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Posted by: Cal Dec 16 2017, 09:58 AM

I'm considering doing a 5-lug conversation to my '74 2.0L using Eric Shea's kit from PMB. I'd prefer this option because I can easily convert it back to the 4-lug if needed. There are a number of replica Fuchs available from Maxilite that look pretty good....15x6 (deep 6), 15x7R and the standard 15x7. The offsets on each of these wheels is different ET36, ET47 & ET23.3.....are there advantages/disadvantages with each? What would be the safest tire width that could be run on each of these wheels without modifying the bodywork on the car.....would 195/65/15 be a safe bet? The photo below would be the ideal look that I'm looking for....15x7 with the RS or RSR finish. I'm open for suggestions / opinions.



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Posted by: Cairo94507 Dec 16 2017, 10:00 AM

On a narrow bodied car, I would go with the deep six. I really like the RSR finish too.

Posted by: GeorgeRud Dec 16 2017, 10:07 AM

195/65-15 fit nicely and have a proper vintage look. 205s can sometimes fit. Eric’s conversion kit will certainly be the easiest way to get all the proper parts for the conversion. 6” wide Fuchs (or replicas) fit very easily, though folks have fit 7” wide wheels if they have the proper ET (backspacing) to prevent the tires from rubbing the fenders. There is some variability on the fender clearance from car to car (and even from side to side on the same car), so going a bit conservative is safer. You can always use some spacers if you decide to increase the track if desired.

Posted by: Mark Henry Dec 16 2017, 10:09 AM

I have a narrow body, flat 020 Fuchs 15x6, with 205/60-15 tires they fit perfect with no fender rolling.
15x7 and/or any bigger tire you can bet you will have to roll/pull the rear fenders.

Posted by: sb914 Dec 16 2017, 11:44 AM

Check the classifieds There's someone selling a pmb five lug conversion right now

Posted by: JOEPROPER Dec 16 2017, 12:16 PM

Which is the RS and which is the RSR?

Posted by: porschetub Dec 16 2017, 12:50 PM

I would like to go back to 15x6 from my 16x7 because I really like the look more,I bought Maxilites and found them to be good quality I paid less than 1K for the set (4) ,they are a slightly different casting than the genuine Fuchs but its hard to notice.

One pleasant surprise was the weight of the Maxilite wheel...not a lot heavier than the Fuchs.

Posted by: Mark Henry Dec 16 2017, 02:49 PM

Real fuchs are forged, not cast, same goes for the 4 bolt fuchs. Why they are so light but strong.
Likely you know that but just an FYI for newbies.

Posted by: burton73 Dec 16 2017, 03:06 PM

I had some 7-inch x 15 Fuchs copies back in 1978. They where some real crap. Super heavy and had texture on the areas near the paddles and lug area. (Any thing they could not machine smooth.) Un-sprung weight is a killer in the handing and you really can feel it when you drive. Boom. We have lots of potholes here in Los Angeles and it has taken out lots of people’s tires and who knows what it does to the wheels.

At that time that is what was sold as copy wheels. The ones today are so much better and some look great. But if you have the money, go real. In the end you will be happy and if you ever want to sell them it is not like you will have a problem.

Now some copy’s say they meet some race standards but I do not know anything of race standards so some may chime on here on those standards. (Boom, Boom)

Bob B

Posted by: SKL1 Dec 16 2017, 03:31 PM

Both my 914's are narrow body. Have 6X16 Fuchs F&R onboth (from front of older SC, etc.) More tire choices and real Fuchs. Close, but fit fine.
Had Harvey Weidman refinish the wheels- highly recommended.

Posted by: SKL1 Dec 16 2017, 03:34 PM

6X16 Fuchs.

Posted by: mepstein Dec 16 2017, 04:21 PM

Also agree to real Fuchs vs copies.

Posted by: Larmo63 Dec 16 2017, 06:06 PM

These are real deep sixes in RSR finish running 205/60 x 15 Yokohamas. Real Fuchs wheels are super light, very strong, and getting expensive. I prefer the look of 15s on our cars, but that is just personal preference. They look great IMHO, but some of the replicas on the market today are hard to distinguish from the real thing.

Posted by: mepstein Dec 16 2017, 07:48 PM

If you want to prove to yourself that 7’s won’t fit, you’re welcomed to borrow one from me to try on your car. I wouldn’t do it though because your paint is pristine so even a little “gotcha” would suck. 6x15 - 205x60x15 fills up the wheel well and is actually a lot of tire for a stock 4. Get a high performance tire. Most of us drive our cars so little that the tires will age out long before they wear out.

Posted by: Larmo63 Dec 16 2017, 07:50 PM

E X A C T L Y

Posted by: sixnotfour Dec 16 2017, 08:04 PM

7R offsett will

Posted by: bdstone914 Dec 16 2017, 10:06 PM

I sold a set of five 6 x 16 real Fuchs to a customer who now wants to sell them. $1200 for the set of five. As I recall all were in pretty nice shape but one needed a repaint.

Posted by: Hans Jan Dec 17 2017, 12:32 AM

After screwing around with bigger tires I ended up with 205-55-R16 on 7” Fuchs all around. Totally fills up the wheel-well.
It’s all personal preference, and what ever you decide to do it can be reversed easily.

Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Dec 17 2017, 10:11 AM

My brother might be selling the Al Reed style ones off his Carrera, I'll check on the size.


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Posted by: mepstein Dec 17 2017, 10:50 AM

They look like 7's & 8's.

Posted by: larryM Dec 17 2017, 02:11 PM

interesting -

6x16 real fuchs seem to be offered at a comparative bargain right now cuz many 911 guys are going to 7&8

a recent other thread suggests our germany cohorts cannot install any repro that does not have the TUV cert -

- they must meet stringent stds for road use unlike many earlier repros - which for most of us is likely good enuf for occasional track days

the gregggearhead TUV-approved copies look nice & if in fact TUV approved (will have certif sticker)

for reasons incomprehensible to me - the market for oem fuchs 15x8 is going nuts - wheels for which we are hard pressed to get street tires ???????

for that matter 16x8 fuchs & BBS as well (which everyone was getting rid of 10 yrs ago) are going market nuts

p.s - i'm looking for a set of old BBS RA 8x16 (circa 1984-87 carerra) - and/or a pair of 8x16 fuchs replicas to match a pair i already have - see http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/980949-wtb-16x8-fuchs-replica-pair.html

Posted by: sixnotfour Dec 17 2017, 03:57 PM

I used to buy 6x16s for $100 or less, but the 17inch rebarrell and 3 piece market made them scarce... they are no bargain anymore.

Posted by: mepstein Dec 17 2017, 04:14 PM

Apparently, a TUV sticker doesn’t guarantee certification. Lots of counterfeiting going on.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/921520-maxlite-fuchs-ebay-2.html

Posted by: Cal Dec 17 2017, 11:07 PM

Thanks for all the feedback.....it's appreciated. The real 15" Fuchs have gotten crazy expensive the past couple of years, thats why I was considering replicas. I've also considered going to 16x6's as a couple of members have pointed out. I like the look of this car with 16's.


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Posted by: sixnotfour Dec 17 2017, 11:53 PM

thats the best 16x6 picture Ive ever seen....I am guessing they are modified to 16 x 7 making rhem like the 911R 15's

16x7.5s I made


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Posted by: raynekat Dec 18 2017, 05:59 PM

It's very true that real 15x6 Fuchs are Uber expensive.
I bought a set of four mismatched flat 6's for about $2k.
That's right.
Add another $1k to refinish and that's your lower end for a set.
I've seen people asking as much as $8k for a set of refinished 15x6 factory Fuchs.
Sign of the times.

Posted by: mgphoto Dec 18 2017, 06:13 PM

Real 5 1/2 x 15's with hearts!
195/65 -15
Just the right look to me.

Posted by: Racer Dec 18 2017, 06:23 PM

find a 6x15.. deep or flat.. and if you want to fill out the fenderwells, add 1/4" spacers till you rub. 205/50 or 195/60. Considering how sticky modern tires are, you don't really need to cram anything larger than a 205 unless you are running some serious hp.

if on a budget, then look for 6x15 cookies as they haven't been completely priced to oblivion like Fuchs have. or go period correct alternate and get some 6.5x15 Minilites instead!

ET36 is what you want.

ET 49 (911R) means that the extra width (7" vs 6") is carried to the "inside" of the fenderwell. So , when comparing a 7x15 et 23 vs a 7x15 et49, the 23 will have a "dish" whereas the 49 will look like a 6".

An alternative look would be 7x15 phonedials, available in both et23 and 52 for cheap.

Posted by: Cal Dec 18 2017, 06:42 PM

Ok....next question. What's the deal with the 14x5.5 Fuchs.....is anyone running them? I know they were original to the 6. The current price of used 14's seem reasonable.

Posted by: Larmo63 Dec 18 2017, 06:49 PM

14" tire choices are quite limited, that's why the 5.5 x 14" Fuchs sell for less.

Posted by: mepstein Dec 18 2017, 06:51 PM

It’s hard to find decent tires for the 14’s.
If you like cookies, I have a set of 6x15 for $500. Probably throw in a collapsible steel spare.

