Too small for the mod?
 

I would like to get the GT3 Bumper and sideskirts this spring, but have 17" wheels (pic below if ya like). Tires are Bridgestone Potenza S02 A's 255/40 in the back with 205/50 in the front. Love the wheels, and plenty of life left in the tires.

My first thought is that the 17" wheels will look silly with the changeout of the bumper/skirts.... Any experience/opinions?

all i gotta say is that ur wheels/calipers/rotors looks clean and nice as hell man :cheers:

look up pictures of GT3 bumpers on 986/996 and you will see that 18"s are not optional but necassary for the car to not look funny.(Side skirts are a must if you install the GT3 bumper.)

Totally agree with Blinkwatt. Gotta go with 18's with those mods to keep it visually right.

JMW

keep the 17's for track days/for when you sell it or sell 'em off to offset the 18's

17's will look dorky. They will look less dorky if the car is lowered. 18's are the way to go though.

Yup... I knew I was right - thanks to all for confirming.

Silly 17's. They look good as is - but have to upgrade to 18s along with the bumper and skirts.

Could keep them for the track, yes... But why would I want to re-dorkify my ride once I make the change. Think I'll sell 'em.

So.... Here's your next two q's

1) Whatcha think I should ask for the old wheels? Great condition on three - only a little curb rash on one.

...and more importantly...

2) What's your pick for my new wheels?

Get 19's. I love my wheels and they were only 1,200. Look at my renntech profile for more pics (in my sig), Id also recommend some sweet OZ super/ultra leggas, I like the look alot. Also BBS wheels are nice... if money is no object.

I know that I've read a lot about people having no problems with the 19's - but I live and drive around some pretty hilly terrain, with plenty of rough roads from place to place.

Am I going to experience any issues? And while we're on it - how about the clearance of the GT3 bumper? I read that with lip, it will scrape everywhere but seemingly flat. How about w/out? I'm already scrapin' around time to time as it is!?...

Will you be selling your tires with the wheels? If so, in what condition are the tires? I sold my old 17s (sans tires) for about $400 on ebay. I'd guess that you'd get at least $500 on a auction for them if they come with decent tires. If that seems low, keep in mind the buyer is also considering shipping costs. Shipping can be annoying for wheels (luckily my winning bidder was local). I've noticed shipping anywhere between $100-200.

For your new wheels, is cost a consideration. I prefer 18s over 19s mostly because it keeps the cost of tires lower. I can't recall a Boxster with a full GT3 package, so thinking of a specific wheel that would go well escapes me at this time. Do you have any pictures of what the GT3 package?

Some thoughts
 

The smaller the diameter of the wheel, the more room the tire has to flex and the better it will absorb bumps without allowing the bump to penetrate to the wheel itself. If you live where potholes are frequent, beware.

The general rule is $700-750 for 17" wheels on fleabay with good tires (sold some at $700, bought some at $750). But that price implies there is no curb rash. Deduct at least $150 for the rash. Get it fixed before you can to get a faster sale and recover the $.

People will buy the 17' wheels for snow tires at the right time of year.

I sold mine for 700 with tires and they had curb rash. I am not putting the lip on my GT3 bumper because it came with a "boomerang". That should be a lot of help. About clearence... Imagine your stock bumper... but an inch lower on the sides, and flush with the bottom of the car (your underbody plates). This bumper does not curve up, but stays flat with the bottom of the car, and is lower on the sides is what im syaing... basically.

Thanks for all the input.

Wheels are in great condition. 10K left on them I believe.

I'm leaning to the 18's. Concerned about the clearence. I need to see some on a box in person...

Bogg - what's the "Boomerang?"

If you look under the bumper, there are a bunch of holes down there for a lip to be screwed on. The boomerrang is just a giant flat boomerrang shaped piece of stainless steel that screws underneath the bumper to those holes. Its like armor plating for your bumper, plus you cant really see it (on a GT3 bumper at least).

You can see it in this pic http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?&autocom=registry&cmd=view_attach&type=r egistry&id=547