1997 Wheel wells

[FrankTheTank]

I have read that 1997 model has slightly different wheel wells that do not accomodate larger wheels? I was planning on doing a 18x8.5 Front and 18x10 Rear staggered setup, but want to find out if this will be feasible. Will this work? Or are the wheels wells to small? Thanks.

[Ad Sach]

There is a problem, nut not the wheel wells.

Porsche recommended 18" tires NOT be used on the 97 - then they upgraded the suspension components (control arms, bushings, etc).

The wheels will fit, but Porsche says they don't work.

[FrankTheTank]

Thank you for your help. So essentially Porsche would not put their approval on using 18" wheels because they felt their suspension components could not withstand the 18's, but in actuality, like everything else that is engineered so well with Porsche, the original design can be had with 18" wheels?!

[daman]

My 97 Boxster had 18" wheels on it from the factory. Mine has the sport package on it. This was an option when I bought it. I took the 18's off because I got tired of them. I put them on my 944 and they look great. I had those 18's on my 97 Boxster for 15,000 miles and never had a problem. Got Carrera Cups on there now. I liked them better because the offset is wider and gives my Boxster more of a "bulldog stance." My suggestion, throw the 18's on the Boxster. It'll be fine.

[FrankTheTank]

Originally posted by daman
My 97 Boxster had 18" wheels on it from the factory. Mine has the sport package on it. This was an option when I bought it. I took the 18's off because I got tired of them. I put them on my 944 and they look great. I had those 18's on my 97 Boxster for 15,000 miles and never had a problem. Got Carrera Cups on there now. I liked them better because the offset is wider and gives my Boxster more of a "bulldog stance." My suggestion, throw the 18's on the Boxster. It'll be fine.

Thanks for your input. How wide were your 18's for the front and rear? Thanks.

[Ad Sach]

Frank, As far as I know "18x8.5 Front and 18x10 Rear" is the only Boxster 18" size. They will fit all Boxster wheel wells.

I have had the 18x10 rear on the front with stock 265/35-18 tires without rubbing. The grip while turning was fantastic! Others have rubbing problems with 255s in the front. Noone has reported problems with 245 or less in the front, using a compatible rim width. Depending on the tire, a 245 tire may recommend 18x9 wheels - some 245s work on 18x8.5.

Unless you have an upgraded engine with massive torque, the 18x10s are wide enough to provide rear traction. In my experiment, running the front tire(225) on the rear provided dismal grip. Others have run up to 285 in the rear, and then one really should go to 18x11 for the sake of the tire. I think the 265/35-18" rear tire on 18x10 is the best.

There are folks who prefer the unsprung weight of 17" wheels. I prefer the crisp turn-in and wider tread of 18" wheels. 17" tires are less expensive.

[Automon]

I have 18's on my 97 and I would not change them, they are perfect. They are the same size as Sach's
Automon