996 C4S on 997 CS 19 inch wheels - handling and ride

Had my C4S for a couple of weeks now and have my doubts about the wheels that are fitted to it currently. I bought the car with 997 CS 19 inch wheels and it looks great. However, I can't help but feel that it has compromised the ride and handling to an unacceptable degree. The suspension is crashy and the 'lively' 911 steering seems to suffer from a gyroscopic effect when cracking on over the usual crap roads here in Shropshire. But, this is the only 911 I have ever driven so your experiences would be appreciated.

Hello Jules, I put a set of 19" replica 997 turbo alloys on my 2004 C4S a few weeks ago. I've noticed no difference in the handling or the ride. I used to have 18" turbo alloys with Continental tyres, I now have Michelin pilots. The 19" alloys I had on my last car (98 C4) gave it a rougher ride than the one I have now. The C4S was fitted with new shocks last year. Maybe that would be worth trying :?:

Hi jooles15 and welcome. The 996 C4S has the same suspension set up as that of the 996 Turbo, ie it is lowered compared to a normal C4 as a result of the sports chassis. The modification was designed by Porsche to run on the 18" wheel set up (Turbo-Look II) which might be why the only other alloys offered as options were the 18" Technology alloys. 19" wheel fitments were not designed for the 996 series and I would imagine certainly not on cars with a factory modified suspension such as the C4S, Turbo/S, GT3 & GT2. If it was me, I'd source a set of the original wheels and sell your 19" ones. Be careful if they are replica type alloys or the real things (huge difference in price, performance, handling, unsprung weight, etc etc. ~ Maxie

Thanks very much for the replies. I think 18's are going to be the way forward. The 19's fitted look genuine but having looked at a new Boxster S with similar wheels I have noticed a key difference - mine have 'Porsche' written in red font on the rim and the Boxster's do not (and I know the Boxsters are genuine).

C4S tyres/wheels and handling I have a C4S and have been advised by Porsche to stick with the 18" Turbo Look II wheels as the car was not designed for 19 inch.

It's possible to buy the red decals, so I suspect someone has just added these. You can tell if they are genuine by taking them off and looking behind the centres they'll be stamped 997.xxx.yyy.zzz I understand that Porsche marketing department got involved and said to the engineering section that they had to offer 19" options on the 997, even though the car wasn't designed for this....and subsequently, they claim that the car is better on 18". However, although Porsche don't recommend (or supply) 19" for the 996, I am surprised by the level of affecting ride quality you're experience, so I'm not convinced that going back to 18" will completely solve the problem. Personally, I would go back to 18", but expect that your shocks or other moving parts of the setup might need looking at. Depending on the roads (round here is very bad), you'll find that part of the suspension will be failing at around 5 years old and 40k miles. Cheers, GD

Reading this again, I'm now starting to think that it's not your wheels, but part of the suspension. The problem you'll have is trying to get it diagnosed, as the 997 wheels will be the first thing blamed. Does it feel as though the problem is at the back or front? Have you tried driving your car at very low speed (less than 10mph) over lots of bumps (flat, uphill and downhill) and listen for any noise/play coming from the car...that would indicate a trailing arm. Also, kick your tyre wall very hard and listen to see if that makes any noise as well...in terms of movement and feedback.

The car went through an 111 point check just prior to me purchasing and nothing was picked up re. suspension. But. I'll take a good look at it on a ramp (I have access) and see what I can find. It may be nothing - it may just be that I've come out of a 530d into the C4S. It may be that I'm getting older, rather than the car. What I need is a blast in a similar car on 18's or better still, borrow a set (I might just have an option open here).

against advice posted on here i put 19's on mine. Had them on for about a month or two and then went back to 18's. Car was much better on 18's, handling, steering, ride etc but did look better on 19's (only just though) but you can't see what it looks like from the inside. Communication is one of the things that makes these cars so good. Changing will make a difference!