Porsche 928 Tires

Porsche 928 fitments span six sizes across the production run: 215/60R15 for 1978-1983, 225/50R15 for 1978-1982, 225/50R16 for 1984-1991, 245/45R16 for 1987-1991, 225/45R17 for 1993-1995, and 255/40R17 for 1993-1995. The corresponding rim diameters are 15 inches for the two early sizes, 16 inches for the mid-run pair, and 17 inches for the final pair. Several years use two sizes in the same model year, which indicates the need to match the specific wheel and axle application rather than relying on model name alone.

The practical way to sort a Porsche 928 is to identify its production year, then confirm the wheel diameter actually fitted to the car, and then verify whether the car uses the same size all around or a staggered arrangement. Early cars stay within the 15-inch family, mid-run cars move to 16-inch wheels, and the final years move to 17-inch wheels. If the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with later wheels, the installed wheel set should take priority over assumptions tied only to the VIN year.

A 1978 Porsche 928 has two listed sizes because that year uses both 215/60R15 and 225/50R15, and both are built for 15-inch rims. That kind of split does not reflect a wheel-diameter change, since both sizes remain on the same 15-inch platform. It points instead to a configuration difference within the year, where one 1978 Porsche 928 may not use the same tire specification as another.

The best next step is to inspect the tires currently on the car, confirm the wheel width if known, and compare against factory literature or a Porsche marque specialist familiar with early 928 configurations. A buyer should not assume that any 1978 Porsche 928 can interchange those two sizes freely. Matching the exact setup on the car preserves proper appearance and proportion and avoids purchasing a tire that suits the year generally but not the specific configuration.

Porsche 928 uses three rim diameters across the years covered here: 15-inch wheels from 1978 through 1983, 16-inch wheels from 1984 through 1991, and 17-inch wheels from 1993 through 1995. The first major change happens in 1984, when the model moves from 15-inch to 16-inch fitments. A second change appears in 1993, when the listed sizes move again to 17-inch wheels.

That wheel-diameter progression is the most important fitment checkpoint on a Porsche 928 page because no tire size can be selected correctly until the wheel diameter is confirmed. A 15-inch tire cannot substitute for a 16-inch wheel, and a 16-inch tire cannot mount on a 17-inch wheel even if the section width looks similar. Cars that have lived through decades of ownership may carry different wheels than they left the factory with, so checking the wheel itself is more reliable than assuming by year alone.

A 1989 Porsche 928 falls in the 16-inch wheel period and has two listed sizes: 225/50R16 and 245/45R16. That means the correct choice depends on the specific wheel and axle arrangement fitted to the car rather than the year alone. Both sizes belong to the same model year, but they serve different positions or configurations within that 1989 Porsche 928 range.

Start by checking the existing tire sidewalls and wheel markings, then verify whether the car has a staggered setup with different front and rear widths. If the car wears matching sizes at all four corners because of a later change, compare that setup carefully against original references before replacing anything. Using the year listing as a guide is helpful, but the final decision should come from the exact wheel package on the individual Porsche 928 in front of you.

Porsche 928 tires in the available product range include blackwall, RWL, redline, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall appears across all three wheel eras, while RWL and redline are offered in certain 15-inch and 17-inch fitments, and wide whitewall appears in the 215/60R15 size. That gives Porsche 928 owners a mix of period-inspired appearance choices and more understated performance-oriented looks.

For many Porsche 928 restorations and driver-level cars, blackwall is the most natural visual fit, especially on later 16-inch and 17-inch applications where the wheel-and-tire package has a more contemporary performance character. Redline or RWL can appeal to owners building a personalized presentation, while the wide whitewall option is more of a specialty styling choice. Sidewall appearance should always be chosen after the correct size and wheel diameter are settled, since the visual treatment does not change the underlying fitment requirements.

