996 Wheels

[jbenekE]

I recently purchased a set of extra wheels and tires for my 2001 Boxster. They are:
Rear:996.362.128.00 (9 x 55) Tires are 225/45ZR17 Dunlop Super Sport Race
Front:996.362.124.00 (7 x55) Tires are 225/45ZR17 Dunlop Super Sport Race

When I mounted the rears, the clearance between the tire and the strut is less than a index finger thickness. I plan on running the car in DEs. Should I be concerned about the reduction in clearance, or should I install a set of spacers to increase it?

John

[mikefocke]

Same size tires on wheels that differ in width by 2 inches? Boy will that distort the tire patch, throw off handling, make dangerous. So I suspect/hope you misread the sidewall. (reread the rears)

[racer_d]

Running a small spacer would help. you may also need longer lugbolts, unless you converted the car to studs. I wish I could recall the offset on my 9x18s.. either 50 or 52mm which would make them sit towards the outside of the car by 3-5mm more than your new rims.

[J-RAD]

I'll echo the comments so far.

As to mike's concerns on the tires, you cannot have the same size tires front and rear (I doubt they'd even mount up on the rears). Trusting that was a typo or something.

Second, the offsets for the 996 are different from the Boxster. I don't recall them off hand either but I know the 996 wheels are not direct bolt on. One set, I believe it's the rears as well, require a spacer to work. How's the clearance with your calipers?

The 996 wheels really aren't the right ones for the car. They can be be made to work but you really should buy the correct wheels (ie. correct size and offsets) so as not to require a spacer, especially for DE's and HP driving.