944 S2 alloys

[Mark Conway]

Hi piston heads!

I am thinking of buying the following 18 inch alloys

Front wheels: 8J x 18H2 - ET57
Rear wheels: 9J x 18H2 - ET43
Front tyres: Pirelli Snowsport 235/40 R18 91V N0
Rear tyres: Pirelli Snowsport 255/40 R18 95V N0

I would be grateful for some advice.

Would I be able to fit these straight on?
Would I need spacers?
The rear profile is 40, would I need 35 tyres instead?

Any other help would be appreciated

[rallycross]

I would avoid putting 18" wheels on a 944 (have owned a few) they were never designed for such large wheels, one of the great things about a 944 is the compliant ride which will suffer from running such low profile tyres, it was also sit too high which may need the rear torsion bar re-indexed which might be seized, and you may also then have some rubbing in the arch.

My last 944 had 300 bhp but it never needed 18" wheels!

[Mark Conway]

rallycross said:

I would avoid putting 18" wheels on a 944 (have owned a few) they were never designed for such large wheels, one of the great things about a 944 is the compliant ride which will suffer from running such low profile tyres, it was also sit too high which may need the rear torsion bar re-indexed which might be seized, and you may also then have some rubbing in the arch.

My last 944 had 300 bhp but it never needed 18" wheels!

I really appreciate your thoughts . There seems to be a hugely spread of opinions with some having 18s and loving them, and some who have very strong arguments against.

My 944 is only for evening and weekends and I have read and heard many people say that 18s have been fine. However I do understand the drive quality will drop.

I just really like the look of the 944 with 18s. I currently have 17s and although it looks ok, it just doesn't give me the wow factor. I know the 18s will! And as I will hardly be driving it I really think 18s are for me... That being said I may end up changing back but at this moment in time I really just need to understand if these wheels will fit... Or what I will need to do to make them fit?

[rallycross]

worth asking on the 944 forum if you have not already (lots of good advice on there)

http://forums.tipec.net/viewforum.php?f=25

[Mark Conway]

rallycross said:

worth asking on the 944 forum if you have not already (lots of good advice on there)

http://forums.tipec.net/viewforum.php?f=25

Thanks . I haven't. But will!