Will 18x9 fit on the front?

[Eric523]

Originally Posted by Kroggers

Thank you Eric, we have also had the same discussion on the front wheel fitment on another forum

But now that I know that it can fit, then question that is coming up here is if it is a good idea for me to go to a wider front and rear set-up or stay as I am - what do you think Eric?

For a 3.2L Boxster, I would want more than a 225/265 pair. A 245/275 would be nice and is available, or even a 255/285 with DOT tires. It does does depend a bit on the track you run, but I would always want more than a 225 DOT(or EU equivalent street rating) to get the most out of that car in the front. You are running almost Boxster spec sizes with another 100hp, and a bit more weight I believe. So I would expect the additional footprint could be put to good use.

[Kroggers]

Thank you for the recommendations Eric. My initial plan (and a way to try and keep cost down) was to try and move my current rear wheels to the front and then go 2" wider on the rear. This would give me 18x10 on the front and 18x12 or 18x11.5 on the rear.

Do you think this would be a good fit for my car or am I starting to go to wide?

Yes, the car is a 3.2 which has been remaped to get as much power from it as possible. It is also running with a 2.5L 5 speed box with a competition LSD to get better gearing and acceleration for the tracks that we have over here...

[Kroggers]

OK, so the car is now in the body shop getting the scars from the 2012 season removed, and the front and rear fenders getting widened. I will get an extra 1.5" - 2" on the front and an extra 2" - 2.5" on the rear. This I hope will give me more options on wheel size etc.

I run with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup, and looking at available size to fit a 18" wheel I am considering going for 295/30 - 18 at the rear and 265/35 - 18 on the front.

Initial thought is to get a 18x10 wheel on the front and an 18x12 on the rear, and this leaves me with a question - what offset do I require to make the wheels fit the Boxster?

[Kroggers]

I would have thought that on a racing car you want the tread and sidewall as stable as possible in a turn?

I have the specifications from Michelin (in Swedish) and they state the following recommendations:

.- 225/40 R 18 wheel size 7,5/9
.- 235/40 R 18 wheel size 8/9,5
.- 265/35 R 18 wheel size 9/10,5
.- 285/30 R 18 wheel size 9,5/11
.- 295/30 R 18 wheel size 10/11,5

In the specifications they say to get best performance you should select a wheel in the middle, so a 285/30 would perform best on a 18x10 wheel.

So with my current 18x8 and 18x10 I could run 235/40 up front and 295/30 on the rear, but Michelin suggest this would not give best performance.

[stephen wilson]

There may be an "optimal" tire/wheel width ratio, but most people can't afford to change wheels every time they want to test a new tire setup. A bit to either side won't cause any problems.

[brooke1b]

I need some help. I found some wheels I want on this website, and want to put them on my 2002 boxster s. They are 20x9s front and back. I am running 18" stock wheels currently. Does anyone know if the 20x9s will fit, and what tires would I run on them if they did.

Here is the site of the wheels I want: PORSCHE WHEELS 20 INCH SILVER RIMS (POR-150-20-SLV)

[Johnny Danger]

You'll be hard pressed to find a knowledgeable boxster enthusiast who will give his or her approval on running 20 inch wheels, let alone a set that involves 9 inch wide fronts.

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

You'll be hard pressed to find a knowledgeable boxster enthusiast who will give his or her approval on running 20 inch wheels, let alone a set that involves 9 inch wide fronts.

Speak for yourself Johnny, you need to open your mind... Look at this tastefully done 944...

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

Speak for yourself Johnny, you need to open your mind... Look at this tastefully done 944...

I've been converted !

[brooke1b]

I hear ya, but this picture shows 20s and they look good. Many of the 2013s run 20s.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by brooke1b

I hear ya, but this picture shows 20s and they look good. Many of the 2013s run 20s.

Just because some Euro tuner shows them on a vehicle (which by the way is a 987) doesn't mean that it's a good application. Also, any of the newer Porsche vehicles that come equipped with 20 inch wheels, involve a suspension system and geometry that's been designed to accommodate them. Putting 20 inch wheels on a 986 boxster would be a disaster from both a performance, as well as a ride quality point of view. Lastly, those Techart wheels in the photo have the weight equivalent of a dump truck !

[brooke1b]

I wanted to share another bad wheel idea.