iwanta996

I just purchased a 996 Targa that needs a lot of work, including a new set of wheels. The current setup is a set of MHT forged chrome 20s that don't look right or fit the wells. I found a set of used tires/wheels from an 02 Boxster, but they are 7.5" & 9" wheels. Since I'm new to 996 ownership I want to get opinions from other 911 owners about whether it's a good or bad idea to put the Boxster Carerra II wheels on the 996. My gut says don't do it, simply because the Boxster has the 2.7 engine and the 996 has the stronger 3.6 with much higher horsepower. I'm sure Porsche engineers fitted the larger wheel package to the 996 to match the torque ratios and higher HP. The build sheet on the car states that it was shipped with the 18" Carerra II wheels, and that is what I'm looking to buy. I plan to sell the car as soon as I make all needed repairs, so stay tuned as I work through the various challenges. Thanks.

cds72911

Pay attention to offsets. Many of the Boxster rims look similar but have incorrect offsets for the 996.

Torque and horsepower are not an issue. Fitting properly is.

iwanta996

Thanks CDS. The ad only shows one inside pic of the rear wheel. It has ET 52 stamped on it. Wheels are from a 2003 Boxster. I'll ask the seller for the front offsets. In your opinion would the narrower tires look odd? The Carerra II wheels are so hard to find on the used market, that I'm tempted, but I don't want to cut corners, even if the offsets are correct.

cds72911

They're out there. It's worth waiting for the right rims. I have a set of lightweight 5 spokes from my 2002 if you get stuck (I went to GT3 rims). Shipping from Vermont is the rub, not cheap...

iwanta996

Are yours the Carerra wheels? And do they have summer or all weather tires, or just bare rims?

cds72911

Mine? They are the carerra II lightweight 5 spoke wirh race rubber on them. I'd assume most people would want the tires removed and just the rims shipped.

iwanta996

Can you post photos of the face of each wheel so I can see the condition? I assume some reconditioning may be in order.

cds72911

I'm not suggesting you buy mine as your first option, I'm saying they are out there if you look for them. Mine are for sale, but not advertised, and whether or not they require reconditioning really depends on personal preferences.

I have three extra set of rims... I suspect a lot of porschophiles out there have similar collections collecting dust, unadvertised. Sometimes it isn't worth the hassle to list, deal with buyers and sell...

iwanta996

Thanks, I appreciate that... I know this thread did not start as a classified or "wanted to buy" post, and I'm not in any rush. I have found two 8" front rims and one rear 10" rim, in the Carerra II style, from different sources. I have been all over ebay, craigslist, rennlist, 6speedonline, etc. But, like you say, they are out there, like yours. Yours look to be in good condition, so could you PM me what you'd take for them? Are the centers included? I have a FedEx account, so shipping will be about $150 from your zip to mine for all four.

Otto Bonn

oops, delete

iwanta996

Go for it. I'm not ready to buy just yet.

Paul Waterloo

Here is where you can find all the details on Porsche OEM wheels. If it's a Porsche wheel, the width and offset are to the right and left on the OUTSIDE of the wheel on each side of the air fill valve. If they are not stamped there, it's not an OEM wheel.

http://www.944racing.de/wheelweights.php

If it doesn't default to english, there is a link at the top for english.

cds72911

Paul, I'm not sure that advice is accurate. I have several sets of OEM wheels without the ET stamped on the outside of the rim near the valve stem.

Paul Waterloo

I could be wrong.....but almost all wheels I have seen have the stamp. Live and learn!

Scott at Team Harco

It's more commonly a part of the mold on the inboard side of the wheel. I can confirm - I also have several wheels with it on the outside.