not much of a difference once you get the pressures dialed in. Getting the tire pressures right is the biggest difference (and running better tires -- those Contis are crap). The Boxster is basically using 911 tires with a very different weight distribution. Both 205s (1279lbs) and 225s (1356lb) are relatively overloaded. I think 235s work well, but it is a bit tight of a fit on a 7" wheel. On the other hand, I've run 265/40s on the rear and had to run ridiculously low tire pressures because the tire is fundamentally designed to support a much heavier load (1565lbs). However, 285/30s and 295/30s have worked well (as do the 255/40s) because they are designed for a somewhat lighter load (~1477lbs). For 17", I would try for 235/45 (1477lbs) and 255/40 (1477lbs). I don't know what sizes RA1s and 888s come in, off hand. I would be hesitant to run tires with a higher load rating than your 255/40s because the 2.5L is also a relatively light Boxster. (Mine is an S -- a couple hundred pounds heavier.)
Good luck, and your avatar rocks!
11-14-2008, 10:21 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lawrenceville, GA
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MY 2001 986S had those sizes with Pilot sports when I got the car. I went to 18s with Dunlop Direzza Z1s and they feel so much better. Some of that could be new tire euphoria, but I would have a hard time going back to 17s, even though I know they are lighter. I used the lightweight 2 piece BBS 18" 10 spokes. so perhaps that makes a difference. The aesthetics are a definite plus, but I'm sure it handles better as well, although I can't back that up with any times. To me the car just needs 18s.
The opposite is true on the 968. 18s look better IMO, but the car handles much better with 17s or even 16s. The ride quality is night and day. Ride differences on the 986 are minimal with 18s compared to 17s, again just my opinion.
The opposite is true on the 968. 18s look better IMO, but the car handles much better with 17s or even 16s. The ride quality is night and day. Ride differences on the 986 are minimal with 18s compared to 17s, again just my opinion.
11-14-2008, 10:23 PM
#5
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lawrenceville, GA
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My 2 cents:
It's not about the biggest or the widest. I've run 205s, 225s, 235s in various combos with 255s, 265s, 285s, and 295s in 17" and 18". There really is not much of a difference once you get the pressures dialed in. Getting the tire pressures right is the biggest difference (and running better tires -- those Contis are crap). The Boxster is basically using 911 tires with a very different weight distribution. Both 205s (1279lbs) and 225s (1356lb) are relatively overloaded. I think 235s work well, but it is a bit tight of a fit on a 7" wheel. On the other hand, I've run 265/40s on the rear and had to run ridiculously low tire pressures because the tire is fundamentally designed to support a much heavier load (1565lbs). However, 285/30s and 295/30s have worked well (as do the 255/40s) because they are designed for a somewhat lighter load (~1477lbs). For 17", I would try for 235/45 (1477lbs) and 255/40 (1477lbs). I don't know what sizes RA1s and 888s come in, off hand. I would be hesitant to run tires with a higher load rating than your 255/40s because the 2.5L is also a relatively light Boxster. (Mine is an S -- a couple hundred pounds heavier.)
Good luck, and your avatar rocks!
It's not about the biggest or the widest. I've run 205s, 225s, 235s in various combos with 255s, 265s, 285s, and 295s in 17" and 18". There really is not much of a difference once you get the pressures dialed in. Getting the tire pressures right is the biggest difference (and running better tires -- those Contis are crap). The Boxster is basically using 911 tires with a very different weight distribution. Both 205s (1279lbs) and 225s (1356lb) are relatively overloaded. I think 235s work well, but it is a bit tight of a fit on a 7" wheel. On the other hand, I've run 265/40s on the rear and had to run ridiculously low tire pressures because the tire is fundamentally designed to support a much heavier load (1565lbs). However, 285/30s and 295/30s have worked well (as do the 255/40s) because they are designed for a somewhat lighter load (~1477lbs). For 17", I would try for 235/45 (1477lbs) and 255/40 (1477lbs). I don't know what sizes RA1s and 888s come in, off hand. I would be hesitant to run tires with a higher load rating than your 255/40s because the 2.5L is also a relatively light Boxster. (Mine is an S -- a couple hundred pounds heavier.)
Good luck, and your avatar rocks!
11-14-2008, 10:51 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, you can fit 295/30s if they are on the narrow side and you don't run coilovers. 10" rears is the max on a 986. Forget 11". I run PZero Corsas.
IMNSHO, there is more of a difference in tires (brand/model) than there is between 17" and 18". You could get 17s that exceed 18s. My OEM Contis were worse in every conceivable category than any other tire I've had on my Boxster.
IMNSHO, there is more of a difference in tires (brand/model) than there is between 17" and 18". You could get 17s that exceed 18s. My OEM Contis were worse in every conceivable category than any other tire I've had on my Boxster.
Trending Topics
11-15-2008, 01:03 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They're German? The government made them? They paid a fee?
I was also unimpressed with my PZero System tires. They were OK, but nothing to brag about. All my other tires, i.e., S-03s were superior in every regard, but they were not N-rated. Put me off about this whole N-rated B.S. TireRack ratings beat N-ratings every time
I was also unimpressed with my PZero System tires. They were OK, but nothing to brag about. All my other tires, i.e., S-03s were superior in every regard, but they were not N-rated. Put me off about this whole N-rated B.S. TireRack ratings beat N-ratings every time
11-17-2008, 05:17 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
225 will fit on the front
255 works fine on the rear. One nice thing about a 225/255 combo is it dials out some of the inherant understeer of the Boxster.
Many tire manufacturers have links to specs for their tires. In those spec grids is info about the min-max size rim for a particular tire. iirc, a 245-265 width tire will work on a 8.5" wide rim.
255 works fine on the rear. One nice thing about a 225/255 combo is it dials out some of the inherant understeer of the Boxster.
Many tire manufacturers have links to specs for their tires. In those spec grids is info about the min-max size rim for a particular tire. iirc, a 245-265 width tire will work on a 8.5" wide rim.
Never had a great expirience with Continetal's....
11-18-2008, 12:43 AM
#11
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I really like my PS2s on my 997. Maybe I'll spring for a set for the Boxster. I don't think I have the experience yet to be running R compounds, so maybe I'll stick with PS2s.
Thanks for the inputs everyone...I really appreciate it!
Thanks for the inputs everyone...I really appreciate it!
11-18-2008, 10:09 AM
#12
Racer
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
r-comps do not require experience, but it is my opinion it is important to learn on street tires before trying r-comps. R-compounds can mask a lot of bad/sloppy diving habits.
When you do take your first run on r-compounds you'll be in grip heaven.
When you do take your first run on r-compounds you'll be in grip heaven.
