Wheel fitment questions. Width and offset.

[TopElement]

Hello, I'm new here and just had some questions regarding fitting some new wheels on the car.
I would think all the 986's have the same wheelwell dimensions, but just in case, the car in question is a '00 Boxster S.
Using the Hamann front bumper and RUF sideskirts, the stock wheels start looking a bit small, and don't give the car the mean look it deserves.
I would like to put on some 18x9's up front, and 18x11's in the rear. From the little bit of info I can find, others have used 8.5 up front with 45mm offset, and 10.5 in the back with 40mm.
Does anyone know if those same offsets will work with the .5" wider wheels? I'll be using 235/40 up front, and 275/35 out back.

Thanks for any help.

[Ad Sach]

Originally posted by TopElement
I would like to put on some 18x9's up front, and 18x11's in the rear. From the little bit of info I can find, others have used 8.5 up front with 45mm offset, and 10.5 in the back with 40mm.
Does anyone know if those same offsets will work with the .5" wider wheels? I'll be using 235/40 up front, and 275/35 out back.

Thanks for any help.

You don't NEED 18x9's for 235/40 or 18x11's for 275/35. And compared to the .5 inch narrower standard Carrera sizes they are much less common, so it is possible NO ONE has tried this combo on a Boxster.

Having briefly run a 265/35 on 18x9's up front, and with multiple successful reports of 245/40s up front, your front sizes will fit.

My gut feeling is 18x11 rear is too wide. It might fit, but you don't need it for a 275/35. Unless your engine puts out GT3 torque, you aren't going to need anything wider than 275 or 285 in the rear, so an 18x11 is a fashion statement with a performance cost due to extra weight and with the potential for rubbing suspension and wheel well parts.

If you still want an 18x11 in the rear, you will probably be able to find some combination of spacer and bodywork that will work for cruising on freeways and parking at fashionable restaurants. IMO opinion , the 18x11 will be a liability on the track or canyon carving.

[phrankandbeanz]

if you really want it to look mean, get it in 19's. however this size rim will hinder performance.

[synthesis]

I have seen pics of 10.5" and 11" on the rear of a 986.

The 10.5" barely hangs out beyond the fender, the 11" looks ridicuous. Sticks out way too much. Even if you like the look, it will sandblast the wheelarch in no time.

[TopElement]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I figure that if i'm getting new wheels, I might as well stuff the widest that will fit in there. Don't want to use 19's because of the extra weight, and increased chance of damaging an expensive wheel. Want to fill the wheelwells, but without having to do body work or rubbing the coilovers. With careful offset selection, 11" wheels may fit ok. Considering that my 3 sedans tuck 10.5's in the back, can't have the sports cars being outdone!
I went ahead and ordered a wheel width and offset measuring assembly. It bolts onto the hub, and allows me to try different width and offset possibilites. Tried to put the 19x13 wheels from the 360 in the rear wells, and the tires stuck out waaay too much. Definitely can't fit 355/25/19 back there!

[synthesis]

I did some research.

Techart makes the daytona wheel in 10.5" with 42mm offset. That gives a frontspace of 3.6"

The factory turbo II wheel is 11" with 45mm offset. That gives a frontspace of 3.73"

So if you tried a set of the turbo II's you would have an extra .13" (3.3mm) of frontspace.

I think that even the techarts at 10.5" have too much frontspace. I would love to put a set of the 11" turbo II wheels out back but it will look like a matchbox toy. see pic

[FUHRIUS]

have you dropped the car?

[Adam]

^ How much did you pay to have the car lowered, labor and alll? I was interested in dropping the car until I heard it's a good deal of time and work to do so.

[FUHRIUS]

don't know if you were asking me, but mine was done by the previous owner....the reciepts showed about $1k, I believe...with the techart springs and the labor.
for reference, here's pic.

[FUHRIUS]

they're being shipped from the east coast, so they won't be here for a week or so, but I'd been looking for a dark wheel in an 18", wanted something fairly durable but still somewhat light, nd didn't want to spend the $4,500 or so it was going to take to buy Kinesis or Fikse. Sooo, I found these at brandywineporsche.com (advertised on ebay)...they didn't sell on ebay so I called them up and got them for $2k shipped. They're the boxster sized (f 7.5" 50mm offset, r 9.0" 52mm offset) carrera wheels...same size as my turbo twists (which are now for sale). I researched a bunch of wheels, and got some great info from wheelenhancement.com guys...I think this carrera wheel fits the bill of lightweight and durable. I think the black is also going to look kiiilller on my car.

[TopElement]

Originally posted by FUHRIUS
have you dropped the car?

About 1.5" all around with H&R coilovers.

Decided to go with Work Equip wheels. 18x9 45mm, and 18x11 42mm.

Will post pics when they're mounted and aligned.

[synthesis]

Originally posted by TopElement
About 1.5" all around with H&R coilovers.

Decided to go with Work Equip wheels. 18x9 45mm, and 18x11 42mm.

Will post pics when they're mounted and aligned.

Can't wait to see pics of your car with the 11's on the back.