Let's say I have 17's....
 

And my car came with 18's originally.

And now I need tires.

Do I go 18 or 19? Why? What difference will I notice going up that much bigger?

Why is 17 a disadvantage? More rubber makes a smoother DD but less handle?

It's not which I should switch to, but should I? What's the advantage of the bigger wheel? Is the ride rougher but it handles better?

On my Cayman, I intentionally chose the 17's. The ride was exceptional, and the handling... well it was a Cayman, so no complaints at all..

Replacement time is when you really thank yourself!

This is a good test of 15", 16", 17", 18", and 19" wheels/tires. Bottom line: larger wheels yield small improvements in cornering grip at the expense of reduced acceleration, fuel economy, and ride comfort. However, larger wheels look better.

At the end of the day, you can justify whatever you want.

Effects of Upsized Wheels and Tires Tested - Tech Dept. - Car and Driver

I think the only reason to go larger is looks. If that doesn't matter to you than definitely stay with the 17's. They're light and cheap(er). From a driving standpoint you'll never miss not having 18's or 19's.

Thanks. I like my wheels and have been wondering what I was missing. If I run across another original set of 550 anneversary wheels I'll buy those.
http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...psa121791c.jpg

Love those wheels!

Thanks! That's "how she came to me". No idea where the originals went.

These show a clear difference between the back & front so you see the bigger rears from the outside view.

I've never seen another set of these and I've looked at a lot of wheels.

They look great!

They look like "Boxster III's".

Described by WE as: New for 2010 as standard equipment on base Boxster, optional on the base Cayman model. Also fits both Boxster S and Cayman S applications, without PCCB.

I WANT!

They are nice! I have never seen that wheel before. Wasn't an 18 inch stock on the 04S Special Editions?

I was lucky to find my car had the factory option of XRL 18" that I wanted.

They are a two piece wheel that was stock on the 01 911 GT3 and option for 911
and Boxster S.







http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1381851829.jpg

Hey Timco - how about a pic or two of your Cocoa interior. I have not seen one yet in person but luv the look!


Nice car!!

Timco those are some good looking wheels. A little Ferrari influence there.
I have 1 996 SE wheel for sale.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1381853518.jpg

Interior is a bit hammered and dated....
http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps99f9833d.jpg

Day I drove it home. Wires everywhere.

I did a CD holder delete so it's just a matching shelf, and had a Kenwood Excel or something like that installed. Factory Bose sound system so sub box, door speakers, dash speakers. Short shift knob. Notice it's an S model but has black face gauges. Also has special design around the tail pipe and the tips.
http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC05231.jpg
http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/DSC05229.jpg
http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...26EB19E8-1.jpg

Your wheels look great! I would stick with them. I went from 17's to 18's and my ride is still great! Tires make a big difference though in how the final ride feel is. I have always loved the coco brown interiors, I wish that had been used more.

I like the chrome rings around the gauges and the brown interior looks rich.

I love the original posters' wheels. But, I have also been looking for 18" wheels that look like the 996 wheel in this photo. I have found two different sets of four, but from everything I read, 996' wheels are too wide and will not work on a 986.

One of the sets I found was 18x8 et:50 for fronts and 18x10 et:65 for rears. Does some one know something different?