[SilverSpoon]

Would like some of this group's expert advice on what will work regarding 18" wheels on a 968. My car is basically bone stock with current 16" factory wheels (which work fine for me). However I was looking over what seems to be a good deal on a set of 996 911 18" sport design wheels that are 8 or 8 1/2" wide for the front and 10"wide for the rear. Are these size wheels a doable option for a 968? Are spacers required or is there going to be a rubbing issue if 18's can be put on a stock 968. Thanks ahead of time for any advice. I am sure someone has already figured this question out. BILL

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[bob blackwell]

Bill, you should not have any trouble with the 18 inch wheels. I have run the same size on my 968 with front ET of 65mm and the rear ET of 55mm and no rubbing with no spacers required. Enjoy the added traction....... regret the added cost of the larger tires! Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

Here's a photo of my car with its 18" wheels. They are 8" wide 57 offset in front, 10" wide 58 offset in back. No spacers, just a direct bolt-on. I love the look and the feel; while some folks seem to find the ride harsh with 18" wheels, I don't find that at all - and my wife never complains about the ride, which is the ultimate test.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[JWahlsten]

There was a Porsche tech bulletin stating that we should not be using 18" wheels our cars. It had to do with the vertical loads applied to the suspensions with the increased stiffness of the shortened sidewalls. I don't know if I buy it, but it is another data point for you to consider.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Dave]

[quote name='Anchorman' post='34056' date='Apr 12 2007, 10:34 AM']my wife never complains about the ride, which is the ultimate test.[/quote]



... and the only vote that counts <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />





Which specific Porsche wheels are these? I really like them.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

The wheels are Carrera III 18". I purchased them from Wheel Enhancement with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires, 235/40ZR18 in front, 265/35ZR18 in back. I couldn't be more pleased with the look, the ride, and the handling. These are GREAT tires.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[kgain968]

Hi Anchor, did you get the run flat F1's? Also have you had any issues with fitment of the 18's and would you suggest this tire size? I also am thinking about this setup of wheels. Do you have any more pics?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[waikiki968]

[quote name='SilverSpoon' post='34050' date='Apr 11 2007, 06:43 PM']Would like some of this group's expert advice on what will work regarding 18" wheels on a 968. My car is basically bone stock with current 16" factory wheels (which work fine for me). However I was looking over what seems to be a good deal on a set of 996 911 18" sport design wheels that are 8 or 8 1/2" wide for the front and 10"wide for the rear. Are these size wheels a doable option for a 968? Are spacers required or is there going to be a rubbing issue if 18's can be put on a stock 968. Thanks ahead of time for any advice. I am sure someone has already figured this question out. BILL[/quote]



I use the Porsche Sport Classic II (optional on 993, 996, and Boxster) from WheelEnhancement.com.



Requires spacers, but look great.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[ldeprat]

I'd run 17" tops on these cars but at any rate, double check your 968 for M030 caster blocks and offset bolts. If you don't have them, put them on and have the front end realigned.



Some 968s didn't come with the M030 blocks and 17+" wheels will eventually tear out the rubber bushings in the regular castor blocks messing up your alignment.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

Kgain, I did not get the run-flats, I've heard too many stories about how they don't ride or handle as well as the "normal" tires (not specific to the F1 tires, though). What kind of photo would help you? I have lots. One additional comment on ride quality - my 968 with the 18" wheels and tires is a much more comfortable ride than a friend's 750Li with 19" wheels. Even with the suspension mods I've done, one word that cannot be applied to my car is harsh. It's quite a comfortable ride.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[PorscheDude]

Anchor,

Did you ever post pics of the new paint job?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

i too am running 18s, with no real issues (10 rear and 9 front)



tire selection plays a large role here - a stiff sidewall tire will ride more harshly than a soft sidewall tire



wheel weight and tire weight wil also play large roles - heavy wheels will ride more harshly than light ones



that being said, once i finish the camber kit design for the rear, i will be looking for a softer sidewall than the S0-3 - i have so much negative camber right now that i would bash a rim with a soft sidewall tire (done it once already) - i don't need the camber now that i have the new swaybars, so i get to come up with a kit to reduce it

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Jason Judd]

I am running 18's also...



