The 1987 Porsche 944 sits in the heart of Porsche’s transaxle era, a period when balance, road manners, and usable performance defined the car as much as outright speed. That matters when choosing tires, because this model uses three radial sizes depending on configuration: 215/60R15 for the Base and 944 S, with the 944 Turbo using a staggered 16-inch setup of 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear. Available choices range from traditional-looking whitewall and redline radials to sport-oriented blackwall performance tires from several well-known brands. The right selection depends on whether the goal is original-looking presentation, modern road use, or preserving the Turbo’s front-to-rear fitment balance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Porsche 944
Three tire sizes apply to the 1987 Porsche 944, and the correct one depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. The Base and 944 S use a 15-inch radial tire, while the 944 Turbo uses a staggered 16-inch radial setup with one size for the front and a different size for the rear. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is a Base, S, or Turbo and verify the wheel size currently on the car.
215/60R15 is a metric radial size in which 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Porsche 944, this is the primary size for the Base and 944 S, making it the key fitment for standard 15-inch wheel cars. Available choices include American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein, with sidewall treatments such as blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter. This size is where the decision shifts from fitment to appearance, tire series, and intended driving character.
205/55R16 is a metric radial size that denotes a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 55-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim. On the 1987 Porsche 944, this size serves the front position on the 944 Turbo, so it is part of a staggered setup rather than a stand-alone all-around fitment. Product choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic, with blackwall options dominating and one wide whitewall radial also available. This is the right size to evaluate when keeping the Turbo’s front fitment and steering balance in line with its original wheel arrangement.
225/50R16 is a metric radial size where 225 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 16 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1987 Porsche 944, this size is used at the rear of the 944 Turbo and works as the wider half of the car’s staggered tire combination. Available choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin in blackwall performance-oriented radial lines. This size should be chosen only after confirming a Turbo rear-wheel setup, since its role is tied to the car’s rear fitment rather than every 944 configuration.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Porsche 944 because tire sizing is not the same across the lineup. Base and 944 S models share one 15-inch radial size, while the 944 Turbo uses a staggered 16-inch front-and-rear combination that must be matched to position as well as model.
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1987 Porsche 944 Base
The 1987 Porsche 944 Base uses a single 215/60R15 radial tire size on 15-inch wheels. Tire selection for this sub-model is mostly about choosing the right brand, series, and sidewall appearance while keeping the car on its intended wheel diameter.
The 1987 Porsche 944 S also uses the 215/60R15 radial size, matching the Base model’s primary fitment. That makes the choice more straightforward, with attention shifting to whether the tire should look more restoration-oriented or more performance-focused for regular road use.
The 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo uses 205/55R16 at the front, making front tire fitment specific to the Turbo’s staggered setup. Tire selection here should preserve the proper front size relationship rather than treating the car like a square four-tire 944 configuration.
The 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo uses 225/50R16 at the rear, paired with a different front size on the same model. Rear tire selection should be made with the complete staggered arrangement in mind, especially if the car has had wheel, suspension, or ride-height changes over time.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1987 Porsche 944 Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Porsche 944 tires span 15-inch and 16-inch radial fitments from American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, Vredestein, and Michelin. Choices vary by tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility, from wide whitewall and redline presentation to blackwall performance-oriented radials.
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Radial Tires
American Classic Radial | 2 Inch Whitewall | 215/60R15
Common 1987 Porsche 944 tire questions usually come down to identifying the correct sub-model, confirming 15-inch versus 16-inch wheel fitment, and choosing between period-style appearance and more performance-focused radial options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Porsche 944?
The 1987 Porsche 944 uses three tire sizes depending on sub-model. The Base and 944 S use 215/60R15, while the 944 Turbo uses a staggered setup with 205/55R16 on the front and 225/50R16 on the rear. All of these are radial tire sizes.
The key step is identifying whether the car is a Base, S, or Turbo, then confirming the wheel diameter currently on the car. A 15-inch 944 and a 16-inch Turbo do not use the same tire package, and the Turbo’s front and rear sizes should not be treated as a universal four-corner fitment without checking the actual wheel setup.
What size rim does a 1987 Porsche 944 use?
A 1987 Porsche 944 uses either 15-inch or 16-inch rims depending on sub-model and tire size. The Base and 944 S use a 15-inch rim with 215/60R15 tires, while the 944 Turbo uses 16-inch rims with 205/55R16 front tires and 225/50R16 rear tires.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before ordering tires, especially on cars that may have been changed over the years. Looking only at the model name is not enough if a previous owner swapped wheels, because the correct tire size begins with matching the tire to the wheel diameter actually installed on the car.
