The 1989 Porsche 928 sits in the later, highly developed phase of Porsche’s front-engine grand touring lineage, blending V8 performance with long-distance composure in a distinctly late-1980s package. On this car, tire fitment is tied directly to the staggered setup used by the S4 and S4 Clubsport, with 225/50R16 at the front and 245/45R16 at the rear, both in radial construction on 16-inch rims. Current choices in the front size include BFGoodrich and Michelin blackwall performance radials across different series. The key is matching the correct front or rear position first, then choosing a tire that suits the car’s road use, wheel setup, and overall presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Porsche 928
The 1989 Porsche 928 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is positional rather than optional. Both sizes are radial tires on 16-inch rims, with 225/50R16 used at the front and 245/45R16 used at the rear on the covered S4 and S4 Clubsport configurations. The first step is confirming whether you are replacing a front tire or a rear tire, then comparing the available tire choices within that exact size.
225/50R16 is a metric radial size in which 225 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1989 Porsche 928, this size is used at the front of the covered S4 and S4 Clubsport setups, where maintaining the correct front fitment matters to the car’s staggered tire layout. Available choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin blackwall tires in performance-oriented series. This is the size to evaluate when replacing front tires and comparing brand, series, rim-width compatibility, and road-use priorities.
245/45R16 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 45-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 1989 Porsche 928, this size is used at the rear of the covered S4 and S4 Clubsport configurations, making it the companion to the narrower 225/50R16 front tire in the car’s staggered arrangement. The practical role of this size is rear-axle fitment rather than a universal four-corner replacement. Rear tire selection should be matched carefully to the wheel position, existing wheel dimensions, and any changes from the original wheel and suspension setup.
Sub-model fitment on the 1989 Porsche 928 is straightforward once the tire position is identified. The covered S4 and S4 Clubsport configurations share the same staggered 16-inch radial layout, so the main distinction is front versus rear rather than a different overall size package between sub-models.
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1989 Porsche 928 S4 Clubsport Front
The 1989 Porsche 928 S4 Clubsport Front uses the 225/50R16 radial size on a 16-inch rim. Front tire selection should stay focused on the correct front-position fitment, then compare available blackwall performance tires by brand, series, and wheel-compatibility details.
The 1989 Porsche 928 S4 Clubsport Rear uses the wider 245/45R16 radial size on a 16-inch rim. That makes rear-position confirmation essential before ordering, especially on cars that may have seen wheel changes or other modifications over time.
The 1989 Porsche 928 S4 Front uses 225/50R16 radial tires. For front replacement, the decision is less about multiple fitment sizes and more about choosing the right tire series and brand for the car’s intended street use and wheel setup.
The 1989 Porsche 928 S4 Rear uses 245/45R16 radial tires. Rear replacement should be handled as a position-specific fitment choice, with attention to matching the rear wheel and preserving the staggered arrangement used on this configuration.
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 Porsche 928 Tires for Sale
Available 225/50R16 choices for the 1989 Porsche 928 include BFGoodrich and Michelin blackwall radials in several performance-oriented series. The product grid is most useful for comparing brand, tire series, weight, and rim-width compatibility within the correct front tire size.
These FAQs focus on the 1989 Porsche 928’s staggered tire sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, front-versus-rear replacement, available product choices, and the basic checks that matter before putting a grand touring Porsche back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Porsche 928?
The 1989 Porsche 928 uses a staggered radial tire setup with 225/50R16 at the front and 245/45R16 at the rear on the covered S4 and S4 Clubsport configurations. Both sizes fit 16-inch rims, and they serve different wheel positions rather than acting as interchangeable choices for all four corners.
That means the most important step is confirming whether you need a front tire or a rear tire before selecting a replacement. If the car has aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or a mixed set from an earlier owner, verify the actual wheel and tire setup on the car instead of assuming every 1989 Porsche 928 is configured the same way.
What size rim does a 1989 Porsche 928 use?
The covered 1989 Porsche 928 fitments use 16-inch rims with radial tires. The front size is 225/50R16 and the rear size is 245/45R16, so the rim diameter remains the same while the tire width and profile differ between the front and rear positions.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a staggered car like the 928. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing available tires, so it helps to confirm the actual front and rear wheel dimensions before replacing tires, particularly on cars that may no longer be wearing their original-style wheels.
Do all 1989 Porsche 928 sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1989 Porsche 928 S4 and S4 Clubsport configurations share the same overall tire arrangement, but not the same size at every corner. Both use 225/50R16 in front and 245/45R16 in the rear, so fitment is consistent across those sub-models while still remaining position-specific.
