Tires... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

TriGem2k · 02-19-2007, 11:38 PM

Hi,

Driving today in the SoCal rain made me realize that my rear tires are due for change. They were way below the "wear bar" and almost flush to the point where the tire had no tread pattern.

I called the guys at Wheel Enhancement and they said to come on in. Took the car in picked out the new tires I wanted and then they told me they wouldn’t fit. My car HAD 285/30/18 Bridgestone S-03s and I wanted to replace them with the model which replaces the S-03 which is the R050A Pole Position 285/30/18. They said the new tire is MUCH wider and will not fit. Is that possible? Isn't 285mm 285mm anyway you look at it? Then they told me that the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 in a 295/30/18 is not as wide as the New Bridgestone and it might fit. THEN one of the other guys comes out and says NO neither the 285 or 295 will fit and that he won’t "waste" his time doing a test fit.

So because my tires were bald and I needed tires I opted for the R050A Pole Position in a 265/35/18. This really pisses me off that I went to a narrower tire. Now if anyone here can tell me that the other tire should have fit I will go buy the tires somewhere else have them mounted and then go shove it in their face. I will be doing plenty of searching myself but if you guys can help me out that would be great. Also if the 285 or 295 do fit then I will post the current ones I bought today for sale on the Forum for a much Discounted price.

Sorry for the rant. Just kind of ticked off that I'm not happy with the width of the tires I bought.

Some additional info you guys might want.
-Rear Wheel size 18x10
-Rear Wheel offset 48mm plus 5mm spacer, which equal 43mm offset

Thanks,
James DeMircift

blinkwatt · 02-20-2007, 01:41 AM

Dude James that sucks,let us know how it turns out. By the way how do you like the new tires? F.Y.I. hit up www.samsclub.com for Bridgestone S-02 tires at a great price!

Sboxin · 02-20-2007, 02:22 AM

They are probably correct. The new 050A Pole Position 285 is 11.4 inches wide at the cross section with a 11.3" tread. These would need a 15MM spacer to fit the inside -- a 33MM offset for your wheels -- would this put the outside of the tire into the fender?

If it were me - I'd go back to them and ask for the 285 and the correct spacer to fit!

We run 285/30/18 KUMHO V710's that are 11.1" cross section with 42MM offset -- wheels are 65MM offset with 23MM spacers -- on 02S w/H&R springs -2 degrees camber.

Good luck,
Ed

Cloudsurfer · 02-20-2007, 03:04 AM

As strange as it sounds, tires do vary considerably in actual size from company to company and model to model. Just being a 285 does not gaurantee any actual size. Based on the previous post, it sounds like the new 050 will not fit.

I am about to test fit 993 Turbo hollow spokes on my 02 S this week. 18x10 rear with 40mm of offset. The wheels currently have Pilot Sport Cups on them in 285/30 so I can give a bit of insight once I see how these fit.

I was planning to mount 265/35s on, but if you guys can give me enough reason to run the 285/30 I'm interested (and I dont mean based on looks, I want the car to be balanced without much tendency to undesteer).

Just curious, but how does the 8.5 fit up front and what is the offset of the front?

Patrick

TriGem2k · 02-20-2007, 08:41 AM

Thanks guys.

Ed-

Do you have any specs on the S-03 in a 285/30/18 compared to the R050A? Is there really that much of a size difference?

Patrick-

The 8.5" fronts have a 55mm or 54mm offset I dont remember 100%. However it fits fine with no spacers. I have no issues with the front (225/40/18)

James

FrayAdjacent · 02-20-2007, 10:16 AM

I put some BF Goodrich GForce Sports on the rear recently, 265 35 18s. They have amazing traction... I think the fronts are Bridgestone Potenzas... they're getting close to being worn out... and their traction is fading... they've caused me some understeer already... so I'll be putting the same brand tire on the front in the next couple months or so. I like that the GForce Sports don't cost an arm and a leg, and have pretty high treadwear for a performance tire. Given my Box is a daily driver, tires that last longer will be nicer!

TriGem2k · 02-20-2007, 11:31 AM

Called the guys at TireRack this morning....According to them Sidewall to Sidewall the S-03 and R050A are the same. However, Tread Width on the S-03 is 10.5" and 11.3" on the R050A.

Should I be worried about the Sidewall to Sidewall or Tread Width to Tread Width?

racer_d · 02-20-2007, 01:22 PM

In street driving, I think you would be hardpressed to notice a performance difference between a 265 and a 285. In fact, a 285 would cause MORE understeering feel in the cars handling. In fact, if the newer tire is "stickier" than the older tire, a 265 might give identical performance feedback. Some say, size doesn't matter

Not all tires are created equally. I've seen some "205"s that were as wide as some 225's. Each manufacturer makes tires differently. Just like shoes.. you may wear a 10 in one brand and an 11 in another or a 9.5 in another. Same with tire sizing.

TriGem2k · 02-20-2007, 01:59 PM

Just some quick feedback on the R050A Pole Position tires.....THEY STICK!

Being pissed off at the size (265/35/18) I’m determined to wear these things out ASAP. I've driven about 150miles on them since yesterday tossing and turning and the freaking tires STICK! Not once have I been able to "cut them loose" on a corner. So far the tire is great however I still want my 285/30/18s back for the "cool effect"

Oh and I’m still hoping one of you guys can help me out in obtaining the exact size differences between the Bridgestone S-03 285/30/18 and the Bridgestone R050A 285/30/18.

Thanks for listening.

~James

Peer · 02-21-2007, 05:20 AM

James DeMircift wrote:
> THEN one of the other guys comes out and says NO neither
> the 285 or 295 will fit and that he won’t "waste" his time
> doing a test fit.

This reminds me of when I brought a set of new Hankook Ventus tires that I got off eBay -- the tire guys said "There's no way those 245/35/18 will fit your front wheels." Fortunately for me, I'm a pig-headed bastard, and hence, I insisted that they mounted them. And guess what, they fitted perfectly. Some people should get a different job. By the way, also I run 285/30/18 rears... with no problems.

-- peer

02-21-2007, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriGem2k

Oh and I’m still hoping one of you guys can help me out in obtaining the exact size differences between the Bridgestone S-03 285/30/18 and the Bridgestone R050A 285/30/18.

James, here is your tire spec comparision. I could not find the S-03...only the S-02's:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/CompareTires.jsp?displayResults=3&compare=true&compareList=0%2C2&RunFlat=All&goWhere=%252Ftires%252FCompare1.jsp&width=285%2F&ratio=30&diameter=18&manufacturer=Bridgestone&startIndex=0&sortValue=1

TriGem2k · 02-21-2007, 09:06 AM

Hey Peer...What tires are you currently running at 285/30/18? Also what is the offset of your wheels?

Bmussatti thanks, but I don't think the S-03 and S-02 are similar tires. I know that even the S-02 and S-02A differ a lot so I wouldn't expect either to be similar to the S-03.