Guys with 18" wheels, question - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

ekam · 08-22-2008, 10:20 AM

What rear tire size are you guys running? And what's the width of your rear wheels?

I've been doing research on getting myself a set of those Carrera 18" 5-spoke wheels but the ones for sale on ebay are 8x18 / 10x18 which is 911 sizing. I assume at least 5mm spacers for the rear is required. I believe the same wheel made for Boxster is 7.5x18 / 9x18.

My point is that running 265/35/18 on 10x18 wheel will look weird because the tires will look narrow on that size wheel. Not to mention of wheel curb if you're not careful.

Running 911 size rear - 285/30/18 = more $$$, heavier, slower acceleration.

PS: I don't think I'll be getting these until next summer, but yes I'm bored at work...!

FTD · 08-22-2008, 10:35 AM

I'm bored at work too!
I will check the size and take pics and post them. I have the 18" 'Carrera Light' wheels, which is what I think you are interested in. I personally think they are VERY good looking, being a less is more sort of person.

Thanks for giving me something to do....

FTD · 08-22-2008, 10:57 AM

Michelin Pilot Sport 265/35 ZR18
I don't know how to answer your other question.

Here's some poor quality pics.

ekam · 08-22-2008, 10:59 AM

Did they come with the car when you bought it?

These 'carrera light' wheels from Porsche come in 2 set of sizes.

For 996 - 225/40/18, 8x18" front, 285/30/18, 10x18" rear
For Boxster - 225/40/18, 7.5x18" front, 265/35/18, 9x18" rear

If you have 265 rear tires then you should have the 9x18" rears. You can tell by looking at the tires if it's too narrow for the wheels.

I think they're _perrrfect_ on a Boxster without bodykit. I also agree that less is more and these 5 spokes look totally elegant. As you can tell I'm a big 5-spoke fan and my last car also had nice clean stock 5 spoke wheels.

I also like BBS-style mesh wheels but I don't think they will look nice on a boxster without bodykit.

timothy · 08-22-2008, 11:11 AM

No spacers needed on those wheels so long as you get the 18x10 with Boxster offset. Check out the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position 265/35ZR18. I believe the tire is a little wider than most other 265/18. It's what I use.

TriGem2k · 08-22-2008, 11:46 AM

I run 18X10 rears offset at 48mm with 5mm spacers. Final offset is 43mm with a rear size of 285/30/18...

easyc · 08-22-2008, 01:06 PM

I run the 18" Carrera Lightweights on the street... in boxster ET... I run 275 toyo's in the rear. When I was researching these wheels, I was obviously looking for them in 986 ET, but they were hard to find. The 996 ET wheels have to have at least a 15mm spacer, and a good rule of thumb is stay under 275, although some people have run 285 if it is a narrow running tire type. I believe those that run 10" ~ET65 (996 size) rear wheels have to tie off the parking break line as well...

hope this helps

Boxtaboy · 08-22-2008, 01:36 PM

I run 18 inch SSR GT3 wheels with no spacers. Specs are below

Fronts 18x8 / 5-130 / ET49 - Tires 225/40
Rears 18x9.5 / 5-130/ ET43 - Tires 265/35

porsche986spyder · 08-22-2008, 03:43 PM

Boxtaboy, I love those rims!

I'm running the same but with 275/35 ZR18s in the rear. It does give you more coverage width wise. You can go as wide as the 285 but it is not necessary. Hope this helps.

Cloudsurfer · 08-22-2008, 03:43 PM

It all depends on the offset if you need spacers or not, not the width of the rim. I run 18x10 ET45 BBS wheels on my car, and its a perfect fit. Most of the Carerra wheels you see are ET65, which will require a giant 20mm spacer. Search carefully, you can find wheels that require no spacers for our cars.

As to the second part, I run a 265/35-18. A 285/30 fits, and one can argue looks better, but it will also enhance understeer.

Patrick

Boxtaboy · 08-22-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche986spyder

Boxtaboy, I love those rims!

Thanks dude. I'll trade for your bodykit.

EvilTwin · 08-22-2008, 06:09 PM

I run a 18x10 et65 new turbo wheel and I needed to run a 18mm spacer to get the final offset right. I run a Yokohama S Drive tire in the 265/35 and it fits perfect. I know that some tires do run on the large size and I would look at some of the new Goodyears if you want to run the 265 width on the 10" wheel. The new Eagle F1 All Season runs almost a full size bigger.

Ofishbein · 08-23-2008, 08:42 AM

I am running 18x8.5 with 245/40s in the front and 10x18 with 275/35s in the rear (PS2s). I'm not sure of the offsets but the wheels were custom made by CCW with the right offset so I wouldn't need spacers. I just told them that I was running stock 7.5s and 9s with 7mm and 15mm spacers and I wanted roughly the same stance with no rubbbing and no need to roll the fenders. Those guys really know their stuff.

E Kaplan · 08-25-2008, 02:36 AM

I have the 18" Light Alloy turbo look wheels on a 2000 boxster. According to the sticker on the car, $2,735.00 option in 2000. I don't think I have any spacers.

Thinking about changing my wheels. Let me know if you are interested. I can send pics if you want.

Eric

NickCats · 08-25-2008, 10:53 AM

ekam,

My car has 18's and I am running 225/40ZR18 front and 265/35RR18 rear.

Nick

ekam · 12-30-2008, 08:04 AM

So, should I pay $1200 for replicas or $3k for a new set from wheels enhancement???

70Sixter · 12-30-2008, 09:51 AM

I vote for new the real thing, maybe even used. UNLESS you do no AX, track, or spirited driving.

With replicas you never quite know what you're getting.

Jeph · 12-30-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekam

So, should I pay $1200 for replicas or $3k for a new set from wheels enhancement???

For which rims?

On the Carrera Light replicas I have, I think they look better than the real thing, and here's why: In the rear, authentic wheels have a concave look to them. The replicas are flush with the car, and stick out as if they have spacers. Basically they appear to be wider.

Chippy · 12-30-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekam

I also like BBS-style mesh wheels but I don't think they will look nice on a boxster without bodykit.

You mean like these (with no body kit)

ekam · 12-30-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chippy

You mean like these (with no body kit)

Don't get me wrong, they're very nice wheels but I think meshies break the lines on the boxster. The wheels look more aggressive than the car unless you put a kit on to balance it.

And as a general disclaimer, you can take my comment with a grain of salt. Humans not sheep so opinions makes us different.

That and the saying about everybody got ****************************s & opinions...