Another Boxster wheel tire question
10-08-2010, 10:56 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Another Boxster wheel tire question
What offset will fit the new Boxster? It currently has 17" stock wheels with the Conti 205 ZR 55 on front and 235 ZR 50 on rear. Will my 944 15mm and 23mm offset 17" rims with 225 45 and 255 40 tires work? Will the tires fit on the stock rims if the 944 wheels won't fit?
10-13-2010, 03:14 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
It's been several days with no response, so I'll provide something for someone to correct.
I think the 17" 944 wheels have significantly less offset than the 17" Boxster wheels at both ends, so the 944 wheels would stick out farther toward the fender lip. I'm not sure by how much because I don't know exactly what offsets the 17" Boxster wheels have. Offsets (and wheel widths) should be shown in raised numbers near the valve on each wheel.
I looked at the ContiSportContact 3 tire specs at the Tire Rack website to get tire size information. That shows the OEM Boxster tire sizes to have diameters of 25.9" front and 26.3" rear. But they also show a 235/50/17 with a diameter of 25.9", but I assume your rears are the 26.3" diameter.
The front and rear 944 tire sizes (225/45 and 255/40) show a 25" diameter for both. Thus, the 944 tires will be about 1" shorter than the OEM Boxster tires. This difference is close to the difference where the Boxster tire size sensors might complain by showing a warning light on the dash. I've tried about the same difference with tires on my '06 Cayman S without a complaint from the sensors, so I can only suggest that you try it to see what happens.
In terms of recommended wheel width relative to tire width, Tire Rack recommends the following: 7" to 8.5" rims for the 225/45/17 tire, and 8.5" to 10" rims for the 255/40/17 tire.
I think the 17" 944 wheels have significantly less offset than the 17" Boxster wheels at both ends, so the 944 wheels would stick out farther toward the fender lip. I'm not sure by how much because I don't know exactly what offsets the 17" Boxster wheels have. Offsets (and wheel widths) should be shown in raised numbers near the valve on each wheel.
I looked at the ContiSportContact 3 tire specs at the Tire Rack website to get tire size information. That shows the OEM Boxster tire sizes to have diameters of 25.9" front and 26.3" rear. But they also show a 235/50/17 with a diameter of 25.9", but I assume your rears are the 26.3" diameter.
The front and rear 944 tire sizes (225/45 and 255/40) show a 25" diameter for both. Thus, the 944 tires will be about 1" shorter than the OEM Boxster tires. This difference is close to the difference where the Boxster tire size sensors might complain by showing a warning light on the dash. I've tried about the same difference with tires on my '06 Cayman S without a complaint from the sensors, so I can only suggest that you try it to see what happens.
In terms of recommended wheel width relative to tire width, Tire Rack recommends the following: 7" to 8.5" rims for the 225/45/17 tire, and 8.5" to 10" rims for the 255/40/17 tire.
10-13-2010, 09:05 PM
#3
Drifting
Join Date: Nov 2003
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It *could* work if you had "late offset" 944 wheels. But the "early" offset (10-23mm) just won't work without HUGE adaptors.
What are the factory wheel widths? 7 and 8.5? (that what they were on the 17" Boxster wheels on the 986). If so, you could squeeze on the 225s up front. The 255s would be fine.
What are the factory wheel widths? 7 and 8.5? (that what they were on the 17" Boxster wheels on the 986). If so, you could squeeze on the 225s up front. The 255s would be fine.
10-14-2010, 12:52 PM
#4
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2008
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If I remember correctly the Boxster offsets for 40+mm. I suggest you buy wheels that fit the car rather than huge spacers. If you want to stick with 17" you can find lots of used ones out there for cheap from people who have upgraded to 18" or 19". You can even find 18"s. I bought a set of 4 18" Boxster 2 wheels for $600 used about 2 years ago. You should be able to find similar deals. Also a lot of people selling wheels have tires still mounted.
