I have 19s in the front and rub too when i turn the wheel... but imo it doesnt matter too much

Well, better news on my front, at least. Alignment is fine, but '02 C2 can't wear 235 - shop will replace with 225s (Pir P-Zero for those keeping tab). I'm surprised it makes that much of a difference. As I mentioned, I recently took ownership of this car and had several "get it right" repairs in the shop. They just replaced with what original owner had on it.

A note though, the radiator is right there at the front side of the wheel liner - was told they may have gotten deformed over time and a bulge on both sides. We looked at another 996 and same "hot spot" on it. That decreases the clearance, but really should not be an issue. A GT3 parked nearby actually had an indentation (formed, not worn) at the same place. Just fyi.

Love the car though. I still owe a picture of my new-to-me.

I've got 235/35 19s on the front of mine along with H&R lowering springs and get a bit of rub at full lock in parking lots and such.

I have a 2001 C2 with the OEM Turbo look 18" wheels..exactly like the OP (7.5" wide with 225/40/18) and my front drivers side wheel is really tight. I am going to check for rub marks tomorrow but I wouldn't be surprised if I see them.

I have rub marks on both sides. I assume whomever did the last alignment set it with as much caster as possible.

Here are a couple more pics. The paint is original and the CarFax was clean so I know that this is not due to an accident. I assume that most cars don't have this much caster adjustability and the alignment shop that a PO brought it to didn't know better? As far as the alignment, it is spot on and I don't have any shimmy or vibration even at highway speeds.

My question is that would having the caster set all the way forward "dial out or in" some aspect of the handling? I know on my E36 M3 some owners prefer additional caster when using camber plates...IIRC to dial out some understeer (which the M3 has quite a bit of in stock form).