Best sub $1000 wheel swap for 986?

[mattluttrell]

When my jeep sells tomorrow I can finally replace the dated looking wheels on my 97 Boxster.

Someone in my city is selling some 99 911 wheels. It was disappointing to see they look just like mine.

I want to get modern wheels before I buy tires. 18" or 19" might be nice.

I've see some Cayenne wheels that appear to fit. Some newer 911 wheels need spacers?

What and where should I be looking? eBay?

Please post pictures if you did an easy upgrade. Thanks.

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[steved0x]

My favorite wheel is the 18" Cayman S wheels, you can find them for <$1000.

[mmassey0125]

I don't think you can put 19" on a 97.

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[thstone]

Porsche recommended against using 18" or larger wheels on the 97 Boxster. Porsche upgraded the Boxster in 98 to accommodate larger wheel sizes by strengthening the body structure.

Will you die from mounting 18, 19, or 20's on a 97? Probably not, but the car wasn't designed for them.

Rim Size for 1997 Boxster

[BIGJake111]

Be careful updating rims, I've seen 981 rims on older PCars and it just makes the car look very out of whack.

There is the 97 issue to begin with but within that I would suggest staying within the production run of the 993 or 9X6 or possibly aftermarket counterparts from that era specifically.

[mattluttrell]

Originally Posted by mmassey0125

I don't think you can put 19" on a 97.

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I've read the debates here. That seems to the consensus although others prove it wrong.

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[bwdz]

I bought a set of 2011 cayman wheels with brand new tires for $400, I like to stick with the factory look. They had lots of curb rash and a few marks for that low price so I just took some time to fix them up and love them.

[rick3000]

If you have a specific rim in mind, keep an eye out on eBay, Craigslist, 986forum, RennTech, PCA, etc If you don't have a specific rim in mind, also keep an eye out until you see something you like. You should be able to buy almost any set of used OEM rims for sub-$1000. I would stick with a 17" rim, especially if you plan to do any track or autocross. I paid $600 + shipping for my set of 911 10-spokes from eBay.

Not OEM, but you can see all of the styles:
Porsche Wheels from Wheel Enhancement

[mattluttrell]

Originally Posted by rick3000

If you have a specific rim in mind, keep an eye out on eBay, Craigslist, 986forum, RennTech, PCA, etc If you don't have a specific rim in mind, also keep an eye out until you see something you like. You should be able to buy almost any set of used OEM rims for sub-$1000. I would stick with a 17" rim, especially if you plan to do any track or autocross. I paid $600 + shipping for my set of 911 10-spokes from eBay.

Not OEM, but you can see all of the styles:
Porsche Wheels from Wheel Enhancement

Of course the Carrera rims look best.

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[mattluttrell]

Just put an offer of $750 on these. I've ruled out 19" based on the debates and 1997 issues.



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[particlewave]

It's not a debate.
1997 = 17" maximum.

[algiorda]

Originally Posted by rick3000

If you have a specific rim in mind, keep an eye out on eBay, Craigslist, 986forum, RennTech, PCA, etc If you don't have a specific rim in mind, also keep an eye out until you see something you like. You should be able to buy almost any set of used OEM rims for sub-$1000. I would stick with a 17" rim, especially if you plan to do any track or autocross. I paid $600 + shipping for my set of 911 10-spokes from eBay.

Not OEM, but you can see all of the styles:
Porsche Wheels from Wheel Enhancement

Goodness Gracious, how could anyone make a selection with all those wonderful choices!

[mikefocke]

The '97 did not have this fix "18” wheel option with rear chassis reinforced to accept new wheels. Rear body structural change included redesigned wheel wells and coil spring mounts, lower engine compartment bulkhead, rear wall crossmember and rear axle mount reinforcements."

[bwdz]

Originally Posted by particlewave

It's not a debate.
1997 = 17" maximum.

Man, I must have missed that somewhere. Can you tell me why? I haven't rode on the 18s yet but before refinishing the wheels I put them on the car, jacked it up and compressed the suspension and I had clearance everywhere. The only spot I came really close on was at full turn in the front as it came very close to the plastic fender liner with only 5mm of clearance with the 235s on the front.

[itsnotanova]

Not to debate that the 97/early 98 isn't weaker than a late 98/99, but I've seen lots of 97 spec boxsters get the living tar beat out of them and the only thing that really breaks on them is the rear subframe. That usually happens when they hit a curb sideways or do some offroading. I'd drive with 19's on a 97 if my boxster was a 97. The reason I wouldn't run 19s is because they weigh a ton and really hurt performance.

[Steve Tinker]

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

The reason I wouldn't run 19s is because they weigh a ton and really hurt performance.

And there lies the real world truth....

Fitting larger (read heavier) wheels to a 2.5 Boxster will kill the performance especially the excelleration and mid range pull.
To me that is not acceptable, just because they look good doesn't mean they work well......

[boxxster]

Per this thread: "TSB #4407, dated March 4, 1997: " Eighteen inch wheels are not approved for use on Boxsters. Use of eighteen inch wheels on Boxsters under severe conditions may result in structural failures of the body and/or suspension".

So as long as you aren't tracking the car or doing anything really stupid with it I think you should be fine.

[Boxtaboy]

Agree...I have an 01 2.7L, and even notice a difference in acceleration between 17 and 18s. The extra weight of the 19s with tires would really affect a 2.5L.

[mikefocke]

IIRC the story was large wheels, sticky tires and track testing revealed the need for the frame strengthening.

Not to mention the larger the wheel, the less crush space between the pothole and your expensive rim.

The larger the wheel, generally the more unsprung weight and thus the larger load the suspension has to absorb.

And the more expensive the tire.

Your car, your cash, your image, your comfort, your risk.

[bwdz]

Thanks for the explanation guys. I am not worried about hurting the acceleration with the slight difference in weight of the 18 vs 17 wheel, it is not like a Boxster has any acceleration to talk about in the first place. I don't track the car and it is not like I am running slicks on it, just a 18 inch street tire that gets slid around a few turns a year so not worried about breaking it and if I do break it, oh well, I'll just fix it.