RallyJon

It amazes me that you so rarely hear about wheel failure.

I'm sure these various $500 sets of wheels are cast using the lost-dung method from recycled beer cans. But they still seem to hold up fine, not shatter at highway speeds, even stand up to a trackday or two. Never mind Porsches, think about all the kids in Hondas putting tires with a 1" sidewall on the cheapest wheels they can find.

Any failure is immediately posted up on every car forum on the web with the "$10 helmet for a $10 head" curmudgeons on one side and the "how big is your lip" fanbois on the other both taking shots.

I've shattered three (3) heavy, heat treated, tested, premium brand rally wheels on a single (1) stage. It's not fun. But I wouldn't hesitate to put most of these replicas on a street car. They just don't fail very often.

htny

it'll be fine, they're 18s so the extra half inch of sidewall should keep their strength from being tested too often. If they hold up well, I'll buy a set for my snows this year, so keep us posted!

htny

This is a good post, but you know what's funny is that where you hear about wheel failure is in 997 land (19s), but it's not total failure, it's just terrible but mostly repairable bending. I know literally 25 or 30 guys in both NY and LA who have bent their 997 OEM wheels, both cast and forged, but really just the 19s. I've been in a couple of my buddies' cars and asked if they realized why their steering wheels were jumping all over the place at 30 mph, and few even realize that the wheels are bent, they invariably say something (while driving straight through a pothole) like, well I just assumed that Porsches are supposed to ride rough, or that they are going to replace the suspension with PSS9s or something equally rich. I used to this very hilarious for some reason, until the first time I bent a 19" wheel (not a pothole since i dodge them like an old man in a cadillac, but was a large rock around a blind turn on a high mountain pass, so it was either run over the rock or run off the cliff!). My first thought was, bent a control arm, must have bent a control arm. haha

The most common Porsche fitment wheel I've known to crack (esp. in the cold) is amongst the most overpriced and highly prized by the 6speed set, the Techart Formula. Now have heard about 5 different sets cracking

Blackness

I had the wheels installed. I wasn't able to get a printout of the all the weights and runout measurements. One of the front wheels required rotating the tire a bit more to find the spot that required the least weight to balance. But, the worst case was about 25-30 grams. We weighed the wheels on a UPS scale and they came up ~26 1/2 lbs. and 29 3/4 lbs. front and rear respectively.

So far, I've mainly driven the car around town up to 65 mph. But, I did get on the highway between exits (~ 3 miles) and ran it up to 85 mph and they felt good. No shimmer, shake, etc. Here's a few quick pics.

tooloud10

Looks great! A couple of my turbo twists are starting to look a little shabby so maybe I'll get a set of these and use the old ones for winter wheels...

Guybrush Wilkinson

The weblink in the first post does no longer work. Could somebody post a new link to the seller´s website. I want those wheels under my 996 C2.

What is the ET-number of the wheels by the way?

SH || NC

Here. Also, check ebay; usually lots of them there as well.

Edgy01

The Fuchs version of these (made in Germany, obviously) are forged, and weigh:

Forged Turbo Wheels - 102 lbs, 12 ozs.

8.5x19" 23 lbs. 8 oz
11x19" 27 lbs. 14 oz.

You can get the Italian replicas from Wheel Dynamics. They mention (if pressed) that they are from Italy, but caviate emptor.

Blackness

For the wheels pictured on my car, the sellers website is here.

I have no affiliation with these guys, I just bought mine from them. They are in fact Chinese made. But, cosmetically they are very close to the factory wheels. They balanced up nicely and I've had no issues so far. I strictly street this car, it does not see any autox or DE's. If you're trying to stay in a 18" wheel, the factory is not an option.

Guybrush Wilkinson

Were the original wheel bolts ok with 997 turbo style replicas? I placed an order today, on a web shop in U.K. Wondered if I need new wheel bolts.

rudy1024

As long as this is the season to bump old posts, I'll make my contribution. I just ordered this set of wheels from OEWheelsllc.com. $497 for a set of four, two 18" X 8" for the front and two 18" X 10" for the rear. No tax since buying in FL and shipping to CA, shipping costs were $89... About $35/wheel to mount and balance. Should be here in two weeks, but excited enough to post after confirming the order. Pictures to follow installation.

Rudy

Edgy01

Make sure when you sell the car that you advise potential buyers that you put on Chinese wheels.

Pac996

19" 997 turbo wheels might be findable used so you wont be leaving the proverbial farm.
Always is nice to buy new though. Bought my 19" 997 turbo wheels used. Well actually they came with the car

Mathemagician

If they're safe, I see no problem whatsoever with these as a second set. Edgy, you have a different viewpoint?

rudy1024

Finally got mine mounted. In my opinion, a big upgrade from the stock twists.

Rudy

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