CL wheels - unemotional perspective please
10-09-2014, 01:17 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
CL wheels - unemotional perspective please
I'm one of the guys who has switched his order to the new GTS and need help on the CL wheel decision. I know that there are pretty visceral negative reactions to the CL wheels, but I don't know whether the negatives are pertinent to me . . . I don't track my cars . . . my dealer has replaced all tires (including one with a nail in it) in my three 911s . . . I really like the look of the CL wheels . . . and I really do not like the look of the standard wheels (a bit boring for my taste).
So for someone like me, are there reasons that I don't understand that I should consider before opting for CLs?
So for someone like me, are there reasons that I don't understand that I should consider before opting for CLs?
10-09-2014, 01:42 PM
#2
Nordschleife Master
Flat tires where the dealer can't get to you in time. Bob's in the corner has never seen CL wheels to help you in the middle of nowhere...
Anyway...if you don't track and like them,there's no issue,go ahead and order CLs.
Anyway...if you don't track and like them,there's no issue,go ahead and order CLs.
10-09-2014, 02:40 PM
#3
Racer
I like the look as well; this was one time where I went ahead and bought the wheel and tire insurance to make myself more comfortable, as I have no experience changing or working with CL.s
10-09-2014, 02:46 PM
#4
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Nice upgrade! A friend is in the same "upgrade" process.
I think you have your own answers to the CL questions.
The real question now is... MT or PDK?
I think you have your own answers to the CL questions.
The real question now is... MT or PDK?
10-09-2014, 03:00 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Isn't flat tire service covered by Porsche Roadside Assistance anyways? So I'd go for it. For those that do track their cars, what exactly is the process and why is it so dreadful?
10-09-2014, 03:05 PM
#6
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
10-09-2014, 03:12 PM
#7
I've written at length about my dislike of the CL's. But I'll temper that with the acknowledgment that my issues are because I go through so many tires.
IF you're going to use the car only on the street, and you intend to have your tire replacement done by a dealer, then the reasons against CL's dissipate.
But recognize that flats do happen, and Porsche Roadside may not be an attractive alternative. Depending on where you travel, you could end up many hours from the nearest dealer - but close to a tire shop. (That won't have tires that fit - they'll have to be ordered.) And that tire shop probably won't have a big enough torque wrench to properly reinstall your wheel.
There is a temporary work-around that's detailed in the owner's manual. I would urge you buy a collapsible breaker bar, 4' long, 1/2" head (Suncoast has them - I got mine there) and keep it in the car at all times. And keep the manual in the car also!
Do those things, accept some potential hassles - and if you like the CL's better, go ahead and get them! They're not defective wheels, they're not bad -- they're just more work. If you're OK with that then do it.
DMoore
'13 991S
'13 970GTS
IF you're going to use the car only on the street, and you intend to have your tire replacement done by a dealer, then the reasons against CL's dissipate.
But recognize that flats do happen, and Porsche Roadside may not be an attractive alternative. Depending on where you travel, you could end up many hours from the nearest dealer - but close to a tire shop. (That won't have tires that fit - they'll have to be ordered.) And that tire shop probably won't have a big enough torque wrench to properly reinstall your wheel.
There is a temporary work-around that's detailed in the owner's manual. I would urge you buy a collapsible breaker bar, 4' long, 1/2" head (Suncoast has them - I got mine there) and keep it in the car at all times. And keep the manual in the car also!
Do those things, accept some potential hassles - and if you like the CL's better, go ahead and get them! They're not defective wheels, they're not bad -- they're just more work. If you're OK with that then do it.
DMoore
'13 991S
'13 970GTS
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10-09-2014, 03:31 PM
#8
Instructor
Hinckley, I am in the same boat as you basically about the CL wheels! With that being said the new ones on the GTS do look so much better than the standard wheels, they really make the car IMO! The other benefit is since you are buying new you don't have to worry about previous damage to the CL wheels. This thread has answered a lot of my questions to and if I get the new GTS it will be with the CL wheels! My only issue is I wanted the Targa so I may just wait for the 2016 refresh to get it! I could live with the Cabriolet but I am going to wait until after the first of the year to see what 2016 updates will hopefully be! Good luck the new GTS is drop dead gorgeous and is the one to buy now for sure!!!
10-09-2014, 03:53 PM
#9
Instructor
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Would a 3 foot 1/2" breaker bar work? Or perhaps this http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/36116100.html
10-09-2014, 04:14 PM
#10
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
My only issue is I wanted the Targa so I may just wait for the 2016 refresh to get it! I could live with the Cabriolet but I am going to wait until after the first of the year to see what 2016 updates will hopefully be! Good luck the new GTS is drop dead gorgeous and is the one to buy now for sure!!!
