The 1990 Ferrari 348 TB arrived at a moment when Ferrari was reshaping its V8 berlinetta formula with sharper wedge-era styling, a mid-engine layout, and a chassis that feels very much tied to late-1980s and early-1990s performance thinking. Tire selection on this car is part of that character, because the 348 TB uses a staggered radial setup with 215/50R17 at the front and 255/45R17 at the rear on 17-inch wheels. That split fitment makes front-to-rear sizing, sidewall presentation, and tire series choice more important than simply matching one size all around. For owners balancing originality of stance, road manners, and wheel compatibility, the right decision starts with keeping that staggered layout intact.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1990 Ferrari 348 TB
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TB uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is position-specific rather than trim-specific: 215/50R17 at the front and 255/45R17 at the rear. Both are radial tires for 17-inch wheels, so the first step is confirming whether you are replacing the front pair, the rear pair, or the full staggered set while keeping wheel diameter and front-to-rear sizing consistent.
The 255/45R17 size is also a metric radial, with a 255-millimeter nominal section width, a 45-series profile, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim requirement. On the 1990 Ferrari 348 TB, this is the rear tire size, giving the car the wider rear footprint that belongs with its staggered fitment. Product choices include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac offerings, with blackwall, redline, and raised white letter sidewall treatments depending on the series. This size belongs on the rear axle, so it should be evaluated as part of the complete front-and-rear combination rather than as a stand-alone substitute.
The covered 1990 Ferrari 348 TB fitment is straightforward in model designation but position-sensitive in practice. Front and rear applications use different tire sizes, so identifying which axle you are servicing matters more than trim differentiation when selecting the correct tire.
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1990 Ferrari 348 TB Base Front
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TB Base Front uses the 215/50R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel. That makes front-tire selection a matter of choosing the right tire series within the correct size while keeping the staggered relationship to the rear axle intact.
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TB Base Rear uses the wider 255/45R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel. Rear tire choice is where sidewall styling and brand variety open up more noticeably, but the size still needs to stay matched to the car's front-and-rear fitment strategy.
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 1990 Ferrari 348 TB Tires for Sale
Available 1990 Ferrari 348 TB tire choices center on radial 17-inch fitment, with BFGoodrich covering the 215/50R17 front size and BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac options available in the 255/45R17 rear size. The main comparisons are tire series, blackwall versus redline or raised white letter appearance, and rim-width suitability.
These 1990 Ferrari 348 TB FAQs focus on the staggered front-and-rear tire sizes, 17-inch wheel fitment, available radial tire choices, appearance differences in the rear size, and the checks that matter before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1990 Ferrari 348 TB?
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TB uses a staggered tire setup, not one size at all four corners. The front size is 215/50R17 and the rear size is 255/45R17, with both positions using radial construction on 17-inch wheels.
That means tire replacement starts with confirming which axle needs tires, because the front and rear sizes are intentionally different. Keeping the correct front-to-rear relationship matters for appearance, balance, and wheel compatibility, especially on a mid-engine car where mixing the wrong sizes can change the stance and reduce clearance consistency.
What size rim does a 1990 Ferrari 348 TB use?
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TB uses 17-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The front 215/50R17 and rear 255/45R17 both mount on 17-inch wheels, even though the tire widths and profiles differ from front to rear.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so a 17-inch wheel still needs the proper width for the tire being considered. Before changing tire lines or replacing wheels, it helps to confirm actual wheel width at each axle, since the front and rear tires do not share the same width requirements.
Why does the 1990 Ferrari 348 TB have more than one tire size?
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TB has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered fitment, with 215/50R17 in front and 255/45R17 in the rear. The wider rear tire is part of the car's intended front-to-rear setup rather than an alternate fitment for the same position.
For an owner, that means the real question is not which single size fits the car, but which size belongs on each axle. Matching the correct position helps preserve the car's proportions and avoids mounting a front-size tire on the rear wheel or a rear-size tire where steering and front-end clearance are more critical.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 215/50R17 and 255/45R17 tire set for a 1990 Ferrari 348 TB?
Start with the correct staggered sizes: 215/50R17 for the front and 255/45R17 for the rear, both in radial construction. After that, compare tire series, sidewall style where applicable, and the wheel-width suitability of each tire so the front and rear choices work together as a set.
