Hi all!
Here's a problem that I have tried my best to ignore for the past 10 years: My Carrera -88 was originally delivered with 15" Fuchs rims, but since there was an option for 16" in the specs, I started a search for new rims. I soon found a set of beautiful 16" Fuchs that had once sat on a 944, but when put on my 911 I immediately saw that they would not work. That's how I learned about the ET (Einpress Tiefe, i.e. offset) specification. I returned the 944 rims and got my money back and finally located a set with the correct specification. (16"/7" ET 23.3 mm in front and 16"/8" ET 10,6 mm in rear as I recall, Porsche part numbers 911361020 44 and 911361020 43 respectively).
These worked well, but after wearing out the original set of tires and fitting Bridgestone Potenza S-03 my troubles began. Or at least I think that was when they began. I believe the tires are of the right size (205/55 ZR16 in front and 225/50 ZR16 in rear), but when I hit a compression in the road, the front tires will scuff against the fenders. It works well on the race track, so "normal" driving will not cause any harm, but apparently bumps in the road causes the suspension to compress more than does tight cornering. The way I drive this only happens perhaps once a year, but it removes some of the joy of driving. My current theory is that it's because the S-03's are quite bulgy and extend a good half inch outside the rim at the broadest point. This is good for protecting the rims from curb scratches, but bad for the fenders. So even though the S-03s have the right specification, they are unsuitable for the car.
Anyone who recognises this problem? I could of course roll in the fender edges, but I have tried to keep the car as stock as possible, so the next thing I would try is a set of new tires. The rear tires are almost worn to the limit anyway, but the front tires are good for many more years of driving so it is a bit annoying. Does this seem reasonable, or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Cheers!
/Lars
Here's a problem that I have tried my best to ignore for the past 10 years: My Carrera -88 was originally delivered with 15" Fuchs rims, but since there was an option for 16" in the specs, I started a search for new rims. I soon found a set of beautiful 16" Fuchs that had once sat on a 944, but when put on my 911 I immediately saw that they would not work. That's how I learned about the ET (Einpress Tiefe, i.e. offset) specification. I returned the 944 rims and got my money back and finally located a set with the correct specification. (16"/7" ET 23.3 mm in front and 16"/8" ET 10,6 mm in rear as I recall, Porsche part numbers 911361020 44 and 911361020 43 respectively).
These worked well, but after wearing out the original set of tires and fitting Bridgestone Potenza S-03 my troubles began. Or at least I think that was when they began. I believe the tires are of the right size (205/55 ZR16 in front and 225/50 ZR16 in rear), but when I hit a compression in the road, the front tires will scuff against the fenders. It works well on the race track, so "normal" driving will not cause any harm, but apparently bumps in the road causes the suspension to compress more than does tight cornering. The way I drive this only happens perhaps once a year, but it removes some of the joy of driving. My current theory is that it's because the S-03's are quite bulgy and extend a good half inch outside the rim at the broadest point. This is good for protecting the rims from curb scratches, but bad for the fenders. So even though the S-03s have the right specification, they are unsuitable for the car.
Anyone who recognises this problem? I could of course roll in the fender edges, but I have tried to keep the car as stock as possible, so the next thing I would try is a set of new tires. The rear tires are almost worn to the limit anyway, but the front tires are good for many more years of driving so it is a bit annoying. Does this seem reasonable, or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Cheers!
/Lars