Adrian Fuller

Not sure about the wheels.

I really dislike the 'S' wheels.

I was seriously considering the 19" Carrera classic wheels. However when you compare these with the standard 18" wheels on the car configerator there is really so little difference I'm not sure I can justify the cost.

I kept switching the image between 18" and 19" and back again. - Yes I can see the difference back to back but I bet only a Porsche nut could !!

I'm tempted to stay with the standard 18"'s

Also some car mags have reported better handling on the 18" wheels - ........DISCUSS !!!!

Adrian

Richard in Colorado

I can't imagine out how the 18" wheels would handle better than the 19" wheels. I would suspect that they would provide a somewhat softer ride, however. I ordered the Carrera S ("lobster fork") wheels on my 997 January build order, after obsessing on the 19" choices for a while. IMHO the Carrera S wheels more readily identify the vehicle as the new 911 over the Carrera Classic wheels.

RonCT

My order sheet has the Classic wheels for the nominal upcharge. I just don't like the stock S wheels either...

As to 18s, better ride street and track - still don't know why a few companies are changing from 18 to 19. I can only assume it's the "Bling" factor. As to tires - not many available in 19 and no R-compound I know of except the unique PSCs for the M3 CSL. Just take a look over at Tire Rack...

rss997

I hated the s wheel until I saw it in person! It is much better than the classic in 19'. Get the 19's you will enjoy them much more and they look better too!

Go with the S wheels!!!

Wachuko

I would go for the 19" Champion RG5 Modular or the RG5 Monolite Series... very nice IMHO.

WayFast #85

I washed mine for the first time today. The S wheels have one nice feature. Nice large holes to clean the rims. You can even get to the interior easily. I'll have to agree, they aren't beautiful but the 19" rims and tire profile look fantastic.

MJones

Option 403 (19" Carrera S Wheel) is currently unavailable for 997 Carrera

DJF1

Less unsprung weight = better handling
18" wheels should be lighter than the 19's.

WHile weight is one of the main factors, the section width along with the tire construction are the other two factors. In other words if you have a lighter 18" wheel with the same section width tire and the same construction ( sidewall stifness and compound) the 18" combo will be faster than the 19".

F1 wheels for example I believe they are 13" or somewhere there...

9862.5

I have just taken delivery of a 997 Carrera with 19" Carrera Classics. They are definitely the best looking wheels available for the 997. In the flesh they look noticably different to the standard Carrera wheel.

Paul Marangoni

I would go for the GT3 wheels, the Fikse Profil 10, or BBS RS-GT in 18". To each his own though...

Richard in Colorado

I have a confirmation for a January build 997 from Porsche corporate with option 403, 19" Carrera S Wheel, $1,550. Perhaps by then this option will be available.

dhud

The following is a quote from the November issue of Sports Car International regarding the 19 inch wheels. "The other issue that Porsche could not get away from is the fact that so many owners want to fit 19-inch wheels, either from Porsche's own accessory range or from aftermarket manufacturers. On the 996 this causes geometry problems... Because of this, the 997 was designed for 19-inch wheels from day one, a decision the engineers admit was a major cost factor in their suspension budget because it meant altering pickup points and making new castings like the wheel uprights and suspension arms."

Therefore, the 997 suspension geomertry and components were desinged to take advantage of 19-inch wheelsand I assume have the best handling with this setup.

I thought this might shed some light on why Porsche went with 19-inchers. IMHO I have the standard 19-inch wheels on my 997S and I agree with Santangelo, they have grown on me and now I really like them.

Paul Marangoni

I think THAT is the reason they're offering them. If it was due to better handling, they would have offered them long ago. No?

dhud

Maragoni,

Agreed.

sonny1

Right on the money Dehud,cheers,Sonny.