The 1989 Ferrari 348 TS arrived at an important moment for Ferrari, carrying late-1980s exotic-car styling and a more modern, performance-focused chassis layout than many earlier road cars from Maranello. Its tire fitment reflects that transition as well, using a staggered radial setup with 215/50R17 in front and 255/45R17 in the rear on 17-inch wheels. That makes this page less about choosing between old sizing systems and more about matching the front and rear positions correctly while comparing available brands, tire series, and sidewall treatments. For a road-driven or preservation-minded 348 TS, correct staggered fitment and wheel compatibility come first.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Ferrari 348 TS
The 1989 Ferrari 348 TS uses two primary tire sizes, both in radial construction on 17-inch wheels. The key step is identifying position, because 215/50R17 is the front size and 255/45R17 is the rear size. Once that staggered setup is confirmed, the real choice becomes comparing tire series, brand options, sidewall presentation, and wheel-width compatibility within each size.
215/50R17 is a metric radial size in which 215 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS, this size serves the front position and supports the car's staggered tire arrangement. Available choices in this size come from BFGoodrich across the g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A series, all with blackwall styling. This is the size to evaluate when the goal is preserving the proper front tire fitment while comparing modern performance-oriented radial options.
255/45R17 is a metric radial size where 255 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 17 designates the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS, this is the rear tire size and it works with the wider back wheel position in the factory staggered layout. Choices in this size include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac options, with blackwall, redline, and raised white letter sidewall treatments available across multiple tire series. This is the size to focus on when matching rear-wheel width and deciding how modern or traditional the car should look from behind.
Fitment on the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS is straightforward once position is confirmed, because the covered front and rear sub-model entries each use their own dedicated size. Checking the exact front or rear application matters more than trim differentiation, since the car relies on a staggered setup rather than a square one.
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1989 Ferrari 348 TS Base Front
The 1989 Ferrari 348 TS Base Front uses the smaller front tire fitment in radial construction on a 17-inch rim. Tire selection here centers on maintaining the proper front position size while comparing available blackwall performance series and confirming wheel-width compatibility.
The 1989 Ferrari 348 TS Base Rear uses the wider rear tire fitment in radial construction on a 17-inch rim. That makes rear tire selection more about matching the staggered layout correctly and choosing between blackwall, redline, or raised white letter presentation where those styles suit the car's intended look.
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 1989 Ferrari 348 TS Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Ferrari 348 TS tire choices center on 17-inch radial fitments from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. The front size stays focused on blackwall performance series, while the rear size adds broader brand variety and sidewall choices including blackwall, redline, and raised white letter.
These FAQs focus on the staggered front-and-rear tire setup used on the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS, along with rim fitment, product selection, sidewall choices, and practical checks before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Ferrari 348 TS?
The 1989 Ferrari 348 TS uses a staggered tire setup with 215/50R17 on the front and 255/45R17 on the rear. Both are radial tire sizes mounted on 17-inch wheels, so this car does not use the same size at all four corners.
That front-to-rear difference is the first thing to verify before choosing tires. A buyer should confirm whether the tire is for the front or rear position, then compare the actual wheel width and the car's current setup, especially if it has been changed from stock over the years.
What size rim does a 1989 Ferrari 348 TS use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS is built around 17-inch rims. Both the 215/50R17 front size and the 255/45R17 rear size share that same rim diameter, even though the tire widths and profiles differ between the front and rear positions.
Rim diameter alone is only part of the fitment picture on a staggered car like this one. The next step is checking wheel width at each end, because the front and rear tires have different approved rim-width ranges and should be matched to the correct wheel position.
Why does the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS have more than one tire size?
The 1989 Ferrari 348 TS uses more than one tire size because it has a staggered setup, with a narrower 215/50R17 front tire and a wider 255/45R17 rear tire. That arrangement is part of the car's intended wheel-and-tire layout rather than an alternate trim-level fitment.
