At Law

I will be changing the wheels on my 997 from the "lobster claws" to a
better looking wheel.

I have been looking at HRE's, Champion, and BBS, and am a bit
hesistant about putting after-market wheels on the car.
I would like to keep the car as original as possible.

I am curious about your thoughts on buying after-markets verses
buying a set of better looking Porsche factory wheels.

RonCT

All that matters is what you like when it comes to wheels. Honestly, I wouldn't spend any $ just for the sake of changing wheels. I've got track sets, but those are purpose-driven wheel purchases. But for the street, whatever came on the car is fine by me.

Now with my Boxster S I wanted 18s and the car came with 19s. So, I was able to find a set of new take-off Cayman S 18s w/ PS2s that I picked up for $1400 and I was able to sell off the 19s that came on the car for $2k. So, in a case like that things worked out. Might I do the reverse and be out $600 to swap, I suppose if I really hated the wheels. Lobsters, however, are nice, unique, and perhaps the lightest wheel Porsche makes.

Maybe keep a watch on the forums, eBay, PCA Mart, etc. and you might come up with a bargain and then a home for the lobsters...

PHDX2

+1.

As for me, I like OEM wheels, with Carrera Classics being my favorite, followed by Turbos. Look around and buy what you like.

ADias

I think the OEM wheels define the car's personality. I like to keep my car stock, after all I liked it as a package when I saw it presented to me by the manufacturer. I see no point in changing it. Often people substitute wheels that perform worse than the originals.

drcollie

I've had plenty of aftermarket wheels on my cars, they can be fun and give your car a unique look. There's a lot of quality difference in aftermarket, and for the best wheels you want Drop Forged, not Cast. You'll pay more for forged, but they're better made, much stronger, and more reliable.

rodsky

I really like my OEM 997.2S wheels and wouldnt change them. But wheels are a personal preference. Like the HRE Monoblok P40's when it comes to custom wheels.

lig

I really don't care for the look of the OEM wheels except for the new Sport Classics. Absolutely love them.

I replaced my Sport Designs with some lighter forged 3 piece wheels from the aftermarket and mounted my track tires on the OEM wheels. I like the look of the IForged wheels better as well as IMO they really highlight the PCCBs. Win/Win to use a well worn cliche.

Axxlrod

Be unique. Change em. All that matters is that you like the way your car looks.

rijowysock

i like oem wheels, but for the money needed to "upgrade" via porsche i could and did easily buy wheels+tires+tpms sensors and now i have oem 18" and additional full set of 19",

so it was: get 19" oem wheels.....

or get oem 18" and aftermarket 19" as well,

i went with the latter... and bought them primarily for looks but also was mindful of weights and fitment as when i lowered the car i then needed a wider stance to fill the fenders.

Bob in NY

I bought HRE P40's and like the look over the turbo wheels. I too like oem wheels but making the car your own is part of the fun of owning a Porsche. It's your money, get what you like.

JoeShark

If I would have had any OEM wheel other than the lobsters, I probably wouldn't have changed wheels (at least not as quickly as I did). However, since I really wasn't a fan of the lobsters at all, I looked at my aftermarket options and figured for as much as I spent on the car, I didn't want to skimp on the wheels. Based on their reputation, quality, weight, and design, I went with HRE P40's.

Edgy01

I ordered the widest OEM wheels ever made for a 911 and thus got the Carrera Sports--11.5 in back, and 8.5 in front. It was all about size. I hope to soon be putting the Fuchs USA rims on the car. Single piece forged rims that look just like the original Fuchs windmill forged alloys from the good old days of the 911. They will be dimensionally the same as what I have, but should come in lighter due to the forged manufacturing (vice pressure cast.)

GHills

i like HREs almost as much as I dislike OEM turbo's

At Law

No offense to any turbo wheel lovers. However, I have never
cared for the turbo wheels either.

points

Champion RS98 was my choice after much shopping. Very light and far better than the lobsters I changed em out for.