19" RUF alloys on lowered 996 C2 - help please

[Harris_I]

A quick question.

I have been offered a set of 19" RUF 5 spoke alloys in as new condition complete with unused Yokohama tyres for a very good price and am seriously contemplating changing my rather dull 10 spoke 17" wheels.

My car is on Eibachs which lower it by 25mm. It also has a front strut brace to dial out understeer. My questions are:

1. Will the car's handling be adversely affected on the 19s? (i.e. I presume there are no drastic handling no-no's and that I should expect grip levels to be higher, with a corresponding trade off in ride).
2. Will the tyres rub against the arches given the 25mm lower stance?
3. Obviously a subjective question - will 19" RUFs look naff on an unadorned (facelift) 996 Carrera 2? This includes the stance of the car. Will it look "right"?

Any other considerations I should bear in mind? Any help greatly appreciated.

Harris

[argonaut]

Don't do it! Those wheels are REALLY heavy (so adversely affects performance) and the 19" ones would be severely detrimental to the ride quality and handling finesse of the car.

[Harris_I]

Hmm... hadn't realised they were so heavy. Shame really as I could have picked up an as new set for less than a couple of grand (sterling). Ah well.

[adamt]

we havent been happy with the yokohamas either...but they are the only tire porker garages in britain are allowed to fit in that size,


the weight thing is a subjective issue...but they are heavy no doubt about it

[Harris_I]

Given the comments above, I am now looking at a set of 18" BBS Le Mans with PZero Rossos. I see a lot of 19" BBS wheels on turbos and GT3s and they look fabulous, but I guess 19 is one size too far for my humble unadorned C2.

[spining-v-grid]

This really doesn't apply to your car but my experience is as follows.

I have a Boxster which had 16inch alloys, they were naff. I replaced these with 19inch Antera's. The looks are amazing, everyone comments on how good the car looks, so a win here. The tyres can be supplied by Yoko, Conti & Pirelli so no problem here either.

My car has the Porsche sports package, ride height has been reduced and the springs are stiffer - no catching front or rear, even on full lock.

The downside is the ride, it is like a race car - i feel every bump. I am convinced I lost a filling sometime back!! I just put up with it, why else would I drive a Porsche.

The choice is with you, I cannot see any problems but do not quote me on that. Good luck.

SVG

[toppstuff]

spining-v-grid said:

This really doesn't apply to your car but my experience is as follows. I have a Boxster which had 16inch alloys, they were naff. I replaced these with 19inch Antera's. The looks are amazing, everyone comments on how good the car looks, so a win here. The tyres can be supplied by Yoko, Conti & Pirelli so no problem here either. My car has the Porsche sports package, ride height has been reduced and the springs are stiffer - no catching front or rear, even on full lock. The downside is the ride, it is like a race car - i feel every bump. I am convinced I lost a filling sometime back!! I just put up with it, why else would I drive a Porsche. The choice is with you, I cannot see any problems but do not quote me on that. Good luck. SVG

That is the problem is'nt it?

We all love the appearance of big wheels but the car so often drives better on smaller wheels. Last time I drove a boxter on 16's it drove much nicer than the other I drove on 18 inch GT3 replicas'.

Me? I'd probably stick with the skinnies. But then I am old, and don't care what it looks like...