tire size - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Yoslack · 06-02-2003, 11:29 PM

What is the stock tire size for the 17 inch rims? Curious cause I bought the car used and the tires on them are 225/50/17 but when I look in tire rack or discount tire it doesnt show that size as being original equipment so I was wondering if the guy bought the wrong size tires. I need a new set and not sure what size to buy

Yoslack · 06-02-2003, 11:31 PM

I have a 1998 boxster

Tool Pants · 06-03-2003, 11:39 AM

Former owner went a bit wider. Front oem is 205/50/17 and rear is 255/40/17. Jeff

Yoslack · 06-03-2003, 09:10 PM

cool but 225/50/17 were for the rears not the front

Bikini · 06-18-2003, 08:05 AM

I just bought a preleased 2001 S with 17's. The previous guy has front: 225's and rear 255's. I've noticed the same problem though. On tire rack it shows 205 for OEM fronts. I also walked around the dealer lot and noticed a few 225's on the front. I'd like to know the answer myself.

Supamatt · 06-21-2003, 10:56 AM

Mine came with 205/50/17 front, 255/40/17 rear. I upgraded the fronts to 225/45/17 and kept the rears the same size.

CJ_Boxster · 03-26-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supamatt

Mine came with 205/50/17 front, 255/40/17 rear. I upgraded the fronts to 225/45/17 and kept the rears the same size.

I have a question for this old thread, what would be the benefits with changing the OEM tire size from 205/50/17 into 225/45/17? Jim could you help me?

Boxtaboy · 03-26-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ_Boxster

I have a question for this old thread, what would be the benefits with changing the OEM tire size from 205/50/17 into 225/45/17? Jim could you help me?

Upsizing to the 225/45 fronts would essentially reduce the understeer, and thus give you more balanced handling. Porsche built in a lot of understeer with the 205 front to 255 rear stagger, most likely, so that novice drivers don't swap ends (rear end coming around) in tight corners. If you put on a wider front (225), then you reduce this tendency to have the front end push on corners. I recently made the switch up to 225s up front myself, and like the result. Hope that helps.

CJ_Boxster · 03-26-2007, 05:02 PM

Helps alot, thanks, I believe i shall make the upgrade as well!

racer_d · 03-26-2007, 06:44 PM

OEM sizes are:

16" used 205/225 on 6 and 7" widths, front and rear respectively
17" used 205/255 on 7 and 8.5" widths, front and rear respectively
18" used 225/265 on 7.5 and 9" widths, front and rear respectively

As mentioned, the reason folks run 225 on the fronts (17") is to reduce understeer.