10-09-2014, 04:29 PM
#11
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10-09-2014, 04:51 PM
#12
Instructor
D - thanks for your perspective and suggestions. It's exactly the sort of understanding I was looking for.
tejstar - thanks. I'm really excited about the GTS. I changed my order from a C4S Cab (that I wanted pretty much for the wide body) to a GTS 2 Cab. Since my C4S spec had a lot of options that are standard on the GTS, the GTS will actually cost about $3k less than the C4S. And I get a $13k powerkit thrown in as a freebie! Regarding your wait on the Targa, I owned a 996 and a 997 T4S (obviously, very different from the 991). And although I love the look of the 991 Targa, I just think there are too many downsides compared to the Cab. I'm hooked on the full vert thing now. But waiting to see what the refresh has in store can't be a bad thing. Except for the waiting of course . . .
tejstar - thanks. I'm really excited about the GTS. I changed my order from a C4S Cab (that I wanted pretty much for the wide body) to a GTS 2 Cab. Since my C4S spec had a lot of options that are standard on the GTS, the GTS will actually cost about $3k less than the C4S. And I get a $13k powerkit thrown in as a freebie! Regarding your wait on the Targa, I owned a 996 and a 997 T4S (obviously, very different from the 991). And although I love the look of the 991 Targa, I just think there are too many downsides compared to the Cab. I'm hooked on the full vert thing now. But waiting to see what the refresh has in store can't be a bad thing. Except for the waiting of course . . .
I did do a build and since I too have an option heavy build the GTS version does come out exactly 3K cheaper on my build also so it's definitely a no brainer with all the extras and even wider body!!!
Tough decisions and the wait will suck but I think I will wait until they release tech specs on the 2016 model since it will be a mid refresh!
10-09-2014, 05:45 PM
#13
Would a 3 foot 1/2" breaker bar work? Or perhaps this http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/36116100.html
DMoore
'13 991S
'13 970GTS
10-09-2014, 07:38 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
I'm one of the guys who has switched his order to the new GTS and need help on the CL wheel decision. I know that there are pretty visceral negative reactions to the CL wheels, but I don't know whether the negatives are pertinent to me . . . I don't track my cars . . . my dealer has replaced all tires (including one with a nail in it) in my three 911s . . . I really like the look of the CL wheels . . . and I really do not like the look of the standard wheels (a bit boring for my taste).
So for someone like me, are there reasons that I don't understand that I should consider before opting for CLs?
So for someone like me, are there reasons that I don't understand that I should consider before opting for CLs?
If they had offered the other 5lugs as options that are available on other 991s I might have gone that route (Classic) ...
10-09-2014, 07:39 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
I've written at length about my dislike of the CL's. But I'll temper that with the acknowledgment that my issues are because I go through so many tires.
IF you're going to use the car only on the street, and you intend to have your tire replacement done by a dealer, then the reasons against CL's dissipate.
But recognize that flats do happen, and Porsche Roadside may not be an attractive alternative. Depending on where you travel, you could end up many hours from the nearest dealer - but close to a tire shop. (That won't have tires that fit - they'll have to be ordered.) And that tire shop probably won't have a big enough torque wrench to properly reinstall your wheel.
There is a temporary work-around that's detailed in the owner's manual. I would urge you buy a collapsible breaker bar, 4' long, 1/2" head (Suncoast has them - I got mine there) and keep it in the car at all times. And keep the manual in the car also!
Do those things, accept some potential hassles - and if you like the CL's better, go ahead and get them! They're not defective wheels, they're not bad -- they're just more work. If you're OK with that then do it.
DMoore
'13 991S
'13 970GTS
IF you're going to use the car only on the street, and you intend to have your tire replacement done by a dealer, then the reasons against CL's dissipate.
But recognize that flats do happen, and Porsche Roadside may not be an attractive alternative. Depending on where you travel, you could end up many hours from the nearest dealer - but close to a tire shop. (That won't have tires that fit - they'll have to be ordered.) And that tire shop probably won't have a big enough torque wrench to properly reinstall your wheel.
There is a temporary work-around that's detailed in the owner's manual. I would urge you buy a collapsible breaker bar, 4' long, 1/2" head (Suncoast has them - I got mine there) and keep it in the car at all times. And keep the manual in the car also!
Do those things, accept some potential hassles - and if you like the CL's better, go ahead and get them! They're not defective wheels, they're not bad -- they're just more work. If you're OK with that then do it.
DMoore
'13 991S
'13 970GTS