How much should I pay for 17" Boxster Take-offs?

The have have some curb rash but otherwise in good shape and I'm looking for some recent comps. TIA Jeff

Are they going to work with your offsets???

Yikes! Thanks for reminding me to get the part numbers and offsets so that I can confirm the fit. I guess in the back of my head I assumed the boxster wheels would fit a NB 996. Jeff

Post back with what you find and we can give you a go/no-go on the wheels.

The Boxster wheels work with spacers, and I have read they work without spacers but are somewhat "sunk" in the wheel well. If you are patient you can get very good deals on these wheels. I personally wouldn't pay more than $550 for a rough set. If you look on ebay and/or Boxster boards you can get individual wheels rather cheaply (without center caps) and build your own set. The sets go for more, but there are strays floating around. I have purchased two sets of factory wheels for my car and my wife's car. I put together both sets by buying 1-2 wheels at a time and saved substantially over buying a set. However, be aware it can take a while. My wifes BMW was easy but the Porsche took me a few months to get the wheels I wanted (did this in the spring and summer when people are getting new bigger wheels instead of thinking about smaller winter only wheels, not to mention some scratches on winter wheels didn't bother me).

I ran BoxsterS take offs on my 02 996. There is a difference between Boxster and BoxsterS wheels. And you might need spacers. Look on Rennlist Classifieds.

OK I have some numbers: These are stock factory non-turbo 17" Boxster wheels: 8.5 / 50 and 7 / 55 Will they work for winter wheels (I would prefer without spacers but I guess that is a possibility I could consider)? Thanks all for your help on this. Jeff

Dell, Thanks for the help. I will pass on these and keep an eye out for something that will fit better. Jeff

I'm sorry but this advice is bunk. The 17x8.5's with et of 50 fit just fine on the narrow body 996 and do not in fact stick out at all. In fact they actually sit 1mm further IN than the stock 17 rear is 9" with and et of 55. The fronts work just fine like Dell said and you could use a 5mm spacer to bring them to the stock looking location. Also, for the record, the 8.5 et50 also fits fine in the front wheelwell of a narrow body 996 with no rubbing or touching of any sort at full lock and as used on the track with a sticky tire. Good luck and enjoy.

Could it "work"? Of course, with some modification but it's like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. If you are going to do it, do it right. FYI....the advice is not bunk.

OK, here's the scoop: According to Porsche, 7Jx17 ET55 and 8.5Jx17 ET50 are approved winter wheel fitments for Boxster, Boxster S, Carerra 2, and Carrera 4. For summer wheel fitments, 7Jx17 ET55* and 9Jx17 ET55 are approved for the Carrera 2 and Carrera 4. *Through MY'01 and ET50 or ET55 starting with MY'02 Both rears use 255/40R17 tires. The 9" sticks out 1/4" more (+1/2" / 2) which is approx 5mm, but is inset 5mm more (55 vs 50mm offsets). A 9" rear is generally a better wheel, but both will stick out the same. You may even save a pound of unsprung weight with the 8.5". If you wanted a little less understeer this might help as well as going to 225/45s in front. I don't think this is in any way a disaster/no-go fitment. P.S. Normally, Dell is ALWAYS right, especially with his choice of car colors

**I edited my previous post to remove the incorrect info and post what PCNA stated** Thanks for the compliment. But this is one that had I lived in a winter climate or understood the immense amount of latitude PCNA has on these then I might have been "right" But I wasn't and admit that. Had I done what I noramlly do as a researcher and actually research the paper trail that notates the exact approved sizes INSTEAD of relying on my math skills to determinal the LOGICAL fitment then I would have saved myself alot of time. Oh well. You make mistakes and learn from them and try to not make the same one again. PCNA does show several different applications for the front and rear in 17" but then state that while it fits, the customer is approved to have up to a 17mm spacer on both front and rear. Based on our normal 8/50F and 10/63-65R: The 7/55 front will be in the wheel well about 10-11mm more so for appearance and track the "up to 17mm spacer" is one I would defintely take advantage of. The 8.5/50 rear will be in the wheel well about 4-5mm more so the "up tp 17mm spacer" is one I would defintely use. So, there you have it. I was wrong in that PCNA approved these wheel sizes but then allows them with "up to 17mm spacers". Sounds like they are approving 986 wheels as us on 996 with spacers for winter application. Long story short. If only for winter use, I would get them but add spacers as well. Or......just order the EXACT size wheel/tire package from a vendor and don't worry about adding spacers. ps...at least I am correct on car color

