What's wrong with 17" wheels?
#16
As I recall, 17" was the default size around which the suspension was designed. In other words, all other things being equal, the car will handle better on 17s than 18s in real world street driving (flame away, I'm sure there will be lots of argument on this point).
Tires are a component of suspension design. Decisions are made about shock valving and damping rates based on certain assumptions about how resilient the 'passive' suspension of a tire is, and how much unsprung mass is in the wheel and tire package. The less resilient it is, the more the shock has to be designed to cope with smaller, higher frequency bumps, which forces other compromises. In addition, a bigger wheel usually means more unsprung weight, which also asks the shocks to do a job they weren't really optimized for.
A lot of 996 folks believe - and I do, too - that the 18" wheel is the best compromise between handling and looks. But on a stock suspension, it's not strictly the best handling. If you're not fussed about the looks, you can feel very good about staying on 17s, IMO.
Tires are a component of suspension design. Decisions are made about shock valving and damping rates based on certain assumptions about how resilient the 'passive' suspension of a tire is, and how much unsprung mass is in the wheel and tire package. The less resilient it is, the more the shock has to be designed to cope with smaller, higher frequency bumps, which forces other compromises. In addition, a bigger wheel usually means more unsprung weight, which also asks the shocks to do a job they weren't really optimized for.
A lot of 996 folks believe - and I do, too - that the 18" wheel is the best compromise between handling and looks. But on a stock suspension, it's not strictly the best handling. If you're not fussed about the looks, you can feel very good about staying on 17s, IMO.
#18
As I recall, 17" was the default size around which the suspension was designed. In other words, all other things being equal, the car will handle better on 17s than 18s in real world street driving (flame away, I'm sure there will be lots of argument on this point).
Tires are a component of suspension design. Decisions are made about shock valving and damping rates based on certain assumptions about how resilient the 'passive' suspension of a tire is, and how much unsprung mass is in the wheel and tire package. The less resilient it is, the more the shock has to be designed to cope with smaller, higher frequency bumps, which forces other compromises. In addition, a bigger wheel usually means more unsprung weight, which also asks the shocks to do a job they weren't really optimized for.
A lot of 996 folks believe - and I do, too - that the 18" wheel is the best compromise between handling and looks. But on a stock suspension, it's not strictly the best handling. If you're not fussed about the looks, you can feel very good about staying on 17s, IMO.
Tires are a component of suspension design. Decisions are made about shock valving and damping rates based on certain assumptions about how resilient the 'passive' suspension of a tire is, and how much unsprung mass is in the wheel and tire package. The less resilient it is, the more the shock has to be designed to cope with smaller, higher frequency bumps, which forces other compromises. In addition, a bigger wheel usually means more unsprung weight, which also asks the shocks to do a job they weren't really optimized for.
A lot of 996 folks believe - and I do, too - that the 18" wheel is the best compromise between handling and looks. But on a stock suspension, it's not strictly the best handling. If you're not fussed about the looks, you can feel very good about staying on 17s, IMO.
#19
As I recall, 17" was the default size around which the suspension was designed. In other words, all other things being equal, the car will handle better on 17s than 18s in real world street driving (flame away, I'm sure there will be lots of argument on this point).
Tires are a component of suspension design. Decisions are made about shock valving and damping rates based on certain assumptions about how resilient the 'passive' suspension of a tire is, and how much unsprung mass is in the wheel and tire package. The less resilient it is, the more the shock has to be designed to cope with smaller, higher frequency bumps, which forces other compromises. In addition, a bigger wheel usually means more unsprung weight, which also asks the shocks to do a job they weren't really optimized for.
A lot of 996 folks believe - and I do, too - that the 18" wheel is the best compromise between handling and looks. But on a stock suspension, it's not strictly the best handling. If you're not fussed about the looks, you can feel very good about staying on 17s, IMO.
Tires are a component of suspension design. Decisions are made about shock valving and damping rates based on certain assumptions about how resilient the 'passive' suspension of a tire is, and how much unsprung mass is in the wheel and tire package. The less resilient it is, the more the shock has to be designed to cope with smaller, higher frequency bumps, which forces other compromises. In addition, a bigger wheel usually means more unsprung weight, which also asks the shocks to do a job they weren't really optimized for.
A lot of 996 folks believe - and I do, too - that the 18" wheel is the best compromise between handling and looks. But on a stock suspension, it's not strictly the best handling. If you're not fussed about the looks, you can feel very good about staying on 17s, IMO.
