18" wheels upgrade

18" wheels upgrade

Author
Discussion

jabriel

Original Poster:

302 posts

242 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
quotequote all
Hi,

I have a '90 944 S2 and am looking to change my wheels.

In particular I am wanting to find some 18" Turbo II wheels. (usually found on a 964 I think.) Anyone know of some that are available (second hand)?

Regards,

Jabriel

speedy gonzalez

4 posts

283 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
quotequote all
I have got a nice pair of original 3 pcs. polished 18" speedlines incl. tyres. Front 8" with 225zr18/40 and back with 10" with 265zr18/35. They came from a genuine 964 Turbo S Lightweight. Best wheels a Porsche can wear! Interested?

jabriel

Original Poster:

302 posts

242 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
Sure am. Have you got any pictures of the wheels? what condition are they in? Do you know if they will fit the 944. I have been told any post '90 original porsche wheel should fit.

Jabriel

domster

8,431 posts

271 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
They had some up on ebay recently. I think they were going for about £800.

jabriel

Original Poster:

302 posts

242 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
Cheers Domster. I think i know the ones you are talking about. The guy said their is some lacquer peeling off. If i go for those, I would want to refurbish them as well. So far, the cheapest I have found anyone who will refurbish 3 piece split rims is JZ MACHTECH. They charge £175. Do you know anywhere i can have them refurb'ed for less than that?

domster

8,431 posts

271 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
That is a good price; it is a bitch of a job and they will deteriorate again in 6 months. They are not the ideal rim for keeping in spanking new condition.

You may also have problems with arch clearance; SFV runs 18 inch T2 speedlines (style at least, not sure of offsets) on his 968CS and I believe he has this problem; maybe email his profile and find out more.

My recommendation would simply be a nice set of Cup 1s. They suit the 944, they are plentiful and they look good. You can replace them easily if damaged and when painted in body colour like a 968CS they look awesome. (Paint them black if you like Rolling Stones songs and hate cleaning off brake dust.)

jabriel

Original Poster:

302 posts

242 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
Personally, I thought £175 per wheel was a bit pricey. But I'll take your word for it as I haven't really phoned around to find out what others charge.

I like the cup 1s but I want something different. (My 944 is turquoise!!!) Will upload some pics of it in a couple of weeks. (Having a 4k stereo installed during the next 2 weeks with footwells built and sub will go in front footwell on passenger side.)

I may go with the ones from the guy from ebay and refurbish them at a later date.

I was told PWS (www.performancewheelsupplies.ltd.uk/main.htm) are a good company and make good wheels. do you much about these guys? They have a 1 piece which looks like the 3 piece I'm after and is only 1k. Their 3 piece is about 1k more. If I go with these guys then at least I have brand new wheels. I'm just not too sure as to the quality of the wheels (i.e. strength and weight, not that I'm racing the 944)

Also, i've been told that any post '90 original Porsche wheel should fit the 944. Is this ture?

domster

8,431 posts

271 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
Oh, I thought you meant 175 for the set!!!!

That is pricey. My tech uses 'Diamond Styling', must be in Bicester somewhere. They do a good job apparently.

domster

8,431 posts

271 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
Cost of basic refurb on one piece wheel is from 30 quid each, split rims will be more - maybe double. Remember that you can buy a new rim from OZ for about 50 quid, and bolt it to the old inner. The expense is if all the bolts need changing cos they tend to rust or tarnish. Also, if you bought rims yourself you could undo the bolts yourself - there are so many people charge boredom money to do the job.

Haven't heard of the company you mention, but that doesn't mean much. Jasmine (do a google search for them) are very good and often have spare sets of wheels.

Remember that although stud patterns may be the same, different wheels have different offsets for use on different Porsches, and even going up and down in tyre width or profile can dramatically affect handling even if the correct offset is used.

Brain Goff at Jasmine should be able to tell you the correct offset for your car and if the 18s will work OK. He may even have a s/h set but they are a pricey wheel as a general rule. Lovely looking, but pricey.

murph7355

37,821 posts

257 months

Friday 5th March 2004
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jabriel - have you been on a track day yet in your car?

Before chopping your wheels in or blowing 4 grand on a stereo, have a go.

Honestly, it'll be the best money you ever spent.

rubystone

11,254 posts

260 months

Friday 5th March 2004
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Murph - thread hijack - collected car today, going well, 'box is cool, sounds great and flames looking good, roads a little wet though...

I hope the weekend is dry

jabriel

Original Poster:

302 posts

242 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
speedy gonzalez, where are you? i'm still interested in your wheels. Any chance of you sending me some pics?

Domster, thanks for the info, I’ll give Brian at Jasmine a ring over the weekend.

I'm not in a hurry for the wheels, but I am perhaps the most impatient guy you could ever meet.

Murphy, all new components being built for stereo are carbon fibre so are incredibly light. Also the subwoofer enclosure is removable, so when I do take he car for a track day, it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve heard it’s a lot of fun. Only had the car a couple of months so want to resolve some minor issues before I take it onto the tracks.

williamp

19,284 posