19" Wheels for '99 996

I am interested in upgrading my wheels on my 996 and considering 19" wheels. Are there any drawbacks other than caution with potholes? I am wondering if there will be rubbing or any effect on the speedometer? I'd appreciate from someone who has them. Thanks! Gerard

I got them.. No problem with them. As long as the rolling radius is +/- 1.5% the same speedo will be unaffected. In some cases if the wheel is slightly larger or smaller it makes the speedo more accurate cos they always have a speedo showing more speed then you are 'actually' doing.

Just to clarify if you go with a larger diameter on rims & tires combined then your tachometer will register your vehicle going slower than it actually is��

Thanks for the information!

No problem.... I'm going to have a set of 19" HRE wheels mounted by next week. I'm not sure if I'll put them on the car or if I'll just send them to the shop to get powder coated and polished. If so I'll probably off the 18" black face sport design wheels... -Eli

I just spoke to this guy at UPon3 where I will probably buy a set of 19" iForge Swifts (10.5 rear and 8.5 front) with 295 tires rear and 235 tires front, and I'm told this doesn't change the diameter at all, only the tire wall. I am told he runs the same on his car with no problems. Looks like I'm going in that direction. Can't wait, but live in Minnesota and the snow storm that we're having now makes me think it's going to be a least a few months. Thanks.

Actually if you do the math the 295/30/19 will be close to an inch larger than OE tires. Check the formula at Tirerack. Its about 25.9 inches and a 285/30/18 is about 24.8 inches. If you want tires closer to you OE size use the 275/30/19 or the 315/25/19 that I use. I have no rubbing problems, but my car is lowered with the ROW M030, so you might have problem if your car is slammed. The 19" are for looks as I actually find no handling benefits from them.

Eddie, Thanks for the note. Actually I'm having H&R Sport Springs installed next week and I understand the drop is about 1.25" (f & r). Do you have any pictures that you can share with me of your ride with the setup? Also, does your setup affect your car in any way? Thanks again. Gerard (gergonzalezatmsndotcom)

Unless you live in a place with silky smooth roads you are asking for problems, installing just lowering springs is not a good way to go, if you want to lower your car, you should do a full suspension change where shocks and springs are matched properly, and then adding 19" wheels into the picture will affect handling and your ride in a negative manner, my advice is to look into a better suspension setup and stick with a 18" application.

No problems so far, the ride is stiffer. I don't use them at the track. As far as just changing the springs, yes they will not handle the best compared to using a suspension like a X74 or M030, or PSS9, but it will not be negative. It actually will handle a little better than stock. The OE shocks are actually stiffer in the front than a US version M030, but about 20% softer in the rear. The spring rate on the H&R are about 10% stiffer than the M030, but its hard to say since they are progressive. I have heard that sport spring will make the OE shock wear out premature, so that will be a concern. If you have the money now I would get some Bilstein Sport shocks now so you won't pay twice for installation if the OE wears out. It will handle better too, but don't worry that just putting in the springs is detrimental to the car. It will work fine if your just driving on the street.

Thanks again Eddie. I think I'll just be prudent and add the schocks.

Just to clarify if you go with a larger diameter on rims & tires combined then your tachometer will register your vehicle going slower than it actually is�� You meant SPEEDOMETER will be different, didn't you? Tach will not be affected.

I understood that. I checked with the retailer who told me that 290/30 for the rear would work but I went to Tire Rack as suggested and found that to not be the case. As I understand it the 275/30/19 or the 315/25/19 would work without affecting the speedometer.

H&R springs. 19" Cargraphic wheels (rear is 315). Car rides very nicely. No complaints. No rubbing.

Jeffry, Your car is way too cool. Same color as mine and love the wheels. Up until seeing your car I was convinced on the black centers (iForge Swift) but now I don't know. So as for some of the other posts with issues on the speedometer, no issues with yours? Any rubbing issues? Thanks.

Jeffry, One other question -- are those 10.5 on the rears? Thanks again. Gerard

Thanks Gerard! I have a friend with a seal grey GT2 and black center TechArt wheels. There is no doubt that the black centers on a grey car look incredible. That might have been my second choice had I not fallen in love with the Cargraphic wheels. I haven't noticed any major difference in the speedo, however, I have not officially tested it nor even ran alongside another car to see if it is off. As for rubbing I have not experienced any major rubbing. There might be some very slight rubbing if I am going up or down a driveway with the wheel turned all the way. It is very rare that I am doing that but that is the only time I can hear a light scuffing sound from the front. I actually turned the wheels to look into the wheel wells to see where it was rubbing and could not see any specific spot where it looked like there was any hard contact.

It's actually 11" believe it or not!

Great. Thanks for the information. I'll have to look into those.

has anyone ever attempted 20" on a 996? there looks to be plenty of room in there.. of course, it would be for show only, and prolly look way too big.. and i can't imagine the ride would be too good.. just curious if anyone has a pic of 20s on a 996 to see how it looks :>

Dude, WHY?

20" on a 996, thats a good one, proper tires arent available anyway.

calm down peoples... it was simply a question as i've never seen 20s on a 996.. even though i've seen some horrid paint jobs, i'd think someone, as ghetto as it may be, would have attempted it.. i'm sure 20s would fit, just was curious if a pic with one existed out there. if you can fit 20" rims (which you can) on a 98-2004 slk, i'd think they would definately fit on a 996, as bad as it may look... i have 18s on mine, and that's plenty for me...

No problema. Just thought it was funny. Thanks.

jeffrey has the increase in rubber in the rear changed the handling of the car much - or have you also increased the rubber at the frornt end? I would expect you to notice less power oversteer with the larger rear tyres.

Here is the 997 with 20's from TechArt...sick! If you want the hook up on IFORGED...PM me.

I've been told that you can't go wider than 10" on narrow body 996. If you use 10.5 or 11s, what offset do you need?

please disregaed my comment about 20" wheels looking "ghetto", although i think the body kit is necessary in this case. that 997 is very very nice.. those 20s are hot

John - I just went with the recommended tires sizes from Cargraphic. Depsite what you might regarding less power over steer - I haven't noticed it. Fronts are 245.

Offset is 62 with the 11" wheel. Here is the link to Cargraphic's website that shows the wheel widths and offsets: http://www.cargraphic.com/index.php?...,715,751,1486/

Thanks for the link. I'm sold!