Boxster S fitment and winter tires

[JTP]

Originally Posted by clueless1

There are a lot of folks who say the same thing. But I'm still completely in the dark re the questions I initially posted about fitment????

I don't know about tramlining or other fitment issues but if you went with 235 up front it shouldn't be an issue as far as fitment. I had 245/40/18 up front with no problems but I would not use that size for winter. I responded with a link to OEM 18" winter tire sizes in an earlier thread, in response to where you said you could not find winter tires in OEM 18" sizes.

[Topless]

Surely all you Canucks up in the great white north know that skinny snow tires work WAY better than wide tires on snow and ice. I'm just an old ski bum from California but we learned that lesson back in the 70s. Find a set of 17s and go 205 Front and 225 rear. The money you save in tire expense will probably pay for a decent set of 17 takeoff rims. If you fill, sand and paint your old 18 rims you can sell them tomorrow for $400 cause they will look like new.

[clueless1]

Originally Posted by Topless

Surely all you Canucks up in the great white north know that skinny snow tires work WAY better than wide tires on snow and ice. I'm just an old ski bum from California but we learned that lesson back in the 70s. Find a set of 17s and go 205 Front and 225 rear. The money you save in tire expense will probably pay for a decent set of 17 takeoff rims. If you fill, sand and paint your old 18 rims you can sell them tomorrow for $400 cause they will look like new.

thanks topless, i appreciate the post ... mainly because i came to the same conclusion myself yesterday while trying to figure out sensible minus sizing on my own ... and I was wondering if i was nuts or had stumbled across a correct solution. And sure enough, yup, the money i save on tires will pay for rims, if i can find a cheap set which seems to be harder than i anticipated.

I still have a few questions remaining.

If i run 225/45/r17 in the rear with factory fronts, am i correct i will push the car toward neutral but not into oversteer? Anything I think to think about re inflation pressures?

I am thinking 7.5s would be optimal for a 225 (and i think should fit a 205 ok) ... any thoughts about cayenne wheels (17x7.5 et53) all around? I know they are heavy (27 lbs/wheel) ... would this be good or bad. Aren't most of the stock boxster 17 rears 9 inch?

Re winter tires, are things like speed ratings, N ratings, etc relevant ... or does it make sense to just buy the best winter tire (which is what I am strongly leaning toward)? If anyone has a comment about studded/non-studded for edmonton, ab I'm all ears too.

[Topless]

Ok, Blizzaks will fit any stock 17" Boxster rim from 7-8.5":
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+LM-60&partnum=245HR7LM60&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

The rims should be easy to find. Any stock 986 Boxster 17" wheel set will work since they are 7 & 8.5". Use only a Boxster rim because they will have the proper offset. There are probably 50 sets of spare 17X7s in Texas because all the Boxster Spec race cars there run 8.5s all around. You would be doing them a favor by helping to clean out their garage of 7" rims. Tire Rack or Wheel Enhancement may also have some decent 7" aftermarket rims for a reasonable price that would work fine. If you order them today you could have them mounted on your car by Friday.