That shared layout makes tire selection simpler once the sub-model and wheel position are confirmed. The practical mistake to avoid is treating the car like a square setup, because the front and rear sizes are different and should be matched to the correct axle when replacing individual tires or planning a full set.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 225/50R16 tire for a 1989 Porsche 928?
For a 1989 Porsche 928 front tire in 225/50R16, the main considerations are correct size, radial construction, 16-inch rim compatibility, and the character of the available tire series. Current choices in this size include BFGoodrich and Michelin blackwall performance radials with differing series names, weights, and rim-width specifications.
Selection should follow how the car is used and how closely you want the tire to suit the existing wheel setup. A road-driven grand touring car may call for one kind of compromise, while a lower-mileage collector car may place more emphasis on preserving the correct staggered fitment and keeping the front tires visually consistent with the rear.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Porsche 928 tires?
The available 225/50R16 tires for the 1989 Porsche 928 use a blackwall sidewall style. That keeps the look appropriate to the car’s late-1980s performance grand touring character and aligns with the modern radial tire choices currently offered in the front fitment size.
Sidewall style matters mostly as an appearance decision once the correct size and wheel position are established. On a car like the 928, a clean blackwall presentation generally suits the design language well, but the more important comparison points remain tire series, brand, rim-width compatibility, and how the front tire choice works with the rear fitment already on the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Porsche 928?
In the available 225/50R16 fitment for the 1989 Porsche 928, BFGoodrich and Michelin are present. BFGoodrich appears in g-Force performance series, while Michelin is represented by the Pilot Sport line, giving buyers a useful brand and series comparison within the correct front tire size.
Brand should be considered alongside the rest of the tire’s specification rather than by name alone. Comparing the correct size, sidewall style, tire series, weight, and approved rim-width range gives a clearer picture of which option best suits the car’s intended use and helps maintain a coherent setup on a staggered front-and-rear tire package.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Porsche 928?
A period-style 1989 Porsche 928 tire choice starts with preserving the correct staggered sizing: 225/50R16 in front and 245/45R16 in the rear on the covered S4 and S4 Clubsport applications. Because this is a late-1980s performance grand tourer, a blackwall radial presentation generally suits the car’s original era and design language.
The finer point is deciding how restoration-oriented the car needs to be versus how it will actually be driven. When exact historical appearance matters, check marque references or vehicle-specific documentation before making assumptions about brand or tread-era details, then compare current tires by size, construction, and overall visual character.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1989 Porsche 928 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1989 Porsche 928 restoration because the car uses a staggered front-and-rear setup rather than one universal size. Keeping 225/50R16 at the front and 245/45R16 at the rear preserves the intended relationship between the two axles and avoids a mismatched look.
Appearance is only part of the issue. Correct sizing also affects how the car sits visually on its wheels and helps ensure that the chosen tires suit the wheel dimensions already on the vehicle, so restoration planning should include a close check of wheel diameter, wheel width, and any changes made during the car’s life.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Porsche 928?
Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Porsche 928 even when the original tire sizes are known. Aftermarket wheels, altered offsets, suspension changes, lowered ride height, or bodywork changes can all influence whether a 225/50R16 front tire or 245/45R16 rear tire still has the clearance and wheel compatibility the car needs.
That is why a modified car should be measured rather than judged only by catalog size. Checking wheel width, wheel diameter, steering clearance, suspension travel, and fender space before installation is especially important on a staggered setup, where front and rear fitment perform different roles and should not be assumed to behave the same way.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Porsche 928 on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Porsche 928 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the correct front and rear sizes, and make sure the tires are mounted in the proper positions. It also helps to check inflation, valve stems, lug hardware, and any visible signs of suspension or alignment issues that could affect early tire wear.
A short initial road test is useful for catching vibration, rubbing, or pull before a longer drive. On a collector-era grand touring car, it is also smart to look over brake components, steering response, and general tire-to-body clearance, since long periods of storage or infrequent use can leave other issues hidden until the car is back on the road.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Porsche 928 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Porsche 928 should be checked regularly for air loss, uneven wear, cracking, bulges, cuts, and any changes in ride quality or steering feel. Because these cars are often driven less than modern daily vehicles, condition matters just as much as tread depth, especially on a staggered setup where front and rear tires serve different positions.
Good storage habits help preserve them between drives. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment can slow tire aging, while periodic pressure checks and visual inspections before each outing make it easier to catch problems early and keep the 928 ready for dependable road use.
