Warning Rennlisters and users

Do not buy these wheels for your Porsche. I got these off E-bay. I was so totally pi$$ed off after I started to bolt these on and finding one thing after another wrong. First off and the most major to me, the hub I.D. is NOT hubcentric (it comes with a PLASTIC spacer, WTF). Second, the cone angle for the lug bolts is wrong, only placing a load on the outer 20% of the cone of the wheel. Third, the offset is about an INCH too wide, the outer tires rub the fenders. Fourth, the factory lug bolts are too short. Fifth, the center cap has a hole in it allowing water to get trapped in the hub. Sixth, one wheel took about a third world country of wheel weights to balance. Seventh, the holes where you bolt the center cap on had paint coating the threads and I had to scrape out the holes to get the tiny allen bolts started. I am sure I am forgetting other things. The sick part is, I was contemplating the 997S wheels or these (same exact pricing), guess which ones I should have bought. I just wanted the "lip look" sooooo bad and the pic of the aero on their page sold me. Here is some pics of my car, hope this works:

Thanks for the warning. I feel bad for you that these didn't work out, as they look really good.

Thanks for the warning. However, you should have asked here before you purchased them. These wheels have been discussed here in the past.

Aww dangit, I bought these wheels before I was writing on this forum, would of been nice to be warned.

what company did you buy them off of on E-Bay?

BTW does anyone know or experience NAD-4?

Tippy these wheels (or some very similar looking wheels) were a pretty "hot topic" about 6 to 8 months back. Those wheels had incorrect offsets for the 996 narrow body cars and stuck out beyond the fender in a similar fashion to the wheels on your car. Note to all my fellow Rennlisters: If you are going to purchase wheels that are not OEM, please... please... PLEASE ask others on this Forum for their thoughts about the fit and quality of the wheels you intend to purchase. A few posts and replies could save you time, money and a huge amount of frustration! OK, community service bulletin is over! Let's P-A-R-T-Y!

Tim - I believe it was me who stated this, I wanted to post pics to ensure what they look like.

You may have stated this, but I am recalling another 2 or 3 guys with similar problems. I'll see if I can find that thread and, if I do, I'll post a link to it here... EDIT: OK, I found the thread I was referencing� here is the link to it... https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ghlight=offset BTW, the �Tim� he is referring to is Tim Wasmer in Denver, not me. Take a close look at the pics in post #6 (wrong offset) and post #19 (better offset). The wheels in both posts (#6 & #19) look similar to your wheels.

Nice find Tim. It's unfortunate that people continue to recommend these wheels for the 996 when they are clearly a poor fit.

Agreed! When I first joined here, I didn't really "get" the "offset thing." However, with the help of many patient members here, coupled with some reading and learning on my own, I feel that I understand wheel offset and proper wheel fitting. So when someone posts a thread about offsets, or about "X" wheels, I make every effort to help them out. I do this because I remember, all too well, how confusing the "offset thing" was for me initially. This is why I posted the "Community Bulletin" above. I just want to help keep some of the newer guys from making a $1,500 - $2,500 mistake, if possible. (OK, the Newbies don't count, 'cuz I like giving them some ****! (hee hee) Just kidding!) THUMP!!! <== OK, that was me jumping down off my Soap Box! Now back to our regularly scheduled program!

Good timing on the post as I have been looking for new wheels for my 99 C2. I was looking hard at a set of Carrera wheels made in Italy to exact Porsche specifications for only $895. First I thought what a great deal but on second thought I remember two rules that have server me well: if something sounds too good to be true it probably is and you get what you pay for. I really would like to get a set 18� GT3 but my understanding is there are fitment issues with 996 NB. Thanks for the informative links.

There are no fitment issues I know of for 18" GT3 wheels....I have 19's with the same offsets, no issues....I learned that wheels and fitments are VERY subjective...what someone thinks is PERFECT...I may think its too far....So I did LOTS of research and I bought wheels with offsets that I LIKED.....I looked at those wheels but when I saw the offsets, I knew they wouldnt fit well....

Love the Car! I think black GT3 wheels would look good on my car. How much did it cost to paint them black?

Lee - you are correct. GT3 wheels will NOT fit on a NB 996. The rear offsets are too low and the wheels and tires will stick out like "Dumbo's" ears. (maybe you're not old enough to remember Dumbo). Anyway, they will stick out... a LOT! Here is a link to a GREAT site that will help you calculate the impact of changing wheel widths and offsets. I have added the link to my "Favorites" folder on my web browser. http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp They also have a Tire Size calculator http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...bmit&reset=yes Hope these help!