Posted by: Larmo63 Dec 18 2017, 06:57 PM

You can't argue with the look of deep sixes.....matching dates w/hearts

Posted by: Cal Dec 18 2017, 07:07 PM

Lawrence....why don't you sell me your deep 6's....I'll give you $2K for everything

Vredestein has the Sprint Classics in a 195/70VR14 size.....that might work well for 14" Fuchs.

Posted by: Larmo63 Dec 18 2017, 07:13 PM

Go with the 14" w/Veredesteins, that would be a good set-up!!

I'm actively looking for a pair of real 7Rs......!!!

I'll keep my set until I decide to go wide body

Posted by: Mark Henry Dec 18 2017, 08:23 PM

Flat, deep, hearts lets face it no one knows the difference except for porsche guys, in fact even non-P gear heads wouldn't notice the difference looking right at them.

Posted by: Racer Dec 18 2017, 08:36 PM

I run 5.5x14 on my -6 with 196/60-14 Falken Azenis RT-615k tires.

I need to free up $500 and call mepstein!

Posted by: mgphoto Dec 19 2017, 10:39 AM

14 inch tires were for the touring set, softer ride, a little bit "floaty".
15 inch for the more aggressive driver, better control, a bit more harsh ride, better road "feel".

Posted by: mepstein Dec 19 2017, 12:34 PM

That’s fine, I buy my 914 parts for me.

Posted by: Alapone Dec 19 2017, 12:39 PM

A question for you guys who know the market, how much should I be looking to add in a trade for a set of 16s 6 and 7 for a set of 15x7?

I have had the 16s on for a couple years and 2.0l 15s before that. The car is just better suited to the 15 in wheel.

Posted by: Philip W. Dec 19 2017, 01:30 PM

I have 205/55 16 on my 7" rear, 6"wide front- the 7" rubbed in rear, not in front- blistered my paint and rolled fenders were a disaster that had to be repaired, now the 7" fit but still so close - its not worth it- cars vary , one car may fit but mine did not - I put the 6" in front and have 1/2" spacers and no rubbing looks great - the rear 7" will come off before I paint and will get same bridgestone Potenza performance tire on 6", and I can put 1/2 spacers on them and still have plenty of room because the offset on a 6 vs 7 is all from center out, not in. SO if you have new paint , stay with the 6" rims- you only loose like a 1/2" of tread width not stretching them across a 7" rim - the tire width of the Potenza on the ground is more than 7" when mounted on a 6" rim.

Phil

Posted by: Mark Henry Dec 19 2017, 02:14 PM

And that is fine, just stating they're all fine choices.
Just saying hearts and deeps command higher coin, where the flats will likely be easier to find, cheaper and few know the difference.

I knew about hearts because the VW bug guys wanted them due to them being narrower, but I didn't even know the difference of flat and deep six till after I got my flats.
Price I paid, actually part of a trade, was dirt cheap.

Posted by: mepstein Dec 19 2017, 06:28 PM

7x15 are still very desirable. I used to get a pair for $500, now its more like $750-1,000 in driver condition and X2 if they are refinished.

Posted by: gothspeed Dec 24 2017, 09:06 PM

This car has 16 x 7 (951 prefix part number) in the rear

Posted by: burton73 Dec 25 2017, 09:19 PM

951SN- 7 x 15 are the very same as a 911SN -7 x 15.

I have both in my shop and have taken measurements and they are the very same. Now 8 inch 951 in 15 look like 7 from the front side but are 8 inches wide.

I have pictures in my phone and have posted them here before

Bob B

Posted by: jmitro Dec 25 2017, 09:29 PM

951 never came with 15" wheels; only 16"
944 non-turbo had 15" and optional 16"

Posted by: burton73 Dec 25 2017, 09:36 PM

You are right my friend. Brain fog. I just had my 65 birthday.

Bob B

Posted by: mph911 Dec 25 2017, 10:23 PM

I don't think you can beat 15x6 Fuchs (Flat or Deep) with a period correct 185/70.

Posted by: gothspeed Dec 26 2017, 01:45 AM

Yep, the recessed lug bores gave it away

Posted by: Cracker Dec 26 2017, 08:22 AM

These are Fuchs on 6 & 7's - my original car build. It was too much in the rear with the 225's - took allot of massaging. It ultimately fit but barely...contrary to the appearances, they did not rub. Also, I should have left this car this way - it was badass! Live and learn!

Tony

Posted by: Cal Dec 26 2017, 09:10 AM

I've traded a couple of emails with a fellow ESR member who's had the deep 6 Maxilite wheels on his SWB 911 for the past 4 years and loves them.....they look pretty damn good and they're lighter than Fuchs. He lives in Stuggart, Germany where the wheels are TUV approved with papers. For the short term it might be worth purchasing these until I find a reasonably priced set of real deep 6's.



