Another Tire Thread

[steved0x]

The stock diameter for our 986 front tires is 25", so out of those two choices 215/45/17 is the closest but still under, and 215/40/17 is shorter. If you go to 225/45/17, it is right at 25", same diameter as the stock 205/50/17 fronts. I am running 225/45/17 fronts on my Boxster. They look better and in my opinion they handle better, better grip up front and less understeer, and if you are looking for performance tires (which you say you are not) it really opens up a lot of choices are there are very few 205/50/17 Extreme Summer tires.

When I was in Charlotte, NC I had Max performance summer tires on year round, and the guy I bought the car from in PA also ran Max perf summer tires all year, and drop his jeep to work if it was snowy/too cold/etc.

I'm not sure what the weather is like in TN in winter so I'm not sure what would be best for you. But in NC I never had any trouble, if it was snowy or super cold I just took my Tacoma. Now I am in FL so it is barely ever below freezing.

Edit: If you want to run an A/S, the new(ish) Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 is supposed to be very good, several folks on here run that tire.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by steved0x

The stock diameter for our 986 front tires is 25", so out of those two choices 215/45/17 is the closest but still under, and 215/40/17 is shorter. If you go to 225/45/17, it is right at 25", same diameter as the stock 205/50/17 fronts. I am running 225/45/17 fronts on my Boxster. They look better and in my opinion they handle better, better grip up front and less understeer, and if you are looking for performance tires (which you say you are not) it really opens up a lot of choices are there are very few 205/50/17 Extreme Summer tires.

When I was in Charlotte, NC I had Max performance summer tires on year round, and the guy I bought the car from in PA also ran Max perf summer tires all year, and drop his jeep to work if it was snowy/too cold/etc.

I'm not sure what the weather is like in TN in winter so I'm not sure what would be best for you. But in NC I never had any trouble, if it was snowy or super cold I just took my Tacoma. Now I am in FL so it is barely ever below freezing.

Edit: If you want to run an A/S, the new(ish) Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 is supposed to be very good, several folks on here run that tire.

+1 on the tire size

225/45-17 front and 255/40-17 rear are a better setup, much more neutral with less understeer.

Definitely look at the Michelin AS/3. I have them on my 996 and they are very good performing tires. as an added plus, they have a treadlife warranty and Michelin stands behind them. I know, the rears on my 996 wore out and I only had to pay 30% of the full replacement cost!

read the fine print on any warranty, for example Michelin cuts the warranty in half when you have a staggered setup like we do. I have no idea what other manufacturers do

[Racer Boy]

Originally Posted by steved0x

The stock diameter for our 986 front tires is 25", so out of those two choices 215/45/17 is the closest but still under, and 215/40/17 is shorter. If you go to 225/45/17, it is right at 25", same diameter as the stock 205/50/17 fronts. I am running 225/45/17 fronts on my Boxster. They look better and in my opinion they handle better, better grip up front and less understeer, and if you are looking for performance tires (which you say you are not) it really opens up a lot of choices are there are very few 205/50/17 Extreme Summer tires.

Are you running the 225/45/17's on the stock rims? The recommended rim width for that size is 7.5 at the narrowest, but the stock rims size is 7.0.

If you are running the stock rim size, have you noticed any issues with the slightly too-narrow rims with those tires? Do they rollover on the rim when running hard?

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Racer Boy

Are you running the 225/45/17's on the stock rims? The recommended rim width for that size is 7.5 at the narrowest, but the stock rims size is 7.0.

If you are running the stock rim size, have you noticed any issues with the slightly too-narrow rims with those tires? Do they rollover on the rim when running hard?

7" are fine, at least with my Dunlop Star Spec and Sumi HTR ZIII in 225/45-17
Go to Tirerack and look at the tire specs and you will see that the rim width range is 7"-8" or 8.5" for 225/45

I tracked both and no rollover issues

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by Racer Boy

Are you running the 225/45/17's on the stock rims? The recommended rim width for that size is 7.5 at the narrowest, but the stock rims size is 7.0.

If you are running the stock rim size, have you noticed any issues with the slightly too-narrow rims with those tires? Do they rollover on the rim when running hard?

Stock 7" rims, and I have run on those rims in 225/45/17:

Sumitomo HTR Z III
Hankook R-S3
Toyo R888

No problems whatsoever and have never had any trouble getting them mounted. The first one out of these was the Hankook which I got from Tire Rack and they confirmed it was an approved size for the Boxster on a 7" wheel.

I just did a quick check on Tire Rack and all 3 of the tires listed above are approved on a 7"-8.5" wheel, with the section with the various tire measurements being made on a tire mounted to a 7.5" wheel.

Each tire brand may be different so that may be why your tire didn't list 7" as an approved wheel width?

[Racer Boy]

Originally Posted by JayG

7" are fine, at least with my Dunlop Star Spec and Sumi HTR ZIII in 225/45-17
Go to Tirerack an d look at the tire specs and you will see that the rim width range is 7"-8" or 8.5" for 225/45

I tracked both and no rollover issues

Originally Posted by steved0x

Stock 7" rims, and I have run on those rims in 225/45/17:

Sumitomo HTR Z III
Hankook R-S3
Toyo R888

No problems whatsoever and have never had any trouble getting them mounted. The first one out of these was the Hankook which I got from Tire Rack and they confirmed it was an approved size for the Boxster on a 7" wheel.

I just did a quick check on Tire Rack and all 3 of the tires listed above are approved on a 7"-8.5" wheel, with the section with the various tire measurements being made on a tire mounted to a 7.5" wheel.

Each tire brand may be different so that may be why your tire didn't list 7" as an approved wheel width?

I found the 7.5" recommendation in a generic chart I found somewhere.

Thanks for the information!