Stowage Capacities?

Is it possible to carry the following to a driver's education weekend in a 996 Carrera WITHOUT towing a Southsport trailer? -Full-size front wheel/tire -Full-size rear wheel/tire -Toolkit -Mini-jack -Pair of jackstands -Assorted fluids -Medium size duffle bag -Tarp -Folding chair -Cooler -Helmet/driving gear I have to carry spare tire tires. I've been to too many DEs where I've gotten a flat, and the weekend was shot. The Carrera's asymmetric wheel sizes force you to carry one front and one rear. In my current E36 M3/4-door (has same size wheels all around), I carry one full-size 235/40-17-on-8.5 x 17 wheel in the spare tire well, so I have plenty of room for gear and a passenger.

Wow, let me know if you are able to include the rear wheel/tire. It might fit in the rear if you drop the rear seatbacks?

I think the critical factor is whether you are running 9, 10 or 11 at the rear and if you can fit one of the wheels in the front trunk. If you loose the space saver front spare then you do free up a lot of room. I would run out to the garage and try it but since it is soo damn hot I'll put it off for an upcoming cooler evening. With the rear seatsbacks folded down, I only think you can get 1 wheel back there. So it becomes crucial to fit one of the wheels up front. The cooler, duffer and everything else you will have to stuff into the passenger footwell, passenger seat, whatever nook and cranny is left in the back and upfront (while being careful not to dent your hood from the inside). Having just come from an E36 M3/4 myself I can relate. Perhaps a major compromise of just bringing one wheel and patch/plug the one that you don't have. A bit risky for track use but would allow you to drive home. Then there is the roofrack transport system. The guys on the other side of the atlantic show up with all sorts of contraptions on the roofs of their P-cars carrying tires and such. -Paul

Have you considered putting one rear wheel in a bag and then putting it in the passenger seat? You can get one front wheel in the back. That leaves the trunk minus spare, won't need it, to put the rest in.

I really like the idea of a 996 Carrera--instead of an E46 M3 Coupe. The lightness of the '99 996 makes for a more dynamically handling car compared with the 3450-lb behemoth that is the E46 M3 Coupe. If packing a 996 becomes a hassle, I may consider renting an aluminum trailer from my local U-Haul, and towing the 996 to the track event--of course that necessitates a pull vehicle (dammit).

I fit 4 tires in my coupe; 2 225/18 and 2 285/18 unmounted from my house to the local tire installer after i got them from tirerack. It was tight and the front pass seat was forward with a rear on it and the other three somehow in the back. It was only a short ride.

You probably could do it. One tire in the back seat, one tire in the front, and stuff everything everywhere else. Don't forget the rear parcel shelf. It's pretty deep and can accomodate something wide, so long as it's not tall. How about a 944 instead? Iknow you can fit a full set of 4 tires/wheels plus all your equipment in the back. Honestly, though, I think you are making much ado about nothing. I know you had a flat once and ruined a weekend DE, but what are the chances of that happening again? Going through all these convolutions seems way out of proportion to the risk.

You might have a point--but I like to be prepared for the worst. Checked out your C4S pics. Great action shots at Mid-Ohio. I recognize the Keyhole shot. My avatar was also taken at Mid-Ohio (wet DE with MORPCA May 11/12 '06).

tires on the seats with plastic bags and lots of cushion. everything else should fit in truck or in the rear seat. are you bringing just tires or are tire mounted? make sure you secure them with something.

Tires would be mounted on wheels.

Thanks . Those pics are 4 years old. I gotta update them. There is one thing I do when the track is far off. I make it a holiday for the family. I load up the minivan with the track wheels and tires and tools plus 4 kids with the wife, then load up the C4S with our assorted luggage. Amazing how much soft deformable luggage you can actually fit into a 911.

I have fit 4 18" wheels in my coupe, but they didn't have tires on them. I would bet "your list" would fit......but it would be a bet not a guarantee.