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Posted by: Cracker Dec 26 2017, 09:15 AM

...and why not long-term? Unless you are entering concours...which maybe you intend too, what difference does it really make? Just a thought...

Tony

Posted by: Cal Dec 26 2017, 09:28 AM

You have a valid point.....if they're as good as I've heard there wouldn't be reason to get the real ones....

Posted by: sithot Dec 29 2017, 08:32 AM

Lots of choices too depending on your car(s).

Posted by: SixerJ Dec 29 2017, 12:14 PM

Compare and contrast with the same car

Original Deep Sixes:



Flat Sixes:



I threw these on just before I sold the car as I wanted to keep the deep rims. Flats were repros, not sure what though. Rims themselves were ok, but paint masking not quite right

Same tyres on both rims, Pirelli P6000 195/65/15

Love the way 15" rims and slightly taller tyre fills the arches (personal preference)

Posted by: horizontally-opposed Sep 13 2020, 04:03 PM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=18138

Jeff, is your friend still happy with his wheels, and did you buy a set? Thinking about going Maxilite for a set of 15x6 and 15x7 wheels…

Posted by: porschetub Sep 13 2020, 05:01 PM

Pete you can't go wrong,very happy with the 16's I bought,nicely made and my tire guy (30yrs experience) was impressed with them,with new tyres they balanced with minimal weights.
Not sure about weight,I thought they were a bit heavier than genuine but not 100% on that.
I would prefer 15'' as I like the look better,the importer didn't have any 15's so got the 16's,needed wheels @ the time as my car was on space savers.

Posted by: Cal Sep 15 2020, 10:42 AM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=2058
I never purchased the Maxilite rims....I ended up keeping the original fuchs on my car.

Posted by: horizontally-opposed Sep 15 2020, 11:01 AM

Thanks, Jeff / @Cal!

Any chance you can check in with your friend to see how they're holding up a few years later?



For pure function, I'd definitely go 16s—for the tire choices alone. Also like the look on some 914s. Sadly, I have the 15-inch bug when it comes to my own 914, so my choices are stick with the current deep 6s (likely) or move to a set of Maxilites with custom finishes. The motivation is a desire to mount 215/60R15 rear tires with the massaging necessary to get them in there.

The Maxilites are pretty close in appearance—only thing I really see is the lip that the center cap is supposed to cover is thinner, and you lose some of the cool detail (that wasn't meant to be a detail) inside the wheel if you run without caps (which I prefer). My alternatives is to either have Harvey widen my rears, or find a set of true 7Rs, which is in the high $,$$$ range. Or move to 205/60s all around if I can find a tire I like. Not in any hurry, but would like more rear tire and looking to have a plan for when these Avons age out in a year or so.


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Posted by: Cairo94507 Sep 15 2020, 12:41 PM

Harvey widened a set of deep 6's for my car. Unfortunately they did not work out for me but they were beautiful wheels done to his extremely high standards. I ended up trading them to him for a matched set of stock deep 6's- of course they are prefect too.

Posted by: horizontally-opposed Sep 15 2020, 01:01 PM

Harvey does beautiful work, and restored the set of Fuchs currently on my car. I've spoken with him about his method of widening deep 6s into 7Rs, and he ably answered my questions re: the obvious: welding 50~ year old forged aluminum. The man knows his stuff, and it sounds like he can widen my existing wheels without having to refinish them.

Then again, selling my deep 6s and moving to replicas offers some financial upsides—and the cast wheels are new rather than forged but heat cycled for 50~ years. The hump I have to get over is whether I care about having real Fuchs on the car. It isn't an original 914-6, nor will it ever be. And for me, it's more about function than correctness.

And yet…

Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Sep 15 2020, 07:48 PM

People are paying for FUCHS? Why didn't anyone tell me?


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Posted by: ri914 Sep 15 2020, 07:52 PM

I hope that is a secret hiding location and not a real dumpster

Posted by: mepstein Sep 16 2020, 06:40 AM

The nice thing about real Fuchs is they keep going up in value.

Posted by: 73-914 Sep 16 2020, 06:43 AM

Perfect Picture

Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Sep 16 2020, 08:15 AM

I don't expect this to continue indefinitely, as better repro's hit the market it will bring prices down. It happened with 16" Pre-A 356 wheels. I was getting upwards of $1000 a wheel for old bent and rusty 16's, then three companies made repro's, now I get about $400 for originals. The market will fill the void created, it always does. Which is why I did not have any 16's when the market fell out and why I won't be holding any deep sixes when the market falls out of FUCHS world. Shipped out my last full set to a dealer in Canada this week.



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