Wheels for my Boxster think I want lighter ones
Discussion
My 986S is fitted with 18 inch Turbo Style alloys and has been from new. However, the rears are wider than any standard size so must be replicas. The fronts are standard sized but I don't know if they are replicas or real ones.
I feel the steering is a little leaden compared to the older cars I grew up with, although it is very good for a modern car. I like the steering feel (though not the grip) when the space saver is fitted, I assume becuase it is lighter. I also feel that the steering come alive at high speed (120+) when it starts to move around a little.
I also use the car occasionally for competition (sprints and hillclimbs) where, although I like the general balance (it is very forgiving which is useful at unfamiliar tracks) the turn in could be a little sharper. I do like the look of the current set-up though.
I intend to have the geometry checked and adjusted by someone like Centre Gravity but I might as well do that once I've got the long term wheels on. The rear tyres are now getting worn so I need to have a think about wheels and tyres first.
Q1 - Are replica wheels any heavier (like for like) than genuine ones? Web folklore is very contradictory on this.
Q2 - Will (genuine) 17 inch wheels / tyres be significantly lighter than the current 18s for me to notice the difference (and put up with the less good looks)
Q3 - Are there any after market wheels (e.g. superleggeras) that are worth the investment?
Q4 - How can I tell if my standard sized fronts are genuine or not?
Q5 - In my head, standard (ie narrower) rear wheels will reduce understeer, all other things being equal, becasue, as I turn in at speed there will be more tendancy for the back to "come round" a few degrees. I quite like a little bit of turn-in oversteer on some of the very tight hillclimb corners. Am I right?
Thanks!
I feel the steering is a little leaden compared to the older cars I grew up with, although it is very good for a modern car. I like the steering feel (though not the grip) when the space saver is fitted, I assume becuase it is lighter. I also feel that the steering come alive at high speed (120+) when it starts to move around a little.
I also use the car occasionally for competition (sprints and hillclimbs) where, although I like the general balance (it is very forgiving which is useful at unfamiliar tracks) the turn in could be a little sharper. I do like the look of the current set-up though.
I intend to have the geometry checked and adjusted by someone like Centre Gravity but I might as well do that once I've got the long term wheels on. The rear tyres are now getting worn so I need to have a think about wheels and tyres first.
Q1 - Are replica wheels any heavier (like for like) than genuine ones? Web folklore is very contradictory on this.
Q2 - Will (genuine) 17 inch wheels / tyres be significantly lighter than the current 18s for me to notice the difference (and put up with the less good looks)
Q3 - Are there any after market wheels (e.g. superleggeras) that are worth the investment?
Q4 - How can I tell if my standard sized fronts are genuine or not?
Q5 - In my head, standard (ie narrower) rear wheels will reduce understeer, all other things being equal, becasue, as I turn in at speed there will be more tendancy for the back to "come round" a few degrees. I quite like a little bit of turn-in oversteer on some of the very tight hillclimb corners. Am I right?
Thanks!
Shoestringracer said:
My 986S is fitted with 18 inch Turbo Style alloys and has been from new. However, the rears are wider than any standard size so must be replicas. The fronts are standard sized but I don't know if they are replicas or real ones.
I feel the steering is a little leaden compared to the older cars I grew up with, although it is very good for a modern car. I like the steering feel (though not the grip) when the space saver is fitted, I assume becuase it is lighter. I also feel that the steering come alive at high speed (120+) when it starts to move around a little.
I also use the car occasionally for competition (sprints and hillclimbs) where, although I like the general balance (it is very forgiving which is useful at unfamiliar tracks) the turn in could be a little sharper. I do like the look of the current set-up though.
I intend to have the geometry checked and adjusted by someone like Centre Gravity but I might as well do that once I've got the long term wheels on. The rear tyres are now getting worn so I need to have a think about wheels and tyres first.
Q1 - Are replica wheels any heavier (like for like) than genuine ones? Web folklore is very contradictory on this.
Q2 - Will (genuine) 17 inch wheels / tyres be significantly lighter than the current 18s for me to notice the difference (and put up with the less good looks)
Q3 - Are there any after market wheels (e.g. superleggeras) that are worth the investment?
Q4 - How can I tell if my standard sized fronts are genuine or not?
Q5 - In my head, standard (ie narrower) rear wheels will reduce understeer, all other things being equal, becasue, as I turn in at speed there will be more tendancy for the back to "come round" a few degrees. I quite like a little bit of turn-in oversteer on some of the very tight hillclimb corners. Am I right?
Thanks!
Q1 - depends what replicas you mean? I would imagine there are lighter and heavier versions kicking around. I have no experience of any particular examples.I feel the steering is a little leaden compared to the older cars I grew up with, although it is very good for a modern car. I like the steering feel (though not the grip) when the space saver is fitted, I assume becuase it is lighter. I also feel that the steering come alive at high speed (120+) when it starts to move around a little.
I also use the car occasionally for competition (sprints and hillclimbs) where, although I like the general balance (it is very forgiving which is useful at unfamiliar tracks) the turn in could be a little sharper. I do like the look of the current set-up though.
I intend to have the geometry checked and adjusted by someone like Centre Gravity but I might as well do that once I've got the long term wheels on. The rear tyres are now getting worn so I need to have a think about wheels and tyres first.
Q1 - Are replica wheels any heavier (like for like) than genuine ones? Web folklore is very contradictory on this.
Q2 - Will (genuine) 17 inch wheels / tyres be significantly lighter than the current 18s for me to notice the difference (and put up with the less good looks)
Q3 - Are there any after market wheels (e.g. superleggeras) that are worth the investment?
