stratocaster69

I got on Porsches web site and did two side by side comparisons. The Carrera 4S and the Carrera GTS.

It shows the GTS running 1/2 inch wider rims on the front and back, but both cars using the exact same same tire size for front and back.

What advantage than does the wider GTS rims have than with the same tires that the 4S uses? Do they do this to stiffen the side wall some so it handles better or is it purely looks, or both.

Thanks

96redLT4

I think it is mainly looks but also may be a little less weight. I think the tire size, 305s in the back, are the same.
Jim

stratocaster69

Yes it showed 245s in the front for both cars Jim and 305s in the back on both cars. But the GTS showed 9 inch rims in the front and 11.5 inch in the back vs 8.5 front and 11 back on the Carrera 4S

fastdiablo

Wider rim means increased contact patch. The GTS wheel is from the Turbo S -over 500hp and awd.
What are the Gt3 wheel specs?

stratocaster69

So on the same size of tire, does the wider rim force more rubber to contact the pavement? By rolling the sides down some. Thanks

c_Gio

Eeesh... Means easier to curb rash?

stratocaster69

That brings one 1/2 inch closer to curb death for sure

96redLT4

Interesting. I did not know the front rims are wider as well. I would think the size of the contact patch from one 305 fitted rim to the next is the same however. The width of the tire is what would seem to be most important.
J

stratocaster69

Thats what I am wondering too. Unless the wider rim takes the little side roll out of the tire to make it stiffer in corners. Like pushes it out more and makes it not flex as much.

More will chime in on this I am sure. Thanks

GSIRM3

Nope, just 0.25 inch.

drcollie

I'm too lazy to go dig up the specs, but the GTS uses a center lock wheel, not the 5-lug on the "S". Simple answer - that's the size they made the center lock in, a 1/2" +/- is negligible.

LexVan

If I were + 1/2" I'd be able to go on all the rides, not just the Ferris Wheel.

008

Contact patch is a funny thing. Wider wheels/wider tires may give the capability of greater contact but weight on the axle, tire pressure and diameter all have larger roles...I'm sure a resident physicist will chime in with the reasoning but we've discussed this elsewhere.

stratocaster69

I counted the inside too, some people drive over curbs. Can u imagine!

stratocaster69

From what I researched. The wider rims give better stability and better corning on the same size tire. With the sides bulging out more on the narrower rims and the beads in essence being narrower than the sidewall width on the narrower rim, any lateral loading on the tires can deform the cross section more. So basically it helps the car corner better.

Some were saying the wider rim can force that foot print down more on the edges too but than some were saying the footprint was achieved more with air pressure and or both.