Help - Tire issues on my 2002 Boxster

[jaybird]

My wife just purchased a 2002 Boxster, she's is in Heaven. However when she bought the car it has different tires and rims, not factor equipment I think, see the attached pictures.

We noticed when we got it home that the front tires were rubbing when we turned lock to lock. Never had a Porsche before so I am wondering if we can use these tires and rims or do we have to start over.

On the Front: 245/35zr/19
On the Rear: 285/30zr/19

the car rides very nicely. Need some direction regarding the front tires. Thanks
in advance for the help!!!
Front tire

Rear Tire

[RawleyD]

From what I THINK I understand, wheels larger than 18" will need some spacers.

JD?

[Spinnaker]

Looking at your picture, it appears that the tire is rubbing on the inner fender well at the front. The diameter of the tire looks too large for the clearance available. 19" wheels did not come out from the factory until 2005 in the 987 models. The stock tire size was 235/35-19 for the fronts. You could check the tire diameter specs for the smaller size tire to see if it will clear the fender well.
In 2002, the largest factory size was 225/40-18 in the front.
If the wheel offset is a different from the stock rims, the swing radius of the edge of the tire may be greater, which might be where your problem is. There is only .7" difference between the diameter of 225/40-18 and the 245/35-19 (Michelin specs).

[Joe B]

The tires and rims are too big. I had 235/18s on my 2003 S and they rubbed the wheel well liner. 225s (stock size) cured the problem.

[jsceash]

You have to be careful about the wheels and the offset. Those look like three piece 911 wheel and if they rub the inside of the fenders there is pretty much nothing you can do short of raising the car. Spacers will only make the rub worse. 245 35 19 are too large around you should be looking for tires with an outside diameter of about 25.00 to 25.375" the 245 35 19 tire run about 25.75"

[woodsman]

The rubbing is quite harmless. If you want to save money, back off the steering .5" when you hear it. If you want it gone, make sure there's no spacer between the front wheel and the hub to remove ( this would solve the problem). Then buy or trade for wheels/ tires in the stock size ( listed in the manual or on the drivers door post). The wheels you have may be worth $400 0r $2000, depending on who made them. The mfg should be stamped somewhere on the wheels. You can list them for sale on this forum in the classified section. Welcome to the club!

[jcb986]

My S came with 18's and they are fine.

Fronts 18x7.5 ET50
225/40/18

Rears 18x9 ET 52
265/35/18

[jaybird]

Thank you all for the input. Had a feeling new tires and rims might be in our future...

Cheers!

[Deserion]

It seems that a 225/35/19 would fit the front (if keeping those wheels anyway).

[jaybird]

Good news, I took the car back to the dealer to get a few things adjusted and mentioned the front tires rubbing. He's taking it to the local tire shop that installed the tires to put the 225/35/19's on. Lets see if it really happens. Thanks Deserion!