New wheels for my 1997 Boxster

[Guest Hermosa]

Ijust purchase a set of Porsche wheels 18x8 for the front and 18x10 for the rear to update the look of my 97 Boxster. I am now wondering what size tires I should run, I have been told to run the following sizes:

Front: 225 40 18

Rear: 265 40 18

And was also told by someone the following:

Front: 235 35 18

Rear: 265 30 18

Any experience with this, I just want it to look correct, any advise would be great. The picture enclosed is the look I am going for, and the wheels I have purchased. Thank you

Edited December 24, 2007 by Hermosa

[RFM]

Wheel 8Jx18 = 235/40 ZR 18

Wheel 10Jx18 =265/40 ZR 18

ROW 997 and 987

Hope this helps.

[Topless]

That depends on your goals. If you want tires that fit well, look right and maintain your OEM speedometer readings you will want tires with an outside diameter of 25". The standard tire size for this is 225/40/18 front and 265/35/18 rear. See here for other choices: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?mak...tirePageLocQty=

[986fan]

The standard tire size for this is 225/40/18 front and 265/35/18 rear.

That's correct...........265/35-18 on the rear...........

[Tool Pants]

Cheating death on wide and 18" wheels on a 1997.... :o

[juniinc]

pretty dangerous on a 97? possibly,,, just because it was never approved,

but nothing major hasn't happened yet, lol.

I would say stick with 225/40/18 & 265/35/18

Edited December 26, 2007 by juniinc

[Guest Hermosa]

Thanks for all the help here, greatly appreciated. I see some say that it's not the best idea to put these on a 1997, can you guys give me some more info on this, first I have heard of this, that's why i turn to you guys with the experience. Thanks!

[Tool Pants]

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...mp;p=16487&

I borrowed the "cheating death" line from Grizzy on the 986forum. He has a 1997 with 19" wheels. Then there is a guy on Rennlist with a 1997 and 18" wheels and, not only that, a 3.4 liter engine conversion.

If you look at your tire sticker under the front trunk lid of your 1997 you only see 16" and 17" wheels listed. What I remember is that Porsche did not have 18" wheels for the Boxster when the Boxster first came out. 1998 was the first year 18" wheels became an option.

If you do not drive on cobblestone roads I would not worrry about it.

[Guest Hermosa]

Thanks for the info, I am learning a lot from you guys, been reading a lot on here for the past few days. Always willing to learn and taks good advise.

[mikefocke]

After the 97 model year

There was a strengthening of the suspension mounting structure specifically to support the running of 18" wheels/tires. I presume they saw some failures in their testing or else why would they have made the change. They then made the 18s optional.

18s have the reputation of providing a rougher ride and they aren't generally thought to be as good on rough roads.

That having been said, lots of people run on the street with 18S on their '97s with no issues. I wouldn't race on them on a '97.

[Guest Hermosa]

I got the new rims and tires put on today, wow, what a difference!!! It looks awesome, just what I was looking for. I painted the lug bolts semi gloss black, and I plan to put the black plastic caps over them when they arrive. The stock lugs looked really beat up so I had to do something with them. You don't even see them with these wheels.

Edited December 29, 2007 by Hermosa

[Guest Hermosa]

Another photo...

[Guest Hermosa]

Another picture

[juniinc]

Hey hermosa , so those lugs I sent U worked out OK? hahaha

she is looking pretty good, now U need to deamber everything.

She will look so much better & newer!

Another picture

[Guest carpediemgr]

my bestman is german so you have to listen from his mouth (he lives in Koln and stutgard) that germans test a car for a lot of years (maybe 6-7) before putting in to road and after to a shop vitrine. So trust germans and do what the propose dont trust sites with tunning gear they want just to sell products. so i believe 17" wheels with 205 front and 255 rear make the car turn like a train . i had a bad experiance when with my old car a 2000 lotus esprit v8 3000 with 20'' wheels was jumped over a road hole and my tyre lost all the air in 5 seconds i thanks god that i am alive :)

[Guest Hermosa]

Hey hermosa , so those lugs I sent U worked out OK? hahaha

she is looking pretty good, now U need to deamber everything.

She will look so much better & newer!

Another picture

The lug bolts worked great, thanks for getting them to me. I would love to update the lights and get rid of the amber, but that comes with a big pricetag too. I'll probably stick with what I have.

[juniinc]

any time Man.

that' why we are all here for, I believe. 1 can of nite shade tokk care of my problem ,,,

I know clear headlight can be $$$

Hey hermosa , so those lugs I sent U worked out OK? hahaha

she is looking pretty good, now U need to deamber everything.

She will look so much better & newer!

Another picture

The lug bolts worked great, thanks for getting them to me. I would love to update the lights and get rid of the amber, but that comes with a big pricetag too. I'll probably stick with what I have.

[brjak]

Hello, I would like to revitalize this thread. I have a 97 Boxster. I am looking at the following wheels. Will I have enough clearance? Are there any issues with the width. I am well aware of the Porsche bulletin concerning 18" wheels. I am more concerned about the width.

 

 

18x8 + 57 235 40 18 Michelin ps2 

18x9 + 43 265 40 18 Michelin ps2

[mikefocke]

Do what you want, it is your car.

 

But to make the record more complete, here is what Porsche found necessary to do between the '97 and '98 model years in order to safely run 18 wheels:

• Redesigned wheel wells
• Redesigned coil spring mounts
• Reinforced lower engine compartment bulkhead
• Rear wall cross-member reinforcement
• Rear axle mount reinforcement

[brjak]

 

Do what you want, it is your car.

 

But to make the record more complete, here is what Porsche found necessary to do between the '97 and '98 model years in order to safely run 18 wheels:

• Redesigned wheel wells
• Redesigned coil spring mounts
• Reinforced lower engine compartment bulkhead
• Rear wall cross-member reinforcement
• Rear axle mount reinforcement

 

Thanks for the info, I know 18" are not optimal or endorsed by porsche. I am of the risks using 18" on a 97.  I am more concerned if the wheels and tires will fit, or if spacers are needed...