The 1990 Ferrari 348 TS arrived at a moment when Ferrari was blending unmistakably late-1980s design cues with a more modern, mid-engine road-car feel. As a targa-top version of the 348, it carries the visual drama and driver-focused character that make tire choice especially important to both appearance and road behavior. The 1990 Ferrari 348 TS uses a staggered radial setup with 215/50R17 in front and 255/45R17 in the rear, both on 17-inch rims. Available choices stay within that modern performance-minded format, with blackwall, redline, and raised white letter rear-tire options. The key is matching the correct front and rear sizes while confirming wheel specs and the car’s current setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1990 Ferrari 348 TS
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TS uses two primary tire sizes, with one size for the front and a different size for the rear. Both are radial tires built for 17-inch rims, so the first step is confirming position on the car rather than choosing between alternate overall fitments. Once front and rear sizes are sorted correctly, the real decision becomes comparing available tire series, 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 rim diameter in inches. On the 1990 Ferrari 348 TS, this is the front tire size and it works within the car’s staggered handling layout. 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 in blackwall form. This size should be evaluated as the front fitment, with attention to wheel width and maintaining the intended front-to-rear balance.
255/45R17 is a metric radial size where 255 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 17 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1990 Ferrari 348 TS, this is the rear tire size, giving the car the wider rear footprint that belongs with its staggered setup. Product choices include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac, with blackwall, redline, and RWL sidewall treatments represented in the size. This is the size to review when rear appearance, brand preference, or wheel-width compatibility is driving the selection.
Fitment on the 1990 Ferrari 348 TS is straightforward once tire position is identified, because the front and rear use different sizes. Checking whether a tire belongs on the front or rear matters more here than comparing trim-level variations.
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1990 Ferrari 348 TS Base Front
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TS Base Front uses a 215/50R17 radial tire on a 17-inch rim. Tire selection at the front centers on staying with the proper staggered fitment while comparing the available blackwall performance-oriented series in this size.
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TS Base Rear uses a 255/45R17 radial tire on a 17-inch rim. Rear tire choice brings more visible variation, including blackwall, redline, and RWL options, so appearance and wheel compatibility both become part of the decision.
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 TS Tires for Sale
Available 1990 Ferrari 348 TS tire choices stay within the correct staggered 17-inch radial setup. Front options focus on BFGoodrich blackwall performance series, while the rear size adds BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac choices with blackwall, redline, and RWL sidewall treatments.
Common 1990 Ferrari 348 TS tire questions usually center on the staggered front and rear sizes, 17-inch rim fitment, product differences within each size, and what to inspect before driving a collector-era performance car on fresh tires.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1990 Ferrari 348 TS?
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TS uses a staggered tire setup, with 215/50R17 on the front and 255/45R17 on the rear. Both are radial sizes designed for 17-inch rims, so this car does not use the same tire size at all four corners.
That means tire selection starts with identifying the tire position on the car before choosing a brand or series. Using the correct front and rear pairing helps preserve the intended balance of the 348 TS, and any car with aftermarket wheels should have actual wheel width and clearance checked before changing tire selection.
What size rim does a 1990 Ferrari 348 TS use?
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TS uses 17-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The front 215/50R17 and rear 255/45R17 are both built around the same 17-inch rim diameter, even though the tires differ in width and profile.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a staggered car like this. Wheel width still matters, especially because the front and rear tires have different width requirements, so owners should confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car before selecting among available tires in either size.
Why does the 1990 Ferrari 348 TS have more than one tire size?
The 1990 Ferrari 348 TS has more than one tire size because it uses 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 layout rather than an alternate fitment menu.
For the buyer, the practical takeaway is simple: front and rear tires should be treated as separate fitment decisions within one matched vehicle setup. Before replacing tires, confirm which axle needs service and make sure the car still has the correct wheel arrangement if it has ever been modified or fitted with different wheels.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 215/50R17 and 255/45R17 tire set for a 1990 Ferrari 348 TS?
