996 C4 - Winter wheels and tyres

[Gad-Westy]

Picked up a 99 996 C4 at the weekend. One of the things on the shopping list is to get a set of winter wheels and tyres for it.

I'm a bit unclear on what the options are. Was hoping to scour ebay for some wheels and then get tyres accordingly but can I use Boxster wheels or do I need to stick to 996 specific items? Any difference between C2 and C4 wheel sizes?

[David W.]

I’ve got some classics off a 997 C4 for sale.

[Gad-Westy]

David W. said:

I’ve got some classics off a 997 C4 for sale.

Cheers. Do you have them listed somewhere so I take a look?

[ATM]

Gad-Westy said:

Picked up a 99 996 C4 at the weekend. One of the things on the shopping list is to get a set of winter wheels and tyres for it.

I'm a bit unclear on what the options are. Was hoping to scour ebay for some wheels and then get tyres accordingly but can I use Boxster wheels or do I need to stick to 996 specific items? Any difference between C2 and C4 wheel sizes?

Get yourself over to here

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

996 and the original 986 Boxster have very similar wheel sizes and tyre sizes but different offsets. So it depends on if this will bother you. You can find 17 inch wheels correct for the 996 easily enough as no one wants them. I've got 2 sets the same. If you already have 17 wheels then happy days.

You can of course buy winters for the 18 sizes. You pays your money and you makes you choice.

[ATM]

[Gad-Westy]

ATM said:

Get yourself over to here

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

996 and the original 986 Boxster have very similar wheel sizes and tyre sizes but different offsets. So it depends on if this will bother you. You can find 17 inch wheels correct for the 996 easily enough as no one wants them. I've got 2 sets the same. If you already have 17 wheels then happy days.

You can of course buy winters for the 18 sizes. You pays your money and you makes you choice.

Thanks ATM. David (above) had kindly offered a 19" option but I've decided that is too big for winter wheels. The car currently has 18's and the proflle is already a bit skimpy.

17's for winter sounds sensible to me. I just need to find a set that are either not scuffed to death or are not at the other end of the country.

Are the wheels on the pic 996 wheels or from a boxster?

Mind me asking what tyre sizes you have opted for for winters?

[ATM]

Gad-Westy said:

ATM said:

Get yourself over to here

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

996 and the original 986 Boxster have very similar wheel sizes and tyre sizes but different offsets. So it depends on if this will bother you. You can find 17 inch wheels correct for the 996 easily enough as no one wants them. I've got 2 sets the same. If you already have 17 wheels then happy days.

You can of course buy winters for the 18 sizes. You pays your money and you makes you choice.

Thanks ATM. David (above) had kindly offered a 19" option but I've decided that is too big for winter wheels. The car currently has 18's and the proflle is already a bit skimpy.

17's for winter sounds sensible to me. I just need to find a set that are either not scuffed to death or are not at the other end of the country.

Are the wheels on the pic 996 wheels or from a boxster?

Mind me asking what tyre sizes you have opted for for winters?

Those are genuine 996 wheels. If you want to try a set on your car for feel then let me know and we can try and arrange something. I have a spare set with tyres on but they are a little worn. I much preferred the feel of the car with these on compared to the 18. Mine do not have winters on. Currently running Mich ps2 but the spare set have older ps3 on.

[Gad-Westy]

ATM said:

Gad-Westy said:

ATM said:

Get yourself over to here

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

996 and the original 986 Boxster have very similar wheel sizes and tyre sizes but different offsets. So it depends on if this will bother you. You can find 17 inch wheels correct for the 996 easily enough as no one wants them. I've got 2 sets the same. If you already have 17 wheels then happy days.

You can of course buy winters for the 18 sizes. You pays your money and you makes you choice.

Thanks ATM. David (above) had kindly offered a 19" option but I've decided that is too big for winter wheels. The car currently has 18's and the proflle is already a bit skimpy.

17's for winter sounds sensible to me. I just need to find a set that are either not scuffed to death or are not at the other end of the country.

Are the wheels on the pic 996 wheels or from a boxster?

Mind me asking what tyre sizes you have opted for for winters?