Porsche 928 tires in the available range come from American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, Michelin, Nitto, Pro-Trac, and Vredestein. Brand coverage varies by size, with the early 215/60R15 fitment showing the broadest mix, while other sizes are served by more focused performance-oriented offerings. The 16-inch and 17-inch applications lean heavily toward blackwall radial products with modern performance styling.

Brand choice on a Porsche 928 usually comes down to the balance between appearance, intended road use, and the exact size required for the car’s wheel package. An owner preserving an early visual character may gravitate toward a classic-looking sidewall treatment, while later cars often suit contemporary blackwall performance radials better. Once the correct size is locked in, compare the available brands within that specific fitment rather than assuming every Porsche 928 size has the same brand selection.

Porsche 928 tire offerings span several distinct series, including Asymmetrical Tread, Radial T/A, Sport Classic, CR6ZZ, Sprint Classic, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Comp 2 AS, Michelin Pilot Sport, Nitto NT555 G2, g-Force Phenom T/A, Street Pro III, and Sprint Plus. Some series lean toward classic visual presentation, while others are clearly performance-oriented radial designs intended for later wheel and tire packages. The available series also vary by wheel diameter, so a 15-inch early car and a 17-inch late car do not share the same selection profile.

For a Porsche 928 owner, series choice should follow fitment first and intended use second. A touring-minded car may benefit from a classic-style radial option that complements the period look, while a later 17-inch 928 often points toward more modern performance series. The useful comparison is not which series is universally best, but which series is offered in the car’s exact size and supports the way that particular Porsche 928 will be driven and presented.

A Porsche 928 should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large swings in temperature. Tire pressures should be kept at the level appropriate for the tire and vehicle application, and the car should not sit for long periods with obviously underinflated tires. Long stationary storage can create flat spotting or sidewall stress, especially on lower-profile later 16-inch and 17-inch Porsche 928 fitments.

If a Porsche 928 will be parked for extended periods, roll it periodically or use storage practices that reduce constant load on one spot of the tread. Keep petroleum products and solvents away from the rubber, and inspect for cracking, bulges, or uneven shape before returning the car to service. Collector cars often age their tires by time and environment more than by mileage, so good storage habits matter almost as much as careful driving.

Tires on a Porsche 928 should be inspected before each meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular service intervals. A proper inspection includes checking inflation, tread wear, sidewall condition, and any signs of aging or impact damage. Because Porsche 928 fitments can be staggered in some years, each axle should be reviewed separately so that front and rear wear patterns are not assumed to be the same.

Regular inspection is especially important on collector-driven Porsche 928 cars that may sit for long periods between outings. Tires that look acceptable at a glance can still show age cracking, internal deterioration, or uneven wear caused by alignment or suspension issues. Catching those problems early protects the wheels, improves road manners, and helps the owner avoid replacing a matched set simply because one neglected tire was allowed to deteriorate too far.

Tires on a Porsche 928 should be replaced when they show age cracking, sidewall checking, bulges, vibration that cannot be traced elsewhere, or any other sign that the casing is deteriorating, even if the tread still looks deep. Low-mile collector use often leaves plenty of tread on an old tire, but age can make the tire unfit for road use long before the rubber is worn out. A Porsche 928 that has spent years parked is a prime candidate for age-based replacement rather than mileage-based replacement.

The practical rule is to treat condition and age as seriously as tread depth, particularly on a high-speed grand touring car like the Porsche 928. If the service history is unclear, a close inspection by a knowledgeable tire professional is a wise step before any sustained driving. Replacement is also the right move when an old set no longer matches the car’s actual wheel configuration, since proper size and sound construction matter more than squeezing a little more use from aging rubber.

Porsche 928 originally used size ranges that changed over time, beginning with 15-inch metric radial fitments, moving to 16-inch sizes in the mid-1980s, and then to 17-inch sizes in the final years covered here. The available product range includes several radial series rather than a single universal period type. Because the 928 evolved through multiple wheel and tire packages, original-equipment correctness depends on the exact year and configuration of the individual Porsche 928.