Do all 1987 Porsche 944 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1987 Porsche 944 Base and 944 S share the 215/60R15 radial size, but the 944 Turbo uses two different 16-inch radial sizes: 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. That means tire fitment varies across the lineup rather than staying uniform.
This matters because a buyer cannot select tires for a 1987 944 by year and model alone. The sub-model changes both wheel diameter and, in the Turbo’s case, front-to-rear sizing, so checking the exact version of the car and verifying wheel position are both important before choosing a tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 215/60R15 tire for a 1987 Porsche 944?
For a 1987 Porsche 944 Base or 944 S, the first consideration is staying with the correct 215/60R15 radial size on a 15-inch wheel. After that, the meaningful differences are brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and the wheel-width range each product is designed to work with.
Some 215/60R15 options lean toward traditional appearance, including wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles, while others present a more understated blackwall performance look. Matching the tire to the car’s use matters too, so it helps to decide whether the car is being preserved for shows, weekend touring, or more spirited road driving.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Porsche 944 tires?
Sidewall choices for 1987 Porsche 944 tires include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter depending on size and product line. The widest appearance variety shows up in 215/60R15, while the 16-inch Turbo sizes are centered more heavily on blackwall performance-style tires.
Sidewall style can change the visual character of the car even when the tire size stays correct. A whitewall or redline can create a more custom or period-inspired presentation, while blackwall keeps a cleaner sport look, so the right choice depends on how closely the tire’s appearance should match the rest of the car’s finish and trim.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Porsche 944?
Tires for the 1987 Porsche 944 are available from American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, Vredestein, and Michelin across the applicable 15-inch and 16-inch sizes. Brand availability varies by size, so the widest mix of choices appears in 215/60R15 rather than in every Turbo front or rear fitment.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It is more useful to compare the tire’s size, intended wheel-width range, sidewall style, and series character against the exact 944 configuration, because a Base or 944 S buyer often has different priorities from someone maintaining the Turbo’s staggered front-and-rear setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Porsche 944?
A period-style 1987 Porsche 944 tire choice starts with the correct fitment for the exact sub-model: 215/60R15 for the Base and 944 S, or the 944 Turbo’s staggered 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear setup. From there, the most appearance-sensitive decisions involve sidewall treatment and overall tire presentation rather than changing sizes.
For a more restoration-oriented look, many owners focus on whether the car should wear a restrained blackwall or a more distinctive sidewall treatment such as redline, whitewall, or raised white letter where available. If exact originality matters, the final appearance choice should also be checked against marque references and the specific way the car is being restored.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Porsche 944?
On a 1987 Porsche 944, tire construction is straightforward because the applicable primary fitments are radial sizes throughout the lineup. That means appearance differences come less from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction, and more from the tire series, tread presentation, and sidewall style offered within the correct radial size.
A blackwall radial usually gives the 944 a cleaner sport-oriented look, while whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options can shift the car toward a more individualized period-style presentation. On the Turbo, keeping the proper front and rear sizes also affects stance and visual balance, so appearance and fitment should be considered together rather than separately.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Porsche 944?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Porsche 944 even when the tire size itself is one of the standard sizes for the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, offset changes, suspension lowering, and body or fender work can all change how much room a tire has in actual service.
That matters most on the 944 Turbo because the car already uses different front and rear sizes, so any wheel change can alter the intended relationship between the two ends of the car. A modified 944 should be checked for wheel diameter, width, clearance at full steering lock, and suspension travel before committing to a tire choice.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Porsche 944 on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Porsche 944 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and verify that front and rear placement is correct on a Turbo. Tire pressure should be set properly, and the valve stems, lug hardware, and general condition of the suspension and steering should be checked as well.
A short initial road test helps confirm there is no rubbing, vibration, or unusual steering behavior. It also makes sense to recheck pressure and look for any signs of contact after the first few miles, especially if the car has been sitting, has older wheels, or has had any previous wheel or suspension changes.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Porsche 944 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Porsche 944 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread depth. Even a low-mileage car can develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or general age-related deterioration if it spends long periods parked or stored.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, while periodic movement helps avoid long-term stress in one spot. Any 944 that has been parked for an extended period deserves a careful tire inspection before returning to regular road use.
