Wheel sizes for 98 Boxter - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

BillB5 · 12-29-2006, 06:00 AM

greetings...I am a new member and need some help with wheel sizes..I purchased a 98 Boxter with 17" boxter Sll wheels. I would like to know what other size wheels will fit on the 98 model? are 19" wheels too large? thanks for any help on this subject...

Travis · 12-29-2006, 06:13 AM

You can check out Tire Rack online and put your car information in to see what is available.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/wtpack.jsp

Boxter · 12-29-2006, 06:31 AM

I have 19"s and there are many others that also run them here but you will be cautioned by many that 19"s are too large and they carry no extra benefit. Some of the folks here have also stated that they may cause damage to the car in the long run because this model was not designed for them.

I know Grizzly has been cheating death on them for quite some time now so he could add some feedback here as well...

My experience has been nothing but good to date however I only have a few thousand miles under my belt as my tires/rims were new when I purchased the car in August.(the ride and handling are both excellent).

Do a search on wheels, or 19" wheels and you should find some more on this topic.

Good luck.

RandallNeighbour · 12-29-2006, 06:52 AM

Bill, you own a boxSter...

I have 18's on my 97, which is a no-no because the frame evidently can't handle it under extremem pressure. They fixed this in 98, so you're golden there.

I will say that my Carrera Light aftermarket 18's make for a rougher ride than my 17's but look so doggone great I don't care. 19's are just a waste of money... the rubber replacement cost factor alone should help you make that decision.

Boxter · 12-29-2006, 07:06 AM

Howdy Randall,

I cannot debate the "waste of money" comment yet because I have not driven another Boxster with 18's but have you driven one with 19's?

If so were there any noticable/appreciable differences?

If not, how can you make such a finite statement?

As far as the looks are concerned its all subjective but I really love the looks of the 19s on many of the cars on this forum that have them vs the ones that don't.

...just my 19 cents.

RandallNeighbour · 12-29-2006, 07:46 AM

Maybe I should have said that I personally think it's a waste of money (my opinion and possibly only my opinion) to put 19's on a boxster. It's sacrificially aesthetic in my opinion.

1. It does nothing for the handling from all I have read. I put 18's on mine just because my 17's were crappy aftermarket rims that were heavy.

2. It does nothing for the ride... a friend has 19's on his Boxster and his wife refuses to ride in it because it provides her with a jarring, harsh ride. He doesn't live near me so I can't say I've ridden in it, but he says it has taken "road feel" to a whole new level.

3. The choices of appropriate 19" tires on the market are a) expensive and b) limited.

But, like you said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If someone wants a boxster that has 19's or even 20's on it, go for it. I just think the cash could be better spent elsewhere on the car to improve the looks, handling or even power.

Topless · 12-29-2006, 06:30 AM

19" Wheels will fit but it doesn't leave much rubber between the rim and the road. If you have rough roads in your area the ride gets pretty punishing. Also, hit one big pothole and you've got a broken rim (I broke one on my BMW). Most guys are running 18" wheels for this reason.