19" Rims on 2001 Base Boxster
 

Hi, I have 19" Rims on my 2001 Base Boxster.
My mechanic says the rims are too large for the car but they are ok for now.
I plan on changing to 18" Rims when I need to replace my tires.
Does anyone see any issues with having these rims on the car for the next 5K miles ?
Thanks
TerryT

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1327423776.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1327423792.jpg

Why would your mechanic say that they're too large ?

He said that he looked up what rims were available for the 2001 Boxster and did not see any 19" Rims.

I suggest looking for a new mechanic.

Ditto. New mechanic. My 19s are just what the doctor ordered. :dance:

It would be years before Porsche started equipping their vehicles with 19 wheels .

Ok great... that is a relief! Thanks for the responses.

:D New mechanic!

I actually bought a set of 4 OEM 16" rims yesterday for $300 (with the tires that still have some life left) which I thought was a fantastic deal.

Now I have to decide whether I should flip them out or not... my wife and son say no, and that I would be crazy to do it... they like the black ones.

What do you think ?

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1327670736.jpg

19" wheels were not offered with the 986 from the factory... so your mechanic was right.

IMO 18" are the perfect size rim of the 986, The 19" rims look great on 986s with body kits,986s with out body kits just don't look right to me IMO:)

JBS986, do you think it is true the other way round too ? That 16" rims on a 986 with a body kit would look odd ?

The mechanic probably was remembering that some early (97) Boxsters had a weak body structure supporting the rear suspension and so 18 inch wheels were causing cracks in the body when the cars were racing and stressed. So he looked up the recommended wheels.

By '01 the body had been strengthened so you should be OK.

The frequent comments heard about 19"s are the expensive tires, the danger of a pothole getting through the smaller tire area to crack the rim.

That looks like a lot more tread then 5k miles left. You like the way it drives?

I had 17" on my Boxster with an aero kit and In my opinion, it looked funny. It reminded me of those Hondas you see on the road with a body kit and stock rims. Probablly because they were 8.5" wide in the rear.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...x/IMG_0708.jpg

IMO 19" seem just right for me.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...x/7c327319.jpg

Cheers

Mark

Hi Mark, you're absolutely right and exactly what I was concerned about! I see you now have a rear spoiler. I removed mine because the trunk would not stay open, how did you solve that problem ... stronger struts ?
Thanks
Terry

Yes it would, Japanese cars do this all the time, they put rims on their cars that are to small and it makes the car look odd.

Hey Terry

I replaced the struts with new stock ones from Pelican Parts and they hold the rear trunk lid with the spoiler up just fine now. I no longer have to worry about it being a guillotine when I'm digging around back there anymore. :p
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...x/49f4f5e2.jpg

Hi Mark, you car looks great! You've convinced me... I'm getting new struts and putting the spoiler back on!

*And leaving the 19" rims on.

Thanks
Terry

Nice looking. Can you tell me what aero kit you went with? it looks like just front bumper and side skirts, yeah?