18" or 19"

[CP711]

I have the factory 17" rims on my 2000 Triple black Boxster. Looking for some rims that have a 3 to 4 " lip on the rear. I want to buy some springs for it to lower it slightly also.

My queastions are...

How much ride quality difference is there between the 17" and the 19"?

Which size handles best in cornering 18" ,19" ?

If I put the springs on with the 19" will it rubb all the time?

Anyone have any suggestions on anycool rims they have seen with the lip on the rear?

Thanks
CP711


:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

[porsche986spyder]

If I were you, I would go with the 18s if you are going to lower it. Some people have had problems with the alighnment doing 19s and lowering. 18s are a safe bet. My rims have 4inch deep lips in the rear and 3.25 in the front. Plus the bigger rim size (19s) you go up to the more weight you will be adding to the cars axle and it will start to feel slugish on the pick up end and bog down your flywheel. Less weight is better!

[JoshMD]

18" tires are cheaper than 19" tires.

I would only get 19's if you are planning on getting some aero. (skirts)

[Grizzly]

18s or 19s are really just a matter of personal preference. I've heard that the car handles best on 18s.

If you size your tires correctly, the 19s are no more prone to rubbing than any other size. When you push the tire size too much you start having difficulties with rubbing, as well as the feeling of sluggishness that Spyder describes. However, if you use the correct method of measurement to step up in rim size, the outside diameter of the wheel/tire combination doesn't change. The diameter of the wheel is larger, but the sidewall height of the tire is shorter. The net effect is no change in overall diameter.

There may be added weight when going with a larger wheel, but that really depends on your choice of wheel. If you choose a lightweight wheel over what you're running now, the weight of your new combination could actually be less than your current setup.

Will there be a difference in feel between the 17s and 19s? Yeah, I'm sure there will because you'll have a lot less sidewall to cushion your ride. I'm on 235 35 19s front and 275 30 19s rear and I find it completely acceptable in terms of ride comfort.

Lastly, if tire sizes are chosen correctly, lowering the car should make no difference in your choice of 18s or 19s. Again, the outside tire diameter will be the same. You'll just be sporting more rim and less tire.

[efahl]

How smooth are your roads? I'm already paranoid about my 18s here in Michigan, and would be scared to navigate a lot of roads if I had 19s...

Funny story (to me anyhow): Nephew buys a US spec VW GTi in Germany while stationed there, comes back to Michigan and brings his car. First upgrade is to put 17" wheels on it. I told him, "Do NOT get 17s, the sidewalls are just too short for local roads..." Well, you know kids, he has the 17s shipped to my house because I've got the jacks and air wrench and all that. We put them on and I give him one more warning to be careful about rough roads. He drives off and not 15 minutes later he calls me, "Go*#@# mo!#($^ sonofa*#*$, I just bent one of my wheels and the tire is flat." Not even 10 miles...

[xxxalexxxx]

I perfer the 18s, 19s are too much IMO