Wheel, Tyre and Suspension - will this combo work?

OK I tried a similar post in the Wheel & Tire forum but no response, so lets see if I can try this from a different angle: My 1999 996 is shown below with the Aero Kit (top picture - Speed Yellow). I want to add the Bilstein PSS9 suspension kit to the car, a set of Ruger Sport 19" wheels and tyres as follows: Front: 19x8.5 offset ET45 with 235/35ZR19 Rear: 19x10.5 offset ET52 with 285/30ZR19 I like this design as it is a 5-spoke, silver with a deep looking highly polished lip (I have included a picture of the wheel and also on a 996 with the Aero Kit). Please can anyone tell me if this will work out or not, or basically any input will do? I have not had a chance to see what they will look like on my car yet, but I was told that the otehr car did not have any suspension mods done to it, and so I like the stance. FYI: I have a budget of 5K for wheels, tyres and suspension and the above I can get for under 4K and I can get the suspension installed by a shop I know. The other option is I get the wheels and tyres and see how that goes (I need to get rid of my current ones they just don't look good on the car). Then address the suspension afterwards. Thanks in advance, this forum is GREAT!!!

I know the gray car you posted with those wheels. It's someone on this forum who sold it. I'm not a fan of the wheels at all. Porsche 911s need a mesh style center. Five spokes are more for Mustangs. Plus, those are really cheap and cast. I suggest you get a nice set of stock 18" wheels and save up for later when you can get a proper set from the brands I recommended in your other thread. PSS9s should cost around $2K shipped to you with an additional $1K or so to get it installed, aligned and corner balanced on your car. This leaves you with $2K for wheels/tires. I'd actually try to save up $1-2K more and find a used set FS on Rennlist or 6Speedonline v. getting new no-name brand wheels like the ones above.

Also, the lip ain't that deep really cuz the center spokes jut out to compensate for the "fake" deep lip if you can even call it deep. True deep is the measurement from the outer-most surface of the center to the edge of the wheel. I've seen some of the cheaper brands pull off "deep" dish by bowing out the center spokes and it looks honestly pretty ghetto fab. Just know that you can't go very deep on the narrow bodies.

Benjamin thanks again I like your honesty. I did find another thread similar to mine with the same wheels and the responses were not positive. I have looked at Fikse but yes new they are outrageous in cost. So I will not go for these then, I really do not want another 'ghetto' style wheel on the 996, I need that exotic touch. I do have a link to Wheel Enhancement, any experience with them? They seem to have a lot of wheels to choose from. OK so I need to get out of the 5-spoke mind set, and yes I own a Mustang too, probably why I lile the style

I think the new body Mustangs with a full-on Saleen/Roush treatment look insanely good, though I see way too many of them with undersized wheels or chrome wheels which ruin it. But the proportions are spot on with the aero bits and I'm sure they have a lot of go power. Anyways, back to Stuttgart... DO THE SUSPENSION FIRST - it'll make the car look good and handle much better than stock.... then I'd totally try and scope out a set of quality used wheels. There's absolutely no reason to buy a new set of wheels kinda like a car since you want that 1st owner to take the big initial hit. So when you buy say a $3K set of BBS wheels, you can sell it many times for the same price you bought them (better holding power than the car unfortunately). Wheel Enhancements seems to be a good dealer. Seriously, check out their offerings. I think a nice set of Champion RG5s would look insanely good on your car and you should consider black as I think black center with polished lip can only be pulled off well on a black car or a yellow car like yours. Silver works on every color. I remember this one guy was selling a set of Work VS-XX wheels from his narrowbody Carrera. If I had your car, I'd go for those, but they're so hard to come by it's just too long of a wait. I couldn't wait so I went out and just bought a set of new OZ Superleggera 3 wheels from [email removed] since it's very unlikely any of the more conservative Rennlist guys would be selling these or any others. Brands to research in no particular order: 1) Champion 2) OZ 3) BBS 4) Work 5) Kinesis - But they got bought out by a chrome loving company called Lexani so it's fading a bit 6) HRE - Check out their Competition line All of the brands above sell quality wheels. They cost a bit more, but you're getting the reputation, excellent QC, and classically great looks. Try to find a used set, ideally, but it may test your patience. Just do me a favor and don't do the Discount Tire wheels. Get rid of the chrome wheels on the car now pronto with a set of used stock wheels which generally cost around $1K... save up, sell your body, whatever you need to do and get the wheels you REALLY want later that will REALLY set off your nice 911.