#20
Living in an urban environment and rolling 18's, I'd almost prefer 17s. Last summer I bent a rim and trashed a sidewall while parking - never seen anything like it. Hit the curb with rear while parallel parking (super slow parking speed - <2mph). I'm thinking a higher sidewall might have prevented that.
not to be mean, but I think missing the curb would have prevented that
#22
The 3 Mk1 996 owners I know that still have 17s are saving money for 18s
For me - the visual difference is VERY BIG and I like my 18s.
When I see one with 17" wheels I just think it looks a little old school and doesn't fill out the wheel well quite enough...
For me - the visual difference is VERY BIG and I like my 18s.
When I see one with 17" wheels I just think it looks a little old school and doesn't fill out the wheel well quite enough...
#23
The problem w/ 19s is, I can't find anybody with accurate alignment specs. Loren @ renntech says they don't exist for 19s, and he uploaded a scan of the 17s & 18s ROW, etc. specs. So why do Champion Motorsport and others make these 19s without alignment specs?
QUOTE (Doug996InKC @ Nov 9 2008, 11:05 AM) *
I too have PSS9s. My wheels are Champion Motorsport 19" RG5 (staggered). Loren should I use the X74 specs, even though they're 19" wheels? Thx!
You will never find specs for the 19" wheels on a 996 series car because Porsche does not approve them.
You could use the 997 specs but that would be a little misleading also because 997 has a stiffer chassis than 996.
I think that would depend on where the PSS9's are set for ride height. If you are 30 mm below stock then use the X74 settings.
Otherwise you will likely have to adjust to the ride height, and guess the settings that work best. - Loren
I too have PSS9s. My wheels are Champion Motorsport 19" RG5 (staggered). Loren should I use the X74 specs, even though they're 19" wheels? Thx!
You will never find specs for the 19" wheels on a 996 series car because Porsche does not approve them.
You could use the 997 specs but that would be a little misleading also because 997 has a stiffer chassis than 996.
I think that would depend on where the PSS9's are set for ride height. If you are 30 mm below stock then use the X74 settings.
Otherwise you will likely have to adjust to the ride height, and guess the settings that work best. - Loren
#26
As I recall, 17" was the default size around which the suspension was designed. In other words, all other things being equal, the car will handle better on 17s than 18s in real world street driving (flame away, I'm sure there will be lots of argument on this point).
Tires are a component of suspension design. Decisions are made about shock valving and damping rates based on certain assumptions about how resilient the 'passive' suspension of a tire is, and how much unsprung mass is in the wheel and tire package. The less resilient it is, the more the shock has to be designed to cope with smaller, higher frequency bumps, which forces other compromises. In addition, a bigger wheel usually means more unsprung weight, which also asks the shocks to do a job they weren't really optimized for.
A lot of 996 folks believe - and I do, too - that the 18" wheel is the best compromise between handling and looks. But on a stock suspension, it's not strictly the best handling. If you're not fussed about the looks, you can feel very good about staying on 17s, IMO.
Tires are a component of suspension design. Decisions are made about shock valving and damping rates based on certain assumptions about how resilient the 'passive' suspension of a tire is, and how much unsprung mass is in the wheel and tire package. The less resilient it is, the more the shock has to be designed to cope with smaller, higher frequency bumps, which forces other compromises. In addition, a bigger wheel usually means more unsprung weight, which also asks the shocks to do a job they weren't really optimized for.
A lot of 996 folks believe - and I do, too - that the 18" wheel is the best compromise between handling and looks. But on a stock suspension, it's not strictly the best handling. If you're not fussed about the looks, you can feel very good about staying on 17s, IMO.
#27
#28
In fact I'm looking for another set of factory 17"s to buy if anyone selling right now!
PM me...
Doug
#29
I bought my car used, it came with 18's. Given the relatively rough roads around Seattle, had I spec'd the car from the beginning, I would have chosen 17's. I would opt for a reasonable ride and better protection for the wheel and suspension over looks. Any day.
If you live in an area with very smooth roads and you want to pay more for the wheels & tires to get a particular look, then those are entertainment dollars. If they're that entertaining, go for it.
If you live in an area with very smooth roads and you want to pay more for the wheels & tires to get a particular look, then those are entertainment dollars. If they're that entertaining, go for it.
#30
With the help of all the opinions here I bid on a set of Carrera III 5-Spoke wheels on Ebay last night and won. I decided that style was important enough to take the plunge. I'll need spacers and then decide on rubber. Can't wait to see how they look and feel.