For restoration work, the most accurate path is to confirm the car’s original wheel and tire specification through factory literature, surviving labels, and Porsche marque resources, then select the closest available tire in the correct size and visual style. That matters more on a Porsche 928 than on a single-specification model because the fitment changed noticeably across the years. Getting the diameter, width relationship, and sidewall presentation right has a strong effect on the finished stance of the car.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the visual credibility and the judged presentation of a Porsche 928, especially when the car is being evaluated as a restoration rather than simply driven as a hobby vehicle. The right diameter, section width, and sidewall style help the car sit properly and preserve the character of its production period. On a model like the Porsche 928, where wheel diameters changed over time, the wrong tire family can stand out immediately.

Owners concerned with value or show presentation should match the tire size to the proper wheel era first, then choose a sidewall style that suits the year and restoration goal. Marque clubs and knowledgeable Porsche judges are often the best reference for how strict a given event will be about details such as sidewall appearance or later performance substitutions. Even outside concours judging, correct-looking tires contribute significantly to how authentic a Porsche 928 feels in person.

Porsche 928 tire options include blackwall, RWL, redline, and wide whitewall, but the most restoration-minded choice will depend on the year, wheel package, and the visual target for the car. Blackwall is available across the model’s wheel eras and generally aligns most naturally with the 928’s grand touring and performance-oriented character. RWL and redline are specialty appearance choices in certain sizes, while wide whitewall appears only in an early 15-inch offering.

A careful restoration should treat sidewall style as a finishing detail after size correctness is settled. An early Porsche 928 can sometimes support a more individualized period look, but later 16-inch and 17-inch cars usually present most authentically with a restrained blackwall appearance. If the car is being prepared for marque judging, compare the intended sidewall style against period photography, factory references, and the expectations of the Porsche community before making the final choice.

The available Porsche 928 tires are modern radial products in the listed fitments, which makes them suitable in principle for public-road use when the tire size matches the wheel correctly and the tire is in sound condition. Safety depends on more than the size code alone, because an incorrectly matched staggered setup or an aged tire can undermine how the car performs. Porsche 928 road use demands a tire that is properly sized, properly inflated, and free of age-related defects.

Before driving, confirm that the tire size corresponds to the installed wheel diameter and that front and rear sizes are positioned correctly on cars using paired fitments. A collector car that has sat for long periods should also have its brakes, suspension, and alignment reviewed, since tire behavior reflects the condition of the whole chassis. Even the right tire cannot compensate for a neglected grand touring car that has been dormant for years.

Before driving a Porsche 928, check tire pressures, sidewall condition, tread condition, and the exact sizes mounted on the car. That check is especially important on 1987-1991 and 1993-1995 cars, where paired sizes may be used and front-to-rear placement matters. The wheel diameter should also be confirmed visually if there is any doubt about whether the car remains on its original wheel family.

A good pre-drive routine for a Porsche 928 also includes looking for flat spotting from storage, vibration on the first miles, and any sign that the car has mismatched tires from prior ownership. If the steering feels unsettled or the car tracks oddly, stop and inspect rather than assuming it will clear up with use. These cars reward careful preparation, and tire verification is one of the quickest ways to avoid preventable road issues.

A Porsche 928 should only be driven at speeds appropriate to the age, condition, and specification of the tires actually fitted, not merely to the capability of the car itself. Many 928s today are collector vehicles, and an older tire or a tire of uncertain history should be treated conservatively even if the tread looks good. The car’s grand touring reputation can tempt owners to assume effortless high-speed use, but tire condition has to set the limit.

If the Porsche 928 is wearing fresh, properly sized modern radials in good condition, road speeds should still be approached with the judgment appropriate to a classic performance car and the surrounding traffic and road surface. If the tires are aged, newly acquired with unknown history, or have been sitting for years, keep speeds modest until the whole car has been evaluated. The responsible approach is to let inspection and condition determine pace, not nostalgia for the car’s period performance image.