LVDell, Good write up, while I agree with you about optionally running a front spacer the rear is exactly where it needs to be already, adding a spacer just sticks it out. I have these in my garage in both 7/8.5 and 7/9 and the outer edge of the 8.5s sit exactly 1mm inward of the stock 9's. This set is a nice winter setup, I personally leave the front 7's without a spacer since that way they kick up much less road debri onto the sides of the car since they sit further in the fender as Porsche intended for Winter fittment. Kind regards, -Paul

Good point about kicking up the debris. Personally I would add either leave the rear alone as you stated or I would add a 5mm spacer (which I already have on my car to begin with). But in the front I would definitely add a spacer to increase the track up front and try to eliminate the already narrow understeering track....especially in the adverse conditions. Cheers,

Great pic! Can always use a splash of Arena Red. Is it me, or is your car getting meaner-looking over the years Another possible source of confusion is that in the 18" sizes, the 986 and 996 depart and go their separate ways (in the rear). The front suspensions are basically identical, but the rear suspensions are completely different. In the 996, the wider 18" wheels are kept roughly centered to where the 17" wheels are. In the 986, there is no additional inboard space back there, so the additional wheel width must go almost entirely outboard and generally limited to narrower wheels. Because of this, the 9" and up offsets don't match. Although not approved by Porsche, you can fit 996 18x10 rear wheels with 285/30s on a Boxster, but you need 17mm spacers. In this scenario, you only have about 1 or 2mm clearance which is down to manufacturing tolerances.

That's the slippery slope of mods and track addiction taking their toll

LOL...so how much should I pay? Only kidding. Thanks for the input. It's great having a resource like rennlist. Jeff

Not sure, hopefully others can chime in on cost.

It depends on which Boxster wheels they are. If they are the older Boxster Design/Turbo Twist wheels, they are a dime a dozen. I think I sold a set for like $425 (no curb rash, etc., either). Others like the Boxster S II wheels are the lightest of the bunch (and best looking IMHO) and go for more. It looks like you have Sport Designs in your avatar. Are these winter wheels? Maybe you can point them out: http://www.wheelenhancement.com/index.php?t=Wheels

I just happen to have my boxster 18" turbo look wheels for sale, if you want to consider 18's. They are in good condition, with some minor rash. They were stock with the car. 7.5 x 18 front offset 52 I think? 9x18 rear 50 offset. Any reasonable offer will take them. I just added carrera 5 spoke lt wts. They look WAY nice on a box. pm me if interested. Wheels are in socal.

I may have a set of 17" 996 wheels for sale if you're interested in a set with no guess work involved. They are virtually mint and can be sold with or without tires...

The ones that I found locally are the standard wheels you see all over: http://www.wheelenhancement.com/inde...elDetail&id=35 which are perfect for winter booties. I wish I knew you when you had your set Jeff

You should be able to get those for pretty much nothing. The only demand for those wheels are for winter wheels or track thrashing. You should be able to get a decent set for $400 to $500 in normal rock-chip condition, straight, no curb-rash, etc. $600 would be flawless condition with centers or delivered. I see a lot of sellers thinking they can get $1K or more for these. Only from the uninformed... Try for local/Craig's list because the shipping is a relative fortune. I think someone (Dell?) mentioned shipping stuff like this by Greyhound.

Thanks for the confirmation. I've seen them all over the board but was thinking 400-500 would be reasonable. Now I just need to find a reasonable seller Jeff

Hey Guys, I resurrecting this thread because I found another set of rims w/tires that I like at the right price. Unfortunately, the fronts are not as spec'ed by Porsche but we're used by the prior owner on a C4S (and I have a C4) so they may work. So what do you think guys, will 8.5 x 18 ET 52 fit the front of my car with (or without) spacers? Thanks, Jeff

As far as spacing. It would be like adding a 4mm spacer to a 8x18 et50 wheel. The only problem you may encounter is the reduced clearance on the inside. You will lose approx 8mm on the inside which may bring it too close to the caliper of shock/spring. Best would be to find somebody that has experimented with this size as well, just try it yourself if the wheel is local.