17" or 18" wheel on a 996 C4 ?

My car currently has the stock Carrera 17" wheels and I'm thinking of changing to 18" Carrera's. I don't have the sports suspension currently. Has anyone else done this? Would the 18's look silly without lowering the car? I don't want the ride to suffer much. Aesthetically, which looks the best? When (and if) it comes to resale, which setup would be most popular?

Jason Go for the 18"on every count. You won't regret it. Good luck.

Paul, Notice you're in the UK too, so you have to put up with the same roads. Assuming I get the 18" wheels, should I get the sports suspension as well? What wheels / setup do you have on your C2?

Jason, 18" wheels will look fine on a standard suspension car (see below). With regard to suspension changes what is your goal? Better handling? autocross and or track use? Are you willing to give up some ride quality for handling? Do you want the car lower?

Loren, I don't plan on any track/autocross events, but the car seems to roll a bit too much on hard cornering. Your car looks great without the sports suspension, so I suppose it's not essential to lower it for looks alone. I don't particularly want to sacrifice ride quality - how is your car's ride with the 18's?

Go with 18's. Looks much better then them silly little 17's. Loren, nice wheels but a pain to clean.

Ride quality is just a little more firm with the 18" wheels. The US Sport suspension does not lower the car but gives sportier handling (due to thicker sway bars, heaviers shocks and stiffer springs). The the ultimate (IMHO) is the ROW M030 (European sport suspension) which also lowers the car 20mm in front and 10 mm in the rear. Here is a summary of comparision (from the Porsche Panorama article): US M030 Sport Suspension Front Stabilizer 9.58% stiffer Rear Stabilizer 24.15% stiffer Front Springs 16.6% stiffer Rear Springs 28.2% stiffer Front Shocks (rebound) 21.1% softer Front Shocks (compression) 13.7% softer Rear Shocks (rebound) 26.1% stiffer Rear Shocks (compression) Same ROW M030 Sport Suspension Front Stabilizer 9.58% stiffer Rear Stabilizer 24.15% stiffer Front Springs 16.6% stiffer Rear Springs 28.2% stiffer Front Shocks (rebound) 8.1% stiffer Front Shocks (compression) 9.6% softer Rear Shocks (rebound) 36.1% stiffer Rear Shocks (compression) 15.2% stiffer

Hi All, I have done a bit of research about tire sizes using the following tire size calculators 1) <a href="http://www.csgnetwork.com/tireinfo4calc.html" target="_blank">http://www.csgnetwork.com/tireinfo4calc.html</a> 2) <a href="http://www.c5-corvette.com/tirecalc.htm" target="_blank">http://www.c5-corvette.com/tirecalc.htm</a> 3) <a href="http://www.sgmotorsports.com/tiresize.htm" target="_blank">http://www.sgmotorsports.com/tiresize.htm</a> One thing I have learnt so far is that all the sizes being suggested on this forum, i.e. 235/40/18" fr or 245/35/18" fr or 235/35/19" fr 315/25/19" re or 315/25/18" re etc conflicts with the calculation of all 3 tire calculators noted above. I am aware that they are all only coded software using a number of variables to attain certain calculations. However they all seem to have similar parameters or end definitions. For a 996TT 19" upgrade, I conclude that the best combos are 225/35fr & 305/25re. For 18" I conclude the only tire upgrade should be 305/25 on the rear - leave the fronts at 225/40. Because of the AWD system I felt particular attention had to be paid to differentiating tire parameters � for example IF you opt for 19� with 225/35fr + 315/25re then not only would your speed be different from as low as 5mph to 190mph but also the ODOMETER reading would show lower (perhaps a good thing) mileage recording�see <a href="http://www.c5-corvette.com/tirecalc.htm" target="_blank">http://www.c5-corvette.com/tirecalc.htm</a> for clarification of the calculations. I am not so sure about just using any tire size. I think particular attention needs to be paid to tire sizes for mainly street use, especially on AWD cars, and that we should all utilise all available tools (mechanical or digital) to ensure that we are indeed using the �Optimum� tire sizes. Anyone care to make comments?

Jason: We have the 18" Carreras with stock suspensions Bocky '02 Carrera C2 coupe

hi bocky pretty car! <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" /> i did a double take when i saw "c2" with all the extra stuff you put on why didn't you get a c4s? it sure looks like a c4s! <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Get the 19s for best handling & looks....these are lighter than the others as well...you wont be disappointed

Ignacio: We put the order on April 2000 (there was only rumors regarding the style and headlights) and got delivery on Sept 2001, the C4S was not available at the order or delivery date. But if I had the opportunity, I would have gone the C4S route. Bocky '02 Carrera C2 coupe

[quote]Originally posted by HRS1: <strong> Get the 19s for best handling & looks....these are lighter than the others as well...you wont be disappointed</strong><hr></blockquote> Those wheels are beautiful! Are they Champion's? WOuld you mind dropping me an e-mail and letting me know how much they ran you? Thanks!

[quote] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by HRS1: Get the 19s for best handling & looks....these are lighter than the others as well...you wont be disappointed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Those wheels are beautiful! Are they Champion's? WOuld you mind dropping me an e-mail and letting me know how much they ran you? Thanks! <hr></blockquote> I think they are Cargraphic's wheels. <a href="http://www.cargraphic.de/porsche/framesie.php?center=felgen" target="_blank">19" wheels</a>

I've got 18 inch and lowered the car, the ride is still very good. Bel996

Renato- They are from champion dealership...will run you $7,500 with new tires 305/30s..they accpt trade-ins...like when I got the 02TT (see 996tt forum "shank about your car" for pix) and you can see them on that one. trade was like $5,250..not the look for everyone as Ive found out...but thanks <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Go with the 18s. Keep the 17's and buy snow tires for the winter (if it snows near you). I drive with the 18s all year except the winter. The ride is a bit firmer, but you get that "tires stick like glue" feeling (particularly on the C4) that just isn't there with the 17" wheels. The 17's are much better, however, for snow tires in the winter season.