Start with the correct staggered sizes: 215/50R17 for the front and 255/45R17 for the rear. From there, compare tire construction, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, brand, and tire series so the set matches both the car’s layout and the look you want.
Selection also depends on how the 348 TS is used. A car kept close to its original visual character may call for a simpler blackwall performance presentation, while an owner focused on a more customized look may consider the rear redline or RWL options, provided the wheel setup and overall pairing remain appropriate.
What sidewall styles are available for 1990 Ferrari 348 TS tires?
Sidewall choice depends on size. The 215/50R17 front tire options are available in blackwall, while the 255/45R17 rear size includes blackwall, redline, and RWL treatments, giving the rear fitment more appearance variation than the front.
That matters because a staggered car can change visually with only one sidewall treatment at the rear. Buyers aiming for a restrained, modern performance look often stay with blackwalls at both ends, while redline or raised white letter rear tires create a more distinctive presentation that should still be considered as part of a matched front-rear setup.
What brands offer tires for the 1990 Ferrari 348 TS?
Tire choices for the 1990 Ferrari 348 TS include BFGoodrich in both front and rear sizes, with Nitto and Pro-Trac also available in the rear 255/45R17 size. Brand choice therefore varies by tire position, not just by personal preference.
A useful way to compare options is to narrow the correct size first, then review each brand’s available tire series and sidewall style in that position. On this Ferrari, the front selection stays more focused, while the rear size opens up more visual and brand variety for owners balancing road use, presentation, and wheel compatibility.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1990 Ferrari 348 TS?
A period-style approach starts with retaining the proper staggered sizes: 215/50R17 in front and 255/45R17 in the rear. Since the 348 TS already uses modern metric radial sizes, the appearance decision is less about converting construction and more about choosing a tire series and sidewall treatment that suits the car’s early-1990s character.
Blackwall tires usually keep the presentation closest to the clean, performance-oriented look many buyers want on a Ferrari of this era. For owners pursuing exact originality, tire branding and sidewall details should be checked against marque references, period photography, or other vehicle-specific historical material before settling on a final choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1990 Ferrari 348 TS?
On a 1990 Ferrari 348 TS, construction is already straightforward because the primary fitment is radial front and rear. The visible appearance change comes less from construction type and more from sidewall treatment, tire series design, and how closely the chosen tire matches the car’s intended visual balance.
That makes details such as blackwall versus redline or RWL more influential than a bias-ply-versus-radial decision would be on an older collector car. A restoration-oriented owner should also keep the staggered sizing intact, because the right front-to-rear proportion is part of how the 348 TS looks when viewed from the side and rear.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1990 Ferrari 348 TS?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1990 Ferrari 348 TS even when the tire sizes remain 215/50R17 front and 255/45R17 rear. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or ride-height adjustments can all influence how those sizes sit in the car.
That is why a modified 348 TS should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and steering range before new tires are chosen. A staggered setup leaves less room for assumption, so current hardware matters just as much as the original size designation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1990 Ferrari 348 TS on new tires?
Before driving a 1990 Ferrari 348 TS on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and alignment-related components. It also helps to confirm that the front 215/50R17 and rear 255/45R17 positions were mounted correctly on the car.
A careful first check should include proper inflation, visual clearance at full steering lock, and any signs of rubbing once the car is on the ground. Collector cars that spend long periods parked also deserve a close look for fluid leaks, aged bushings, or uneven old-tire wear patterns that may point to setup issues.
How should 215/50R17 and 255/45R17 tires on a collector 1990 Ferrari 348 TS be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1990 Ferrari 348 TS should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age-related deterioration as well as tread wear. The front 215/50R17 and rear 255/45R17 should also be monitored separately because they do different jobs and are not interchangeable corner to corner.
Storage conditions matter on a low-use Ferrari. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, while periodic inspection for cracking, bulges, cuts, or unexplained air loss is important before any drive, especially after the car has been sitting.
