Rim Size for 1997 Boxster

[1G Turn]

New Member ! Hello to Everybody ! What is the largest Rim size I can put on my Bosxter. I love the new Sport Classic but only see in a 19 in. Will they fit ? Thanks,

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by 1G Turn

New Member ! Hello to Everybody ! What is the largest Rim size I can put on my Bosxter. I love the new Sport Classic but only see in a 19 in. Will they fit ? Thanks,

A commonly shared opinion amongst boxster owners, is that the 2.5 variant cannot sustain the additional weight and load bearing that is imposed by a heavier, larger diameter wheel . Perhaps, some 2.5 owners can chime in .

[mikefocke]

Porsche found that the '97 Boxster would have problems with 18" wheels under certain situations and in '98 did a major strengthening of the body, mounts and suspension in the rear.

So I'm not so sure you want 19s. I've heard of people using 18s for daily drivers.

[1G Turn]

I had heard that there were not only fitment issues but technicial ones as your describing. I'm really trying to find Rims that look like the New Sport Classic by Fuchs in a 17 in or 18 in are they out there somewhere ?

[jonnycool]

My 97 runs fine on 19's nice to drive, not as agile but seems smoother somehow, and all I do is drive on twisty country roads. I could do with lowering mine an inch though.

[Johnny Danger]

If Porsche's reasoning for discouraging the use of larger diameter wheels on the 2.5 platform is largely in part because they feel that the additional weight and increased load bearing can compromise the vehicle's suspension; then regardless of size, this concern can be mitigated by simply utilizing a wheel set that reduces unsprung weight and rotational mass . That would be my thought .

[jonnycool]

only pics I can find at the min my hard drive went down a while back and lost most of them

[mikefocke]

Rear body structural change included redesigned wheel wells and coil spring mounts, lower engine compartment bulkhead, rear wall cross-member and rear axle mount reinforcements.

Doesn't sound to me like Porsche thought just lighter wheels was the solution as this was to allow 18" wheels, not 19" or 20".

Other downsides of larger diameter wheels are the cost of tires and the increased risk of something penetrating through the tire and destroying the wheel.

[jakell2010]

What off set are you running, I need a set of track tires and want to get something without spacers,,,,I have 25mm spacers on the rear to get my turbo twists to work

[Aron in Toronto]

The factory recommendation against using 18" or larger dia wheels was for the '97 model year only (North American market model year 1997) and it was due not only to wheel tire weight but as mentioned earlier the additional stress caused by larger dia wheels and shorter profile tires.

Simply running larger wheels with equal weights to 16" or 17" wheels will not prevent the possibility of damaging the suspension / body mounting areas that were strengthened on '98 and later years.

That said I use 18" MY02 wheels that I use in the summer for street use. I've read that the PCA Boxster tech adviser said that there is "probably" little risk in running the 18" wheels on '97s when used on the street. The suspension will see greater forces on the track regardless of what wheels sizes are used, especially when R compound tires are used, which is also not recommended by Porsche.

I’d be interested in seeing photos of the affected areas and the damaged caused by running larger wheels, so that I could monitor the condition of my car and possibly catch a potential problem early on.

Aron

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Aron in Toronto

The factory recommendation against using 18" or larger dia wheels was for the '97 model year only (North American market model year 1997) and it was due not only to wheel tire weight but as mentioned earlier the additional stress caused by larger dia wheels and shorter profile tires.

Simply running larger wheels with equal weights to 16" or 17" wheels will not prevent the possibility of damaging the suspension / body mounting areas that were strengthened on '98 and later years.

That said I use 18" MY02 wheels that I use in the summer for street use. I've read that the PCA Boxster tech adviser said that there is "probably" little risk in running the 18" wheels on '97s when used on the street. The suspension will see greater forces on the track regardless of what wheels sizes are used, especially when R compound tires are used, which is also not recommended by Porsche.

I’d be interested in seeing photos of the affected areas and the damaged caused by running larger wheels, so that I could monitor the condition of my car and possibly catch a potential problem early on.

Aron

I agree with the PCA adviser's theory. I would get some quality time underneath my car
to study the firewall & wheelwell areas so you can recognize any bending,cracking, movement of the underbody struture.

[2TrunkSteve]

I always take notice on these 17" discussions on the 1997 because I would like to see some different wheels on my car. My indy mechanic says don't do it and I when I have researched it here and on other forums I generally find the mechanics in the know always say don't. I think if I wanted the bigger wheels I probably should have picked a different year car.

18" wheels on a '97?