Q4 - How can I tell if my standard sized fronts are genuine or not?
Q5 - In my head, standard (ie narrower) rear wheels will reduce understeer, all other things being equal, becasue, as I turn in at speed there will be more tendancy for the back to "come round" a few degrees. I quite like a little bit of turn-in oversteer on some of the very tight hillclimb corners. Am I right?
Thanks!
Q2 - 17" wheels will be lighter like-for-like, although the 17" tyres will be a bit heavier. The net result will likely be slightly lighter, but probably not that significant. Although the ride will be better which will also translate to better traction and grip on a bumpy hillclimb.
Q3 - I'd look at OZ wheels as a quality alternative - although I have no experience of them on a Porsche.
Q4 - don't know
Q5 - Narrower rears will give less understeer in general
Replicas tend to be heavier.
Take your wheels off and look on the back side. Usually a Porsche number and the size spacing is on there somewhere if they are genuine.
There's plenty of aftermarket options that will give you a lighter,better wheel. Answer really depends on your budget really.
Take a look into the spec boxster world. There should be an abundance of info that you might find useful that you can then distill down.
Take your wheels off and look on the back side. Usually a Porsche number and the size spacing is on there somewhere if they are genuine.
There's plenty of aftermarket options that will give you a lighter,better wheel. Answer really depends on your budget really.
Take a look into the spec boxster world. There should be an abundance of info that you might find useful that you can then distill down.
Until you've had the geometry done, I don't think you should make any decisions. You don't have to use Centre Gravity either - not taking anything away from Chris as he is very good, but decent indies like Backdraft Motorsport or ProMAX have full Hunter rigs and offer a good service.
If you still think you need lightweight wheels, I think you should consider motorsport wheels - Demon Tweaks for example do a fair range.
If you still think you need lightweight wheels, I think you should consider motorsport wheels - Demon Tweaks for example do a fair range.
spyderman8 said:
Until you've had the geometry done, I don't think you should make any decisions. You don't have to use Centre Gravity either - not taking anything away from Chris as he is very good, but decent indies like Backdraft Motorsport or ProMAX have full Hunter rigs and offer a good service.
If you still think you need lightweight wheels, I think you should consider motorsport wheels - Demon Tweaks for example do a fair range.
Intyersting, I assumed the geometry advice would be impacted which wheels / tyres were fitted. Mind you, If I liked the steering after the geometry then I wouldn't need new wheels and tyres. If you still think you need lightweight wheels, I think you should consider motorsport wheels - Demon Tweaks for example do a fair range.
Shoestringracer said:
Thanks for all the responses. Are motorsport wheels tough enough for road use? I wouldn't want to buckle one (and crash) after hitting a pothole.
Expensive motorsport wheels are often made from magnesium for weight saving. I wouldn't go down this route for road use, I'd stick to aluminium alloy wheels. The strongest and lightest, but also most expensive, are forged rather than cast. s_mcneil said:
Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.3 come in Porsche fitment and are light.
I have a set of 8.5x18 ET52 + 10x18 ET55 in anthracite which I'm about to ebay...
If you really want light you might want to check the OEM Carrera 5 spokes
I would have thought there are a lots of OEM Carrera 5 spokes about as people upgrade. Are they known as being light? I have a set of 8.5x18 ET52 + 10x18 ET55 in anthracite which I'm about to ebay...
If you really want light you might want to check the OEM Carrera 5 spokes
http://www.944racing.de/wheelweights.php
edit to add weights for 5 spoke...
9.3 Kg
10.3 Kg
edit to add weights for 5 spoke...
9.3 Kg
10.3 Kg
Edited by s_mcneil on Thursday 24th November 11:04
As said above but just to be clear, the genuine wheels will have a Porsche part number cast into the back of the spokes. It should of course start with 986 amd follow the format 986.???.???.???
P.S. I don't believe that the replica wheel makers would go as far replicating the Porsche part number but you never know - that would truly make them counterfeits and not replicas!
P.P.S. Back in the early Boxster days, Porsche themselves used to run 16" wheels on the base model at their Driver Education / Experience Centre days and it was reported that this was because they ran so well on them. As with everything, you'd have to take that with a pinch of salt though as it would have also reduced their running costs in terms of tyres. The S, as you will know, cannot run 16"s due to the front brakes so 17"s are the minimum and would be my choice.
P.S. I don't believe that the replica wheel makers would go as far replicating the Porsche part number but you never know - that would truly make them counterfeits and not replicas!
P.P.S. Back in the early Boxster days, Porsche themselves used to run 16" wheels on the base model at their Driver Education / Experience Centre days and it was reported that this was because they ran so well on them. As with everything, you'd have to take that with a pinch of salt though as it would have also reduced their running costs in terms of tyres. The S, as you will know, cannot run 16"s due to the front brakes so 17"s are the minimum and would be my choice.
s_mcneil said:
http://www.944racing.de/wheelweights.php
edit to add weights for 5 spoke...
9.3 Kg
10.3 Kg
Thats a really useful site. I was surprised at how the base model 18 inch wheels were also the lightest and wondering if they would look too modern on the 986 when I noticed that turbo 1 hollow spokes would look the same as my current ones and save around 4kg per wheel. Thats got to be worth having. edit to add weights for 5 spoke...
9.3 Kg
10.3 Kg
Edited by s_mcneil on Thursday 24th November 11:04
This almsot certainly means they will be expensive and rare! I'll have a hunt around.
edited for spelling
I'm running 7" ones all around, but not strictly for weight reasons.Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff