19 inch wheels on a GTS

[JasonSteel]

just curious but why hasn't anyone swapped the standard 20 inch for 19 inch wheels?

would the handling and/or ride quality would be improved?

i think they look better too but not the Porsche 19" options unfortunately. the ideal for me would be 19" Carrera S in platinum or black.

just thinking out loud...

[Ady128]

Because they don't look as good imo. The 20s feel OK to me.

[bcr5784]

It's a fashion thing. I don't think anyone would argue that the 20" wheels add anything dynamically - and they certainly detract from the ride. They are nevertheless a popular option and so GTS models, in common with their forebears, include some of the most popular options - almost always including big wheels. It would be very sensible (functionally) to replace them with a 19" set - but folly not to keep old wheels because it would certainly affect resale value if you did not.

[Koln-RS]

In my experience 991 and Cayman ride comfort on standard suspension and 20” wheels is pretty good, subject to the right tyres.

The biggest issue is the abject state of our roads, which are getting ever worse.

19” wheels should offer some improvements, particularly if they reduce unsprung weight. Not sure what the potential saving might be.

[Jazzer]

Are you mad?

The Cayman GTS is a stunning car, one that looks just right.

The ride on 20s, even on X73, is superb for a sports car.

The

[JasonSteel]

Ady128 said:

Because they don't look as good imo. The 20s feel OK to me.

Jazzer said:

Are you mad?

The Cayman GTS is a stunning car, one that looks just right.

The ride on 20s, even on X73, is superb for a sports car.

i don't think i'm mad and i'm not suggesting that the GTS isn't a great looking car.

the odd detail aside, i'm a 'form follows function' kind of guy and i agree with bcr5784 that large wheels with low profile tyres are flavour of the day and the 20s are there purely for looks (for those that prefer them) over performance. to me the profile is a tad too low and the brake discs do look a bit puny in comparison... so although i agree that the GTS is a stunning car, there's always room for improvement

i'm not a fan of the 18 and 19" options offered by Porsche, but i do wonder how many people would have opted for a 19" version of the Carrera S wheel had it been an option?

i came across these images today posted by a guy on Rennlist and he made the change to 19s and only had good things to say about them. i took the liberty of adjusting one of the images he posted so that the cars are identical in size and can be compared (before and after). the difference the 19s make look wise don't make the wheels at all too small, but they do to my eyes suit the car better and i agree that there would be an improvement in ride and handling.

i only recently put Michelins on mine but when it's time to change i'll be seriously considering downsizing to 19s.

[Maxym]

That car looks as good with 19s as with 20s. But maybe with black wheels on a white car (neither of which I really like) it's not so easy to judge.

That said, I've thought other Caymans with 19s have looked good...

[Pinball]

I'm not keen on the design of the Porsche 18" and 19" wheels. Certainly those offered on the 718, although the 19" 911 wheels look fairly nice. Those aftermarket wheels do look nice though, they have a touch of the RS Spyder wheels about them so look fairly OEM. The black colour also helps disguise the smaller size. Are they HRE? I guess dropping to 19" would open up more winter tyre options, possibly. They seem to be far and few between for 20" ones.

Edited by Pinball on Monday 16th April 12:56

[Koln-RS]

I think they look good, and it would be interesting to know the weight difference.
Unsprung weight has a number of critical benefits - so x4 it could add up to a useful saving, which is further factored to give a performance benefit, as well as better wheel control and ride comfort
Ok, the difference might not be huge, but It all helps

[bcr5784]

Koln-RS said:

I think they look good, and it would be interesting to know the weight difference.
Unsprung weight has a number of critical benefits - so x4 it could add up to a useful saving, which is further factored to give a performance benefit, as well as better wheel control and ride comfort
Ok, the difference might not be huge, but It all helps

I don't think in general a change in wheel size in general makes much odds - what you save in wheel weight you gain in tyre weight. I have sets of 18 and 19 inch wheels and tyres which I have weighed. I can't remember the figures but between 18 with goodyears and 19 with Pirellis there wasn't a lot. That said some tyres do weigh quite a lot more than others (in the same size) - I've seen as much as nearly 3kg between the heaviest and lightest. The biggest area of potential saving is between forged and cast wheels - but that is bought at a big differential in price.

[JasonSteel]

the drop to 18s may be a step too far for me, but i'm not ruling anything out at this stage.

reducing to 18s and reducing tyre width - i take it that will make the car slide more?

for my level of 'skill' i'm not sure that less grip is the way to go and the 19s would likely give me a small improvement in ride and handling as well as - for me - looking a bit better too. subtle changes, but all positive as far as i can see.

now i'm having to work late because instead of doing what i needed to do today i've been 'researching' and messing about with images... here's another simple comparison of all 3 different sizes. i must admit even the "carrera s" 18s look ok:



cmoose - i see what you mean with the GT4CS and GT3R - sidewall heaven indeed and the wheels on either of these don't look too dissimilar to the HREs fitted to the white GTS in the image i posted above.

Pinball - yes, they are HREs - see here: https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-cayman-and-cay...

[Rojibo]

I can’t help but feel if I’d went 20’s the roads would have eaten them by now. I was going to paint them gloss black but quite like the look of how they are now.

The ride is certainly improved over my old S3, and the potholes I haven’t missed didn’t hurt too badly. It’s a pity they’re not an option on the GTS, I would certainly consider buying a set of 19’s to put on.

OS2A4636.jpg by Rojibo, on Flickr

[Geneve]

Might be worth having a chat with Chris at Centre Gravity, as he is likely to have a knowledgeable opinion.

And, he might recommend a set-up that maximises the benefits.

[JasonSteel]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

thanks - lots of useful info there as always.

18" wheels and 255 sections i can and will consider when the time comes. mine has X73 so tyre choice makes a big difference; for e.g. just swapping the Pirellis for Michelins made the ride a touch more supple and the handling in the wet has been transformed - i wouldn't want to lose that.

i'll revive this thread when the Michelins are nearing their end, though that may not be for some time if the reports on longevity are anything to go by.

[JasonSteel]

Rojibo said:

I was going to paint them gloss black but quite like the look of how they are now.

i normally prefer the darker wheels too but that combo looks great.

[JasonSteel]

JasonSteel said:

i'll revive this thread when the Michelins are nearing their end, though that may not be for some time if the reports on longevity are anything to go by.

well the Michelins are nowhere near their end, but i did have to swap back to the Pirellis recently to get the car serviced and the warranty extended.

i could put the Michelins back on but i'm also considering my options in terms of getting a new set of wheels and tyres.

if i go with 19" wheels the PS4Ses are available. however Michelin don't make them any smaller, so if i did go with 18" wheels then the Michelin option would be the PS4.

are there other 18" tyres i should be considering? also, i'm not clear which size 18" wheels i need?

[bcr5784]

JasonSteel said:

well the Michelins are nowhere near their end, but i did have to swap back to the Pirellis recently to get the car serviced and the warranty extended.

i could put the Michelins back on but i'm also considering my options in terms of getting a new set of wheels and tyres.

if i go with 19" wheels the PS4Ses are available. however Michelin don't make them any smaller, so if i did go with 18" wheels then the Michelin option would be the PS4.

are there other 18" tyres i should be considering? also, i'm not clear which size 18" wheels i need?

There is no technical reason you couldn't fit Goodyear F1 or Pirelli PZeros on 18" wheels - though most will tell you that the Michelins are significantly superior. I'd probably go along with that in principle - but a recent test of the latest Pzeros suggests they are not so far behind the Michelins as some would have you believe. If you want a decent ride the Goodyears are probably the best and have good steering feel.

[JasonSteel]

bcr5784 said:

There is no technical reason you couldn't fit Goodyear F1 or Pirelli PZeros on 18" wheels - though most will tell you that the Michelins are significantly superior. I'd probably go along with that in principle - but a recent test of the latest Pzeros suggests they are not so far behind the Michelins as some would have you believe. If you want a decent ride the Goodyears are probably the best and have good steering feel.

i doubt i'll ever buy Pirellis again, such is the disappointment with their performance vs the Michelins. never tried the Goodyears but have heard good things about them.

any after market 18" wheel recommendations?

[bcr5784]

JasonSteel said:

i doubt i'll ever buy Pirellis again, such is the disappointment with their performance vs the Michelins. never tried the Goodyears but have heard good things about them.

any after market 18" wheel recommendations?

No but I have a set of 18" Goodyear F1 N0 tyres with only a nominal mileage going very cheap.PM me if you are interested.

[Krobar]

The Goodyear 18s are also cheap if you get them during Costco promotions.