A balanced selection matters more than choosing front and rear tires in isolation. Some owners prioritize a uniform blackwall performance look, while others want a more distinctive rear presentation such as redline or raised white letter. Keeping the sizes in the proper positions and confirming wheel match at both axles will narrow the best options quickly.
What sidewall styles are available for 1990 Ferrari 348 TB tires?
Sidewall style depends on tire size. The available 215/50R17 front tires are blackwall, while the 255/45R17 rear size is available in blackwall, redline, and raised white letter form, depending on the tire series and brand selected.
That makes sidewall choice mainly a rear-tire appearance decision on this application. Owners seeking a restrained late-period performance look may stay with blackwalls front and rear, while those wanting more visual character can evaluate redline or raised white letter treatment at the back, keeping in mind the overall presentation of the complete car.
What brands offer tires for the 1990 Ferrari 348 TB?
BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac offer tires for the 1990 Ferrari 348 TB across its two primary sizes. BFGoodrich appears in both the 215/50R17 front size and the 255/45R17 rear size, while Nitto and Pro-Trac are available in the 255/45R17 rear fitment.
Brand choice should be filtered through the axle position first, because not every brand is represented in both sizes. It also helps to compare the tire series within each brand, since the 348 TB owner is usually balancing road-use intent, visual style, and whether the front and rear tires should follow one unified look or a more customized rear treatment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1990 Ferrari 348 TB?
A period-style approach starts by preserving the 1990 Ferrari 348 TB's staggered radial sizing with 215/50R17 in front and 255/45R17 in the rear. From there, the most conservative visual route is usually a blackwall set, since blackwall options are available in both positions and maintain a clean late-1980s to early-1990s performance presentation.
The best choice depends on whether the goal is road use with a restrained original-era look or a more personalized appearance. When authenticity matters beyond general period style, details such as brand, tread design, and sidewall treatment should be checked against marque-specific references, ownership history, or other vehicle-specific documentation before finalizing the selection.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1990 Ferrari 348 TB?
Tire construction is straightforward on the 1990 Ferrari 348 TB because its primary fitment is radial at both ends. That keeps the visual decision centered less on bias-ply versus radial shape and more on selecting the correct front and rear sizes, along with the sidewall treatment and tire series that suit the car's intended presentation.
Appearance changes most noticeably at the rear, where blackwall, redline, and raised white letter choices are available in 255/45R17. A restoration-minded owner should think about whether the goal is a subtle showroom-era look or a more expressive enthusiast-style finish, then keep that choice consistent with the car's stance and the front tire's simpler blackwall presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1990 Ferrari 348 TB?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1990 Ferrari 348 TB even when the tire sizes themselves remain 215/50R17 front and 255/45R17 rear. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, alignment changes, or bodywork variations can all influence clearance and how well a given tire works in its intended position.
A staggered car leaves less room for guesswork, so any modified example should be measured rather than assumed. It helps to verify wheel dimensions at each axle, inspect steering clearance up front, and check rear fender and suspension room before replacing tires, especially when changing tire series or moving away from an existing setup of unknown origin.
What should I inspect before driving a 1990 Ferrari 348 TB on new tires?
Before driving a 1990 Ferrari 348 TB on new tires, confirm that the front tires are 215/50R17 and the rear tires are 255/45R17, that all four are seated properly on 17-inch wheels, and that inflation is set appropriately for the tires being used. A quick visual check for even mounting and adequate clearance is also worthwhile.
Collector and exotic cars often spend long periods parked, so the first drive should include a broader walk-around. Check wheel fasteners, look for suspension or brake issues that could affect tire wear, and make sure there is no rubbing at steering lock or under compression. A short, cautious road test helps reveal vibration, pull, or contact before longer use.
How should 215/50R17 and 255/45R17 tires on a collector 1990 Ferrari 348 TB be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1990 Ferrari 348 TB should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and close attention to age-related condition as well as tread wear. The car's staggered 215/50R17 front and 255/45R17 rear setup also means each axle should be inspected on its own terms rather than treated as a uniform set.
Low annual mileage can hide problems, so maintenance should include watching for sidewall cracking, flat-spotting, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss. Storage conditions matter too: keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and any unusual wear pattern should prompt a check of alignment, suspension condition, and wheel setup.