Those are genuine 996 wheels. If you want to try a set on your car for feel then let me know and we can try and arrange something. I have a spare set with tyres on but they are a little worn. I much preferred the feel of the car with these on compared to the 18. Mine do not have winters on. Currently running Mich ps2 but the spare set have older ps3 on.

Cheers. PM heading your way.

[ATM]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265054721725

[Gad-Westy]

ATM said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265054721725

Thanks ATM. Good option but I'll try to find something closer to home.

[m444ttb]

I had a set of very cheap Boxster 17s bought to stand the car on several years back while my 18s were refurbished and had planned to run these with winter tyres. I just couldn’t find the tyres at the time. In the end I picked up another set of 18s and bought some Michelin PA4s.

[LeoSayer]

There's not a huge choice in winter tyres in the sizes required for a 996 on 17" wheels. Vredestein is one.

I've got a set of those 996 10-spoke wheels with winter tyres that have been sitting in my garage for a few years. They are made by BBS and are one of the lightest around.

[ATM]

Official summer size is

F 205 50 17 - common enough

R 255 40 17 - this is summer, some of the documentation talks about using a 225 45 17 winter on the rear

What sizes have you got?

[LeoSayer]

ATM said:

Official summer size is

F 205 50 17 - common enough

R 255 40 17 - this is summer, some of the documentation talks about using a 225 45 17 winter on the rear

What sizes have you got?

F 205 50 17

R 255 40 17

They are Nokians with Porsche N0 label but well over 10 years old so not really usable now.

As for the 225/45 size I heard that as well. I imagine that might allow you to run 7" wheels front and rear. Not sure about the offset on the rears though.

I should clarify it's easy to find tyres in the right size but finding matching tyres for front and rear axles is harder.

[ATM]

LeoSayer said:

I should clarify it's easy to find tyres in the right size but finding matching tyres for front and rear axles is harder.

This

If going 255 40 17 its difficult. Lots more options with 225 45 17. Very common tyre.

LeoSayer said:

As for the 225/45 size I heard that as well. I imagine that might allow you to run 7" wheels front and rear. Not sure about the offset on the rears though.

I thought the 225 45 would just go on the standard 9 inch rear. No need for different wheels.

I'm tempted to try 225 45 17 summers.

[HughG]

I’ve got a set of 17” 10spokes in anthracite, without tyres, that I was going to use for winters on my C2. It’s a 2nd car now so I won’t need winters on it, so they could be available if you want.

They’re the same genuine type ATM has on his, pic shamelessly borrowed:

ATM said:

[LeoSayer]

ATM said:

LeoSayer said:

I should clarify it's easy to find tyres in the right size but finding matching tyres for front and rear axles is harder.

This

If going 255 40 17 its difficult. Lots more options with 225 45 17. Very common tyre.

LeoSayer said:

As for the 225/45 size I heard that as well. I imagine that might allow you to run 7" wheels front and rear. Not sure about the offset on the rears though.

I thought the 225 45 would just go on the standard 9 inch rear. No need for different wheels.

I'm tempted to try 225 45 17 summers.

Now I'm tempted as well - never considered that before.

I moved to 18" wheels on my 993 was because no modern tyre was available in 255 40 17. I'm very happy with the 18" PS4 currently fitted but would prefer to use 17" wheels.

However I think 225 is too narrow for a 9" wheels - it might look a bit 'stretched'

[ATM]

LeoSayer said:

Now I'm tempted as well - never considered that before.

I moved to 18" wheels on my 993 was because no modern tyre was available in 255 40 17. I'm very happy with the 18" PS4 currently fitted but would prefer to use 17" wheels.

However I think 225 is too narrow for a 9" wheels - it might look a bit 'stretched'

Agreed

So perhaps a 235 45 would work better.

But Porsche approve the use of the 225 on the 9 inch rims.

[Gad-Westy]

HughG said:

I’ve got a set of 17” 10spokes in anthracite, without tyres, that I was going to use for winters on my C2. It’s a 2nd car now so I won’t need winters on it, so they could be available if you want.

They’re the same genuine type ATM has on his, pic shamelessly borrowed:

ATM said:

Cheers. I'll fire a PM over.