For tire selection, that means the question is not which single size fits the whole car. The important task is keeping the correct size at each axle position and making sure replacement tires still suit the wheel dimensions and available clearance on the individual car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 215/50R17 and 255/45R17 tire set for a 1989 Ferrari 348 TS?
Start with the staggered fitment itself, because the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS needs 215/50R17 tires in front and 255/45R17 tires in the rear. Both sizes are radial, so the next decisions involve wheel-width compatibility, tire series, sidewall style where available, and how the car will actually be used.
A front-and-rear set should be selected with the whole package in mind rather than as two unrelated purchases. Matching the proper size to each wheel position, checking the car for any aftermarket wheel changes, and comparing product construction details will help keep the tire choice consistent with the car's setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Ferrari 348 TS tires?
Sidewall style depends on tire size for the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS. The 215/50R17 front options are offered in blackwall form, while the 255/45R17 rear size is available in blackwall as well as redline and raised white letter styles.
That matters because sidewall appearance can change the visual character of the car, especially on the rear where the wider tire is more prominent. Buyers trying to keep a restrained modern-exotic look may stay with blackwalls, while others may consider a more distinctive rear-sidewall presentation.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS?
Tire options for the 1989 Ferrari 348 TS include BFGoodrich in both front and rear sizes, with Nitto and Pro-Trac also available in the 255/45R17 rear fitment. Product selection also varies by tire series, so the brand choice is tied closely to the specific size and position on the car.
That means a buyer should compare options by axle position rather than assuming every brand is available in both sizes. Looking at brand alongside sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width suitability gives a clearer picture than choosing by name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Ferrari 348 TS?
A period-style 1989 Ferrari 348 TS should begin with the correct staggered sizing: 215/50R17 front and 255/45R17 rear. Since this is already a late-1980s radial-fitment car, the main appearance decision usually comes from tire series and sidewall treatment rather than choosing between older bias-ply and modern radial construction.
Blackwall tires generally maintain the cleanest late-1980s exotic presentation, while some rear options introduce redline or raised white letter styling for a more customized look. If exact historical presentation matters, compare the tire's visual profile against marque references and the car's intended restoration standard before deciding.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1989 Ferrari 348 TS restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1989 Ferrari 348 TS because the car uses a defined front-and-rear staggered arrangement rather than one universal size. Keeping the proper 215/50R17 front and 255/45R17 rear relationship helps preserve the car's intended stance, wheel fill, and overall visual balance.
Restoration-minded buyers should look beyond tread alone and consider sidewall appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the car still carries its original wheel setup. A tire that is close in spirit but mismatched in position can alter both the look of the car and the logic of the original fitment layout.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ferrari 348 TS?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ferrari 348 TS even when the tire sizes themselves look correct. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or bodywork differences can all change how a 215/50R17 front or 255/45R17 rear tire sits within the wheel opening.
That is why the actual car should be checked before replacing tires on assumption alone. Wheel width, offset, inner clearance, and fender clearance all matter on a staggered setup, particularly on a low exotic car where small changes can have a noticeable effect on fit.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Ferrari 348 TS on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Ferrari 348 TS on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the front and rear tires were mounted in the correct positions, and check inflation, valve condition, and basic clearance at steering lock. It is also worth looking at suspension and alignment condition if the car has been sitting.
A collector car can have more than one issue at once, and fresh tires do not correct worn chassis parts or old wheel problems. A cautious first road test should include attention to vibration, pulling, rubbing, and air loss so any fitment or condition issue is caught early.
How should 215/50R17 and 255/45R17 tires on a collector 1989 Ferrari 348 TS be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Ferrari 348 TS should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and periodic confirmation that the front and rear tires remain in the correct staggered positions. Low-use cars still need routine tire attention even when tread wear is minimal.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on an infrequently driven Ferrari. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, and occasional inspection before every drive is a sensible habit for a performance car that may spend long stretches parked.