Thanks again Benjamin. I have my home work assignment for the next few days, but that is fine as I do not mind spending the time to find the perfect wheel and tyre combination for my car. I also like your thought process about the colour of the wheel for my car, to be different but for it to work is what I want. Again to hit on chrome wheels (which I will not be getting), I do not want someone to say hey nice wheels when they look at the car the first time, I want them to say nice car and then further compliment me on the things that I have done to it. Maybe I should hit up damon at the tire rack?

I may be in position to sell my stock Carrera 5 spokes.

blk on blk...thanks but I will have to pass.

I've bought a number of sets of wheels and tires from Damon and he's always provided timely, expert responses to every inquiry. He is a genuine car fan. But honestly, ain't nobody going to be able to over that beautiful Speed Yellow 911 aerokit and just say nice rims. The rims, in this case, will be complementary to the main course that is the 911!!!! SSRs are a good budget wheel as well.

Benjamin, what do you think about these wheels (manufacturer and model from left to right or top to bottom): HRE 893 HRE C21 I spoke to Dave at Wheel Enhancement and these can be made to order as follows: Front: 8.5x19 with 235/30/19 Rear: 11x19 with 315/25/19 I am looking at having the center painted Black. These are not cheap wheels:

Those are fantastic wheels, but that's definitely stretching your budget by a few grand! If you're looking at those, take a look at the wheels on my car - Damon sells them - OZ 3s, fully press forged.

[Image-only post; no author-written text. Original image references:] http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j250/BENJMNS/DSC_3978.jpg

Sweeet wheels...OK I will touch base with Damon then. Thanks again...I will keep you and everyone posted on what I get and post pics

Benjamin, I spoke to Damon today at the Tire Rack and your wheels came up in the discussion, again they look great. So I might just bite the bullet and get a a great set of wheels now and be done with it. BTW...what size wheels and tyres do u have? Thanks again

Dude, Those are nice.

Alpha I am in total agreement. So I might go for the same but with black centers since I have a Speed Yellow car, what do you think?

Yellow and Black, you cant go wrong. Go for it.!

Damon is the man! My wheels are 19x8.5 up front on 235s and 19x12s w/ 315s in the rear - these will not fit your car FYI so don't try to copy my setup - Damon will tell you the same thing.

That's going to look siq! Make sure you lower it ASAP. It won't look nearly as good with it at stock ride height v. dropped. Here it is on the Ruf RT12 - Ruf uses the OZ 3s on their flagship 911. Here it is on my black M3 - it'll look better with your SY.

Thx, bud here's a better shot for you

That looks really good. I love the M3. The new one coming out is off the hook! V8 over 400 horse! I love it! Did you use H&R to lower? I am new to Porsche and trying to learn whats good and whats not. I have 19.8.5 235x35 and 19x10 275x30 on my C2

I would go with 19's. I have a C2 with 19x8.5 235x35 and 19x10 275x30 I think 19's look good on the P cars. I am going to go with a 295x30 or 305x30 if they will fit on the back next time. Ben has a 315 and I know that will fit a 10" rim but I dont know if it will work on the C2? If it does the 315 on the back would be the way to go!

Fellas, on the narrowbodies, anything over 10s isn't going to fit right without fender molestation and going with less than ideal tire sizes. If you wanted steamrollers, ya guys needed to get the widebodies. Just make sure if you go 11s, you're going off of specs from someone who has fitted it and can prove it doesn't rub even when lowered. My suspension is PSS9s. I never go with just going with springs over stock shocks. Ghetto if you ask me. Stick with the 275s with the 10s. 19s are a must. 18s look too small especially the aftermarket wheels with any sort of lip.

This is great feedback and much apprciated as the investment I am about to do is significant. So if I understand this right: Front 19x8.5 with 235/35 Rear 19x10 with 275/30 PSS9 Suspension System Question: can I go with a 285/30 on the rear with the PSS9? Due to cost of everything (7K) I may have to do this in stages. I understand about doing the suspension first, however I have to get rid of the ghetto wheels ASAP. I can just afford the wheels and tyres I want, but it is going to be a stretch to do the PSS9 at the same time. But then I am in a corner in that I do not want killer wheels on the car without lowering it and it might be a few months before I can get the PSS9. Basically I do not want to drive around with ghetto wheels on the car, but will the new wheels look out of place if not lowered. What if I put in H&R Lowering Springs for the time being then do the PSS9? Thanks again for everyones input on this subject, it is much appreciated.

TheSpeedDemon Where did you get your aero kit? What could I expect to pay? Installed? Are you happy with it? It really look nice!! Pat

I see your quandary. What a tough problem to have. Get the wheels first because those chrome wheels are straight outta DUB magazine. You can do the springs first and then save up for the PSS9s or look for a used set which is always great to do. You want to have it all at once, man, to really justify your expenditure. The wheels just aren't going to look right at stock height with the lower profile tires. It's going look like a 4x4.

