308 wheel confusion | FerrariChat

308 wheel confusion

Discussion in '308/328' started by johnny308, Jan 8, 2017.

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  1. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    #1 johnny308, Jan 8, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Listers,

    I have a euro 308 with 16 inch wheels. I do not know if the width is different but there is a difference in back spacing measured from the front of the wheel

    I have put a good straight edge on the wheel/tire and it is clear that the rear wheels are 1/4 inch further from the line than the front.

    These wheels have no/0 markings on the front. They are clean. I will try to loan a wheel caliper in the morning to check the width of each. I wish to figure what I have because I need tires.

    I will try to load a photo of one of the front wheels
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  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
    25,123
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    Please post a photo of one of the rears too (it can be a clue).
     
  3. dpospres

    dpospres Formula Junior

    Jun 29, 2005
    275
    The 16s are normally 205/55 on the front and 225/50 on the back, so yes, the wheels are different.
     
  4. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Hello,
    posting a photo or a rear would not be of much help as they appear to be the same until you measurlthe distance from the lip to the hub. The rear is 1/4” further away. The depth of the wheels lip is the same on front and rear. That can mean the rim is wider or the offset is different. Will try to measure the rims in the morning. There are tires on the rims and I do not wish to take the off just yet. I will need to loan a caliper.
     
  5. George Vosburgh

    George Vosburgh F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    The inner rim on the front wheels will be thinner. The rear wheels have a deep dish look, the rim is almost half as deep as the front.
     
  6. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    I measure 1/4 greater depth in the rear front lip to hub surface
     
  7. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    oop’s 1/4 inch
     
  8. kcabpilot

    kcabpilot Formula 3

    Apr 17, 2014
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    Paul
    I'm no expert here but FWIW my wheels are 7.00xJ16 front and 8.00xJ16 rear
     
  9. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    Aug 28, 2005
    4,120
    Calgary, AB, Canada
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    #9 GordonC, Jan 8, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The factory 308 16" wheels are 7.0" wide on the front, 8.0 inches wide on the rear, with tire sizes 205/55-16 front and 225/50-16 rear.

    Here's a few closeup photos, apologies for the dirt, of my 1984 Euro QV's factory 16" wheels

    - The front wheels are marked "Ferrari 7.00Jx16" ", and the lip is pretty near 1".

    - The rear wheels are marked "Ferrari 8.00Jx16" ", and the lip is almost 1 1/4".

    - BUT note that on the front wheels, the star spokes face is about 1/4" proud of the lip marking face, like an inner lip or raised spoke face, if that makes sense (see picture 1 and 3). On the rear wheel, inner of the wheel marking, there is a groove and the star spokes are about flush with the lip face with the marking... So the front wheels and rear wheels are significantly different if you look for that difference...

    Johnny308, the picture you posted of your front wheel looks similar to my front wheels.
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  10. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Thanks to ALL for the reply's. My wheels at least on the outside have NO markings on them.
    I will remove one to see the inside and make more carful measurements.
     
  11. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    No, it is a clue -- because: 1) if they have the same ribbing structure as the fronts (i.e., does not have the physical outside construction difference that Gordon's post beautifully describes), but 2) are actually wider = most likely the 16" KN Aluminum 308 reproduction wheels.
     
  12. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
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    OP - if you need tires you might as well tell us what you already have fitted as that may give a clue
     
  13. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    they are 225/50/16 all around.
     
  14. dpospres

    dpospres Formula Junior

    Jun 29, 2005
    275
    Doesn't sound right. The rears should be 16x8 wheels with the 225/50s on it, and the fronts should be 18x7 wheels with 205/55s on it. Also be aware that the lug nuts on the front are a different size than the rear.
     
  15. cavallo_nero

    cavallo_nero Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,707
    colorado
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    Giovanni Pasquale
    My 308 has aftermarket superperformance 16's. The rims are wider in back than in front (I think the offset is different too?). Which makes for a PIA come tire rotation time. The shop has to dismount each tire off the rim and switch them around - to keep the wide rims in the rear (with directional tires these days), and that's IF I have the same size tire front and back like the OP., otherwise I cant rotate front to back and visa versa.
    Are there any better ideas for this dilemma.? (find the same size rim front and rear?) Thank god the shop is careful with these rims on the machine, but each year that's a dismount/remount on each rim.
     
  16. dpospres

    dpospres Formula Junior

    Jun 29, 2005
    275
    I personally never rotate tires on my vehicles. It only hides problems. Uneven or excessive wear is usually a sign of an issue, so if everything is kept in good shape, they should wear somewhat evenly all the way around. Especially on the Ferrari where I replace them every 8 years because of age, but never because of a lot of miles.
     
  17. i-velocita

    i-velocita F1 Rookie
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    Sep 9, 2006
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    Please just show photos of the back sides of the wheels. You will immediately know what you are dealing with.
     
  18. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    I will get rear photos tonight.
     
  19. 308nut

    308nut Formula 3
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    Jul 22, 2002
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    #19 308nut, Jan 10, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  20. kcabpilot

    kcabpilot Formula 3

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    Before I bought my QV I looked at a '78 GTS and it had 15" Cromadoras.
     
  21. Brian Harper

    Brian Harper F1 Rookie
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    Feb 17, 2006
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    Wow, today I learned that 308s also came with 15" wheels. I had never heard that before, and frankly without the picture I wouldn't have believed it.

    So at least five different wheel sizes and at least three different OE manufacturers for a wheel set that at first glance all look the same. Oh, and add to that the KN reproductions.

    Also hilarious is the vast difference in price among the "same" wheels. A good rear 16" wheel will go for around $1000. Meanwhile I've given away one metric wheel and sold another for $1 - and that includes a TRX tire with tread. And I think both of those guys have tried to give the wheels back to me at some point.
     
  22. Albert-LP

    Albert-LP F1 Veteran
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    Sep 1, 2010
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    I think that 15" rim is a prototype and the only existing 15" set in the world

    ciao
     
  23. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
    25,123
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    Any F part number shown?
     
  24. godabitibi

    godabitibi F1 Veteran
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    Claude Laforest
  25. Albert-LP

    Albert-LP F1 Veteran
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    Sep 1, 2010
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