But, I have done some suspension work on my car, so that the 9" front and 11" rear rims don't rub...



I have 295/35/18 and 315/30/18 tires...Now, those do rub a little when I make tight turns in the paddock area.



Jason

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[jeff968]

I ran 18"s on my old 968. They were OEM technology takeoffs from a friends 996. They had the Dunlop 9090 tires. They bolted right up and never rubbed. However, I felt the ride was much harsher. My new 968 has 17"s with Bridegstone tires and the rides is much calmer.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[kgain968]

Anchor and Waikiki, how much did the wheels you purchased from wheel enhancement cost? They don't havew their pices listed on site.



There was a thread here some time ago, and in it there was a picture of a silver 968 with 18" 996 Carrera 5 Spokes, does anyone know where that is? I am trying to decide between them and the 997 Carrera III's Anchor has.



Anchor I have the run flat F1 GS-D2's currently, and like them as I don't have to carry the spare, and on three occasions they saved me when I had a flat and could still drive home or to the shop. It is nice peace of mind having no likelihood of a blowout at speed as well.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[waikiki968]

[quote name='kgain968' post='42477' date='Oct 16 2007, 06:48 PM']Anchor and Waikiki, how much did the wheels you purchased from wheel enhancement cost? They don't havew their pices listed on site.



There was a thread here some time ago, and in it there was a picture of a silver 968 with 18" 996 Carrera 5 Spokes, does anyone know where that is? I am trying to decide between them and the 997 Carrera III's Anchor has.



Anchor I have the run flat F1 GS-D2's currently, and like them as I don't have to carry the spare, and on three occasions they saved me when I had a flat and could still drive home or to the shop. It is nice peace of mind having no likelihood of a blowout at speed as well.[/quote]



IIRC, wheels and tires (Yokohama) were about $3300. I have the invoice somewhere.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[kgain968]

Thanks I got a response from wheel enhancement



$2,860 for NEW factory 18" Carrera III's

$1,800 for like new factory take off 18" Carrera III's

$1,100 for new replica/aftermarket 18" Carrera III's



My car is street use only, wonder how much more the replica wheels weigh? For a savings of $1,760 it might be worth it? I wonder who would make them, Mille Miglia?



They also quoted me $680 (including mounting and balancing) for a corresponding set of Yokohama AVS ES-100 tires, any running these?



The fronts should be 235/40/ZR18 correct? They mentioned 225/40/ZR/18's

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Mark]

You can also watch eBay or places like here, rennlist, and pelicanparts for these types if things. It just takes a little patience.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[ldeprat]

[quote name='jeff968' post='42446' date='Oct 16 2007, 11:05 PM']I ran 18"s on my old 968. They were OEM technology takeoffs from a friends 996. They had the Dunlop 9090 tires. They bolted right up and never rubbed. However, I felt the ride was much harsher. My new 968 has 17"s with Bridegstone tires and the rides is much calmer.[/quote]



I agree. These cars aren't exactly scuttle-shake free like current Porsche cabrios. I find 18" wheels look nice but they make the ride worse like you say, and add unsprung weight besides not being period-correct if that matters to you.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

not out of the box, but they can be free of scuttle shake - after adding the 3 braces, and deleting the ballast weight and replacing it with the battery, i have ZERO scuttle shake now - the chassis is now also at least as stiff as the hatchback model



wheel and tire weight are the biggest factors involved here - sidewall construction is next - camber angles play in after that



there are ways around the harshness



the whole problem is the rebound cpacity of the tire - a stiff sidewall tire does not rebound well - a lot of camber puts all the load on one corner, thereby further reducing the rebound capacity - heavy wheels and/or tires, increase the load on that contact patch, further exacerbating the problem - gas shocks also add to the problem



my car is not harsh at all, but i still plan to smooth it out even more - i am adding camber kits to the rear to reduce the negative camber some more, and then i can change ot a softer sidewall tire than i have now - i will lose 3lb per tire in the process, and pick up a lot of cushioning from the new sidewall and increased contact patch - should be VERY nice

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.