Pat, the Aero Kit was on the car when I bought it, but originally the car did not come with the kit and I believe just recently. But I do not know where the kit came from, but I have heard through other threads/posts that there are places out there such as Suncoast Porsche. As far as being happy with it...absolutely, it really made me want the car, to me it finishes it the look and being Speed Yellow, it actually looks wider than it really is.

Speed Demon, Your Mustang is incredible. I'm supposed to copy & send a picture of it to my buddy that bought my Saleen. It is one of the nicest fox bodies that I have seen....EVER. The OEM GT3 mk1 wheels look fantastic with your aero kit. I believe they are made by BBS, they are two piece and are light weight. I have seen some incredible deals here, 6 speed, Pelican, and on E-bay. I bought my wheels off a fellow Rennlist member and couldnt be happier. Check these wheels and tires out.... https://rennlist.com/forums/for-sale-ads-member-to-member-fs-wtb-free/357230-fs-4-forgeline-sx3r-s-with-new-michelin-pilot-sport-cup-tires.html

My search isnt working to verify but look for a thread I believe called "dont buy these wheels". I will tell you all about them, as bad as they are, people really liked the way my car looks including myself. Here is a pic:

I think they look great! just my $.02 So the 295's fit ok? Is that a 19?

Thanks!, but no, with 295's they rub the outer fender well on hard bumps and the fronts (235's) rub the fenderwell on lock-to-lock turns, but those are plastic fenderwells, no biggy. They are lighter than the factory wheels but adding 0.8" to the diameter killed the aceleration, not to mention like 3-5 more lbs. of rubber (255 vs. 295).

Tippy...I do like the wheels and they do look good on your car. During this thread I have received a lot of pro's and con's about so many different wheel types (5-spoke, 3-peice, etc.), and I have done a lot of research myself including talking to a few places (i.e. Damon at the Tire Rack). I am more knowledgeable about wheels and tyres for the 996 now than I was at the beginning of the week and I want to thank everyone for there input on this matter. I am still not a Pro on the subject but enough to be dangerous. So at this time I know that I will eventually choose a wheel and tyre combination that either you all like or some will and some won't. But at the end of the day as long as I like them and they perform to my standards in regards to my application, that is what really matters. But pretty much any wheel that was mentioned in these discussions is better than what I have now. I will be making a decision over the weekend as to what I will get and then share with you all the new setup once I have them on the car. Thanks again

HAve yo looked at the BSA 215a wheels. They look a lot like the Kinesis F110's & the Porsche Sport Design wheels but are a LOT cheaper. http://www.bsa.com.my/web/wheels/215a.htm

And every now and then, you'll find a few sets on ebay. Some even have black centers. Besides ebay, I just don't know where to get them.

Update: Decision has been made and the has been made I will start a new thread in about 2 weeks once I have made the changes to my car, I will of course include pics. So you know what this means about my ghetto wheels, but I will not say anything here since I am not a Member yet Again thanks everyone for there input and insight, I believe that the setup I went with will be accepted by all

Updated pic of my car- so stay tuned (sorry about the small pic - I have met my max upload, I guess I am limited as a User, time for me to become a member?)

Steve's been a great customer through all this and I really hope he like the wheels. Thanks for all the help too, Ben!

Damon you are the man and so thank you for working with me on this huge decision. Ben, again thank you Note: new Avatar...no there are no wheels on it yet

What is the max tire and rim size that you can put in a 996 with standard suspension and without any rubbing? Right now I think I have installed 20mm spacers front and 30mm rear. Offsets? Can I put the 996 turbo ones? (I think front 225R18 Rear 295R18). Best Regards and Thanks.

festuc, I did a lot of research on this trying to understand what can and what cannot be done. With a 996 narrowbody you are somewhat limited in the back though. My understanding is that 18's on 'stock' suspension you can get away with wider wheels and tyres in the back say if you had 19's (as I have now). Front: 19x8.5 w/245-35 (wrong size, rubs on full-lock) Rear: 19x10 w/285-30 (max for my 19's in stock suspension unless the offset is correct) Since I am new to owning a Porsche I have relied on others here on Rennlist for there input. One person that really helped me was [email removed] . Once I understood more about my options from him, I then started concentrating on the look of the wheel (I didn't want to fall in love with a wheel only to find out it does not come in the size I need based on my requirements). Of course the amount of money you are willing to spend plays a lot in the decision making. Please note I ended-up going with 19's again, and because I will be lowering the car I put more restrictions on the tyre size, but that is OK.

Thanks for your reply. I don't want to go to 19'; 18 is enough for me :-) Best Regards.