18" Rim Upgrade question for 2002 Boxster S
 

Hello. I just purchased a full used but not abused set of rims/ tires for my 2002 Boxster S. The sizes are Front 7.5J x18 ET50 (tires 225/40/ 18) and Rear 10J x18 ET65 (tires 265/35/ 18) Turbo Twists (came off a 2002 Carrera). I called the Porsche dealer before the purchase and they said they would fit. But when I went to put on the rear rim, it rubbed on the shock. Couldn't even tighten the lugs! I've lost faith in the dealer so I am here. Has anyone upgraded the 18's with the same size configuration? I think they will work with spacers but dont want to waste $$$ buying the wrong size again. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Rich
Charleston, SC

My 2003 S came with this option: 18" Light Alloy Carrera Wheel - $2,920

I thought mine were the same as a Carrera, thus the name. Maybe I am wrong and they are just the same design with different Offset. only thing I can think of is that it has the wrong Offset for a Boxster.

They made these wheels in sizes and offsets for the boxster and also for the Carrera. They may look the same, but they aren't. You can probably make them work on your car with spacers, however.

Those wheels had two different designs.

The fronts on the box are 7.5's and the rears are 9". The 911 got 8" fronts and 10" rears.

Why Porsche didn't design both 911 and boxster with the same wheel type has always put a big question in my mind...

Sorry, but I have always wondered why they would tool up two different wheel sizes like this...

Maybe someone can enlighten me here?

You just need some spacers to get the wheel away from the shock. I have 18" wheels on my car that are 10" wide in the rear with no problem but they were purchased with whatever the correct offset is.

The rears are likely et65 if they came off a 996. Boxsters like to be around et45-48mm, so you would need a spacer to make up the difference and push them outwards (e.g. 20mm). The back of the wheel will have the offset stamped, so just purchase a spacer that will get you to around the target range.

My 18 x 10's are et47 and I've had to tie back the e-brake cables because clearance is very tight.