18" or 19"
 

I have the factory 17" rims on my 2000 Triple black Boxster. Looking for some rims that have a 3 to 4 " lip on the rear. I want to buy some springs for it to lower it slightly also.

My queastions are...

How much ride quality difference is there between the 17" and the 19"?

Which size handles best in cornering 18" ,19" ?

If I put the springs on with the 19" will it rubb all the time?

Anyone have any suggestions on anycool rims they have seen with the lip on the rear?

Thanks
CP711


:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

If I were you, I would go with the 18s if you are going to lower it. Some people have had problems with the alighnment doing 19s and lowering. 18s are a safe bet. My rims have 4inch deep lips in the rear and 3.25 in the front. Plus the bigger rim size (19s) you go up to the more weight you will be adding to the cars axle and it will start to feel slugish on the pick up end and bog down your flywheel. Less weight is better! :cheers:

18" tires are cheaper than 19" tires.

I would only get 19's if you are planning on getting some aero. (skirts)

18s or 19s are really just a matter of personal preference. I've heard that the car handles best on 18s.

If you size your tires correctly, the 19s are no more prone to rubbing than any other size. When you push the tire size too much you start having difficulties with rubbing, as well as the feeling of sluggishness that Spyder describes. However, if you use the correct method of measurement to step up in rim size, the outside diameter of the wheel/tire combination doesn't change. The diameter of the wheel is larger, but the sidewall height of the tire is shorter. The net effect is no change in overall diameter.

There may be added weight when going with a larger wheel, but that really depends on your choice of wheel. If you choose a lightweight wheel over what you're running now, the weight of your new combination could actually be less than your current setup.

Will there be a difference in feel between the 17s and 19s? Yeah, I'm sure there will because you'll have a lot less sidewall to cushion your ride. I'm on 235 35 19s front and 275 30 19s rear and I find it completely acceptable in terms of ride comfort.

Lastly, if tire sizes are chosen correctly, lowering the car should make no difference in your choice of 18s or 19s. Again, the outside tire diameter will be the same. You'll just be sporting more rim and less tire.

How smooth are your roads? I'm already paranoid about my 18s here in Michigan, and would be scared to navigate a lot of roads if I had 19s...

Funny story (to me anyhow): Nephew buys a US spec VW GTi in Germany while stationed there, comes back to Michigan and brings his car. First upgrade is to put 17" wheels on it. I told him, "Do NOT get 17s, the sidewalls are just too short for local roads..." Well, you know kids, he has the 17s shipped to my house because I've got the jacks and air wrench and all that. We put them on and I give him one more warning to be careful about rough roads. He drives off and not 15 minutes later he calls me, "Go*#@# mo!#($^ sonofa*#*$, I just bent one of my wheels and the tire is flat." Not even 10 miles...

I perfer the 18s, 19s are too much IMO

18s and lowered, perfect combo :cheers:
http://i6.tinypic.com/6ptzxci.jpg

Seconded. I have no experience of 19's but both my sets of wheels are 18 and there are no issues on the track or road. I have lowered the car 40mm at the rear and 20mm at the front (brings it level). Handling is superb and it looks sweeeeeeet!

I had instruction from one of the leaders in the GT3 championship recently and he was amazed at the cars handling and cornering speeds.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c.../oulton30d.jpg

The rear is under compression slightly (this pic is at about 65mph and accelerating out of the corner) but it sits a fraction higher at rest.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...orsche002b.jpg

i have 19"s with eibach lowering springs.no rubbing at all. ride quality is pretty good,after a couple of cruises youll forget your running 19"s.I live in montreal canada and our roads here are probably just as bad as the dirt roads in bagdad so if i have no problems, anyone who drives on normal roads will have no problems.if i was able to put 20's on i would have.

Artic, you need to show it off, let's see the pics.

I am on 18s and like the look, but everytime I see 19s, I have wheel envy.

I went from 17's to 19's. I don't however have a 3 or 4 inch lip nor have I lowered or plan or tracking my car. There was a noticeable increase in stiffness with my new setup. I do agree with arcticnorth, after driving a few times it becomes the norm and isn't offensive at all. I just did my longest trip since the change (a 4.5 hour drive to Hilton Head for Thanksgiving) and the ride was great.

I think 18's are probably the best combination for some of the reasons mentioned previously. The particular wheel I wanted was only available in 19 inch.

If I could have got them in the UK I would have bought the same 19's as DDB. They are excellent.

here are a couple of pics i have.in my computer.19"s with toyo t1r,eibach lowering springs.

oh ohh, youre gonna make someone jealous here with those same wheels and drop :eek:

who's going to be jealous?

I won't be jealous, DJ.

Arctic North helped me choose my wheels. He had 'em first, and was nice enough to share all of his information with me. Looks better dropped, doesn't it? The Princess still says no.

o nice, i didnt know that.
but then again, you have a nice pic of your car "lowered" :D

18s preferred...mine are 8 and 10s on a H&R sport lowered platform.