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I convinced the wife i need new wheels since I need tires anyway but trying to keep it reasonable. In the $200 and under per wheel range. I am looking for something like below this but need some help verifying offsets and what tire to select. The research I've done so far is that I can go up to a 18" wheel which would help fill the void left by the current 16" wheels. I know Porsche released a statement that you cant do 18" wheels but im putting that aside as I know it can be done. It sounds like the right wheels are
Front: 18x8
Back 18x10
Bolt Pattern; 5x130
But I could really use some help figuring out offsets and what tires I would want to run to prevent any rubbing. I know this topic has been visited but I am looking for people that have run this setup successfully.
Nominal offsets for 18" wheels are ET50 (or ET52) for 18x8 and ET65 for 18x10, which is what I run on my 1990 944 S2, and have been for more than 70K miles without any issue. Aside from the looks, I'm not sure you will like 18" wheels on a 968 cab as it will increase ride harshness considerably, especially if you end up with a heavy set of wheels, which it seems you will for your low budget.
My opinion - most of the 18" wheels I've seen on 944/968 cars seem out of place since the car itself isn't that big. The super small sidewalls don't help either. 17" with a 40 sidwall seems to be the sweet spot for overall continuity with the rest of the car.
At $200 a wheel, you're probably better off finding a nice set of something used that goes with the look you want.
My opinion - most of the 18" wheels I've seen on 944/968 cars seem out of place since the car itself isn't that big. The super small sidewalls don't help either....
+1 on the 17’s over the 18’s because of the far superior ride on a street car.
Ftw:
Front: 225-45x17 tires on 7 or 7.5in wide wheels.
Rear: 255-40x17 tires on 9in wide wheels.
By chance there are some original Porsche options in your price range for sale in these sizes on the other forum. Usually a few aftermarket also available over there too.
+1 on the 17’s over the 18’s because of the far superior ride on a street car.
Ftw:
Front: 225-45x17 tires on 7 or 7.5in wide wheels.
Rear: 255-40x17 tires on 9in wide wheels.
By chance there are some original Porsche options in your price range for sale in these sizes on the other forum. Usually a few aftermarket also available over there too.
thanks guys! I will prob go with the 17x 7.5 front and 17x9 in the rear. I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the correct offset though. Anyone know what I should be shooting for if I went with these size wheels?
5x130 bolt pattern
17” x 7 or 7.5 wheels are like trying to find a unicorn!
I didn’t realize options were so limited, and tire rack won’t let u search by wheel dims. If anyone knows or find a wheel like on the black 944 above and in the right size please please let me know. I’m debating not doing anything now with so few options. It’s unfortunate such a cool car has so few options
... Anyone know what I should be shooting for if I went with these size wheels?
I believe the 968 wheel offset is the same as the later 944, so ~et52. Obviously that changes with wheel width, so there is no firm offset anyone can give you without knowing the width of your new wheels.
You can use this site to enter your current and proposed wheels to see if they will fit.
thanks guys! I will prob go with the 17x 7.5 front and 17x9 in the rear. I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the correct offset though. Anyone know what I should be shooting for if I went with these size wheels?
Porsche wheels, such as 996 17" turbo twist came in 7x17, ET55 and 7.5x17, ET65. The matching rears were 9x17, ET55.
but the bolt pattern is listed as 5-112. Am I missing something? Can you use these without spacers/adapters or do that many people run adapters?
5x112 is VW/Audi size. Searching on Tirerack yields only one set of 17" available and they are in your budget, but not really the style you are looking for. IMO you should increase your budget and go with genuine Porsche wheels (used), or keep what you have. i have a very nice set of 18" hollow spoke 993 Technology wheels I may be willing to part with, but they would cost your at least double your budget.
5x130 bolt pattern
17” x 7 or 7.5 wheels are like trying to find a unicorn!
I didn’t realize options were so limited, and tire rack won’t let u search by wheel dims. If anyone knows or find a wheel like on the black 944 above and in the right size please please let me know. I’m debating not doing anything now with so few options. It’s unfortunate such a cool car has so few options
If you have a chance, you should jump on the Cup 2 wheels from the Pelican forum. I know it's a bit over what you wanted to spend, but they are correct for the 968.
If you have a chance, you should jump on the Cup 2 wheels from the Pelican forum. I know it's a bit over what you wanted to spend, but they are correct for the 968.
thanks for the heads up! I found a set of turbo twist 17”s that the seller will part with for $450. Some light curb rash but I will likely have them redone. Anyone see any issues with these? I don’t love the cup 2s so this would be an improvement and well in my price range if they fit.
Since you need new tires perhaps you can up your budget and buy some used rims with decent tires. To find a decent set of rims, as you are discovering, is very hard since the bolt pattern is only for Porsche. I just picked up this set for my '91 cabriolet
They are called "sport classic" and come in 7x17 and 9x17. These, and the turbo twists 17", are the two Porsche wheels that I like. Everyone has different tastes though. There are some nice aftermarket rims but they are often more then Porsche rims. If you look hard and long enough you can find a deal here and there. If those turbo twists you showed were real that would have been a fantastic deal. Put a search on ebay for 17" Porsche rims, I have had that search for several years when this set I bought came up. They were listed as a no reserve 7 day auction starting at $250 - no shipping, pick up in Tenn. I was in the process of moving from NJ to AZ when they came up. I drive right through Tenn. Porsche parts should never be listed as a no reserve auction! When I saw the listing I figured it would be extremely rare for someone in Tenn wanting these rims that week. I was right and was the only bidder! It took me several years searching for this set to get this deal. Normally they go for more then double your initial budget.
My advice is to familiarize yourself with the available options, there are not many, and pick the rims you like. Then start searching for them. Even if you are willing to pay full price for them it may take a while for them to come up for sale - they are relatively rare. There is an aftermarket set I really like but only one set has come up for sale in three years, sold by the time I called. If you want to pay $250 (My budget was $1600 for these rims, just got lucky) get ready to wait for years.