Boxter Wheels and Rims
 

I have 17” original rims and tires on my 97 boxter. Looking to go up to 18 or 19. Not decided on rim style but does anyone have pics of their conversions. I would like to see what 18’s or 19’s look like with aftermarket rims and am having a difficult time finding them on internet. Specially for my year or around my year.

your year wont matter as all 986 bodies are the exact same.

https://www.google.com/search?q=boxster+18%22+wheels&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEw jwgPC8o5fwAhUEOK0KHSeJDuYQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=boxster+18%22+wheels&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQ AzoECCMQJzoECAAQGDoGCAAQCBAeUNE7WNVDYO5IaABwAHgAgA FNiAG9A5IBATeYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclie nt=img&ei=EESEYPC4O4TwtAWnkrqwDg&bih=880&biw=1920& rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS894US894

There is an issue with bigger wheels on the first model year. Can't remember the details but a search will get you there.

The rear suspension is not strong enough for wheels bigger than 17".

The change for the '98 was:
"18” wheel option with rear chassis reinforced to accept new wheels. Rear body structural change included redesigned wheel wells and coil spring mounts, lower engine compartment bulkhead, rear wall crossmember and rear axle mount reinforcements. ".

They discovered it during high speeds and racetracks.

Tires more expensive, wheels often heavier,

What Mike said. Stick with 17's on a '98

For my own knowledge does this only affect 97's? or though 2000?

I was told directly from a Porsche dealer that there is no issue with putting 18’s on a 97.

They're wrong. Dealers show time after time how little they know about their 25 year old cars.

You have a buttload of options with 17" OEM and aftermarket wheels.

Mother Porsche redesigned the '98 and newer rear structure for a reason.

Is there no way this can be done? This is not a racing car or a daily driver.

Not to be a smart azz, but sure, you can do anything you want. But figure Porsche specifically spent the time, money and other resources to redesign the system when through accidents, failures, stress tests, engineering studies, etc, they (Porsche) determined the design was inadequate to safely support an 18" wheel. So they redesigned the system. And this was after only one year worth of results on a new car. Your car is now 24 years old.

Can you get away with it? Maybe. But maybe not. Remember - your car is now 24 years old and has gone through numerous, numerous stress cycles. The rear suspension certainly isn't stronger now than it was 24 years ago when the car was new, so that fact alone should make you stop and give thought. You're wanting to add more weight, more rolling mass (both of which will wear the suspension faster) and more expensive tires.

The guys that have responded here to a person say "no", and they are all probably smarter than me about these cars. You asked a question and the collective knowledge of the group gave you an answer. What you do with it is up to you.

Why are you so hard over on 18" wheels? Just asking. There are a ton of good looking 17" wheels around.