want to get new rims, but i dont know anything about sizing

I have stock alloy 18's on the MY03 coup. I want to get 19" rims. What other sizing is there that I have to watch out for to make sure my rims fit, dont stick out, dont rub when i turn, etc? i'm completely a newb so let me know

Great questions. I also want 19s, even though some say it's not recommended on 996s. I looked at HRE but I don't know what offset to get so that they line up perfectly along the wheel wells.

It is true that Porsche doesn't recommend 19" diameter wheels for the 996, so you won't find an official recommendation for wheel width, offset or tire size. That being said, many people have moved to 19" wheels, so hopefully you can find someone here who you trust that is willing to share their experience. Personally, I think there are too many downsides to a 19" wheel and I wouldn't put wheels that large on my 996. They look great, but there are other things that I prioritize above appearance alone. Good luck with your search.

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+1 ... I'll be going from 17s to 18s in the spring, but the 18s are about as shallow a sidewall as I want to run on our bumpy Northeastern roads. Also, I'd rather run a stock fitment and avoid spacers, extra-length lug bolts, etc. FWIW, there's a pretty good chart on wheel fitment here: http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/inf..._chart/porsche

Tirerack.com recommends the following in 19" wheels for a 2003 C2: Front: 8.5x19, offset 53 mm with a 235/3519 tire Rear: 10x19, offset 61 mm with a 275/30-19 tire or a 11x19, offset 65 mm with a 275/30-19 tire

Yeah, screw you guys. I run 22's on mine.

Welcome Josh. Enjoyed your first post about the tire size deal. Could you please give your thoughts on oil preference and the IMSB problem? At least post a few 100 comments before your try to replace me.

Josh, just because you are using 19" wheels doesn't mean you are an official wheel expert, but it's nice that you share your experience. When people ask for advice on this board, that's what they get. Advice comes with an opinion. It's up to the original poster to take it or leave it. Here are some facts to consider when upsizing wheels: - 19" wheels are typically heavier than 18" wheels. This isn't always the case, but it is frequently the case. - 19" wheels have more rotating mass on the edges of the wheel, further from the center of rotation than 18" wheels. This translates to greater gyroscopic stabilization force when the wheel is spinning. This force is translated exponentially to the steering, suspension and brake components of your car when driving. In performance driving situations such as track days, the forces are considerable. For this reason, Porsche upgraded the suspension components of the 997 to handle the additional forces generated by 19" wheels. - Many people have reported rubbing issues with certain combinations of wheel offsets, suspensions and diameters. This leaves a prospective wheel buyer with the choice between buying a wheel that Porsche recommends and that he knows will fit, or taking advice from a "wheel expert" with two posts on an online forum. The latter choice doesn't inspire much confidence when you're about to spend a few thousand dollars on new wheels. - Many people report that they are upset with the ride quality of their 996 after upsizing to 19" wheels. - There are not any recommended 19" wheel or tire sizes for the 996 from Porsche. After considering these facts, the question is no longer: could you put 19" or larger wheels on a 996? The question is: should you put 19" wheels on a 996? Personally, I bought my Porsche for performance, not to "show off" or to prioritize appearance over performance. That being said, I respect the opinions of people who prioritize a certain look over performance. If you want to do that to your car, then go for it. However, if you are going to come in here and disrespect the opinions of the others on this board, then they will not respect you or your opinions. So, it's great to have your input, but also great to have the input of those who don't agree with you.

Hey sheriff, you might want to get that keyboard cleaned up right away. I hear that high levels of alcohol are hard on electronics. I think it messed up your grammar and spell check too. Another theory based on Josh's total posts and join date - I think I smell another troll. It's gotten a bit boring in here again. KK, what were you doing at 10:34 last night?

how about using 18" rims? I forgot that i'd have to upsize my tires as well and at $250/tire I dont want to do that haha i'll stick to 18's. So what's an offset? how do i measure it? or what numbers do i look for in rim ads? thanks!

Sub, Im assuming you have an 03 NB 996. If so the best looking (IMHO) wheels you can buy are the Porsche OEM light weight 5 spoke. They look fantastic in either grey or polished. You also dont have to worry about any fitment issues. Perfect wheels for a NB I just wish they would work on mine.

i have those (not polished) i was going to get the GT3 style rims in white or red, havent decided yet

Wheel offset is the distance between the mounting surface of the wheel at the hub and the "center" of the wheel (between the inside and outside faces). This is important because it determines where the wheel will sit relative to the fender, suspension, etc. if you choose the wrong offset, the wheel will either be tucked into the fender or it will protrude, depending on which way you err. Improper offset can cause rubbing issues and other problems, aside from aesthetic issues. Offset is measured in millimeters, and usually designated as RO or ET. RO stands for rim offset. ET stands for Einpresstiefe, which is German for "insertion depth". It's the same thing. The 18" sizes recommended for the narrow body 996 by Porsche are as follows (per Porsche TSB 4440, dated 06/11): - 7.5 x 18" ET 50 front, 10 x 18" ET 65 rear - 8 x 18" ET 50/52 front, 10 x 18" ET 65 rear Proper tire sizes for these wheels are: - 225/40 ZR 18 front - 265/35 ZR 18 rear OR 285/30 ZR 18 rear For 285 width tires, Porsche recommends reworking the rear fenders to prevent rubbing on 2001 and earlier cars. This can also be done to allow for a 295/30 ZR 18 rear tire mounted on a rear wheel size 11 x 18 ET 63.

Then you have the best looking 996 wheels, period. Can you post a pic?

There might be a great party in the mod bunker. It seems that Josh didn't read the Terms of Service he accepted, especially the part about agreeing to pay $5,000 if he returned after being banned. He did it twice.

Thank you, Dennis, your information was very useful and well presented. Very informative and level headed, much appreciated.

^ uh oh. Now your in trouble......don't be messin' wit the Bob! P.S> I have some 18" HRE's for sale........just sayin'

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Glad it helped. I think people should do whatever they want to their car. I also feel that people should have all the relevant information before they make a choice on a modification. Every choice has consequences.