Hey guys,
I just picked up an 01 Turbo, which is just amazing. However, the p-zeros are absolutely shot (235/35/19 in the front and 295/30/19 in the rear). I'm trying to decide whether to keep my current wheels and fit all new shoes, or go with something a little more "conventional." Obviously, I don't want to pop for new tires if I should really go with a different set up.

The current wheels are 19-inch Maya RT5's, with black centers and a nice chrome lip. They are 8.5 up front (57 offset), and 11 in the rear (47 offset). The car is also fitted with H&R spacers (look to be 15 or 14 mm) in the rear, and 7mm spacers up front. I actually really like the way the wheels look, but I want to make sure they are appropriate for the car. The problem is that when I take a fast corner that has a substantial dip or bump, about twice I've heard the wheel hit the wheel well as the suspension compresses.

Is it that this tire/wheel combo is not right for the car, or is it just that it is too aggressive with the spacers? I know very little about aftermarket wheel fittment, sizes, etc... (I've always just had stock wheels on my prior boxsters and carreras). Any input or advice would be great (and I'll be sure to post up some pictures soon!)

 

It is very important to change the tires before you cause damage to the front differential. On your car we typically use Michelin Pilot Sport 2 235/35 19 and 315/25 19.

 

Thank you for that input. There is a significant wobble at highway speeds...I hope the p.o did not drive the car in this condition for too long.

So I can go as wide as a 315 on 11 inch rears (I really am clueless in this area). Thanks!

 

315 in the rear is the correct fitment. The rubbing can be a result of wrong suspension and alignment set up or you might just need to roll fenders. What kind of suspension?

 

Yes 315/25 19 will work on 11x19" rear wheels if the offset is correct. You may need to adjust the spacers that you are using.

 

I believe the suspension is stock, although I did notice that there really is not much space at all between the fender arch and the tire (about 1 1/2 fingers).

I just called discount tire to see what they suggest, and this guy seems to think that the 235/35/19 size is all wrong for this car based on its load rating????

 

The 997 models that come from Porsche with 19" come stock with 235/35 19.

 

if im running 295-30-19 in the back, what should i be running up front?

 

Do not use 295/30 19 as it will cause the front differential to overheat. The front tire to match would be too tall and rub the fender and fender liner. Use 235/35 19 and 315/25 19 only.

 

O.k. this sounds screwy to me. I just spent an hour at discount tire and they would not sell me ANY 19-inch tire intended for the front of an 01 Turbo. They claimed that no 19-inch tire on the market that would fit my car (assuming 19 inch rims with an 8.5-inch width) has a sufficient load rating. He said he was aware that many folks run 19's on early turbos, but that they could not sell or even service a front tire on 19-inch wheels for liablity reasons (he said the load rating was not even close!). He said the load rating for 19-inch rear tires are fine, but the front is where the problem is. He commented that I ought to try a non-national chain and see if they would sell me the front tires in 235/35/19.

 

Alan, would the aspect ration difference be too much with this set up? What do you think about what the Discount tire folk told me?

I'm about ready to see if anyone wants to swap some maya's for stockers!

 

Scott, yes the diameter difference is too great between 235/35 19 and 295/30 19. The people at Discount Tire are mistaken.

 

Damn. The prior owner of my car was running this setup for about 20k miles. Do you think the front diff is doomed to failure now? Or is there a chance not much damage has occurred?

 

I am checking with a couple Porsche Techs to see what the best preventative maintenance would be.

 

Wow. That is super nice of you! If you're ever in Phoenix, I'll have to treat you to lunch!