Are we talking about 996 GT3 wheels? they are 18x11 with a 67mm offset. I have 19x11 with a 67mm offset with NO RUBBING and the fit INSIDE the fender....I got that offset because I wanted that look....The only issue you MIGHT and I say MIGHT is INSIDE clearance...but 996 GT3 wheels will not stick out. you are confusing TT/C4S wheels with GT3 wheels....remember...the 996 GT3 is a narrow body car. This is my rear wheel....no clearance issues...

Yes, you are correct. I was "thinking" wide body (TT/C4) wheels. However, I could swear I saw some 11" GT3 wheels on fleebay a while back that had 52mm offset. Maybe they were aftermarket knock offs. Agreed, an 11" width wheel with 67mm offset would be comperable to a 10" wheel with a 54mm offset as far as the "face" or outside of the wheel is concerned. It would extend 11mm more than a 10" wide wheel with 65mm offset, which is about the maximum you can go without having it extend past the fender. As to your point on the inside clearance of that same wheel, it will have 15mm LESS clearance than the OEM 10" with 65mm offset, but still be OK unless you have set up the rear wheels to maximum negative camber.

They make the GT3 wheels in TT/C4S offsets as well.....

Correct, my car came with those stock (as an option).

Ebay sucks. It's full of crooks that will promote sell inferior products as OEM.

Buyer beware on eBay or anywhere.....I have gotten some BARGAINS on eBay...My PSS9's for one..$1400 NEW....but you have to be VERY careful.....The wheels have offsets and if the buyer doesnt do their research then its on them, not the seller....

I guess that it was the "widebody" offsets that were stuck in my mind when I replied to Lee. Some times my mind is like a steel trap.... nothin' gets in and nothin gets out!

Exactly! Unfortunately, some don't ask enough questions or don't know what questions to ask. That's what I'm hoping to resolve.

Newport/Tim, maybe somebody with a GT3 (me) should chime in and correct y'all wrt the offsets. The GT3 wheels are NOT the same as the 19" wheels you have newport. And Tim, yes the DO fit a NB car. Remember the GT3 is a NB car. FYI...... 8.5x18 et40F 11x18 et63R

gotcha...thx i was CLOSE.....horse shoes and hand grenades...lol

I have 18" Champion Forged RG5's on my 996. My wheels are in GT3 widths and offsets and they fit perfectly. Don't forget the GT3 is a Narrow Body 996. The GT3 chassis is from the 996 C4.

Yeah... me too. Speaking of grenades.... that was a nice hand grenade that Dell lobbed in here... BTW Newport.... the shrapnel that missed you.... hit me! ... and yes, I knew (know) that the GT3 is a narrow body P-car!

Yeah I was 2mm off in the front and 4mm off in the rear...lol....my wheels ar 19x8 57 with a 15mm spacer making it a 19x8 et 42mm and the rear is 19x11 et 67.....

They were grenades of love my friends.

Oh man, that makes ALL the difference!

A few comments: 1. Many aftermarket wheels are not hubcentric and require rings. This is not unusual, especially when looking at lower cost wheels, as these are. The CCW 3-piece classic wheels I have for racing wheels are drilled to match the 996 hub. I have used non-hubcentric wheels with hub rings on multiple wheels with multiple cars and had no problems. I don't use the plastic ones. I use the aluminum ones with lock wires to hold them in the wheels. This is not a point to argue. 2. With aftermarket wheels, they will vary the angle for the holes. Normally they will come with an additional set of lug nuts (Tirerack for one does this automatically), or they will make recommendations. Again, not really a point to argue with AFTERMARKET wheels. 3. The offset in the rear is obviously wrong. Did you check the offsets BEFORE you bought them? If you didn't, it is your own fault. They are obviously made for a Turbo/C4S or a 993; probably with a 50 mm offset. The offset should be 65-75mm for the rear of a narrow body 996. 4. The weight issue could be the tire or the wheel. Did you take and swap tires between wheels? Did you rotate the tire on the wheel and see if the weight followed the clocking of the tire or the wheel? The moral of this story is: 1. Don't buy cheap wheels for an expensive car. 2. Make sure what you are buying iis what you intended to buy.

Great moral to the story.

That's a great line, and I'm taking the advice to heart. Until I have the free cash to buy the OEM 18" Carrera five-spokes I want, I'll keep my stock 17" wheels. I've been thinking about cheap copies of the five-spoke, but I haven't pulled the trigger because it doesn't feel right. Now I know why.

As a person who has a FIRM grasp on offsets of wheels way before joining this forum, might I add, the seller said the wheels will fit a narrow body 996 (the pic looked like a nice tucked fit). Second, these wheels cost as much as the 997S take offs; I agree they are not HRE or better. To say aftermarket wheels you have used in the past came with spacers and different lug cones other than stock sounds like you have purchased a few sets of "cheap" wheels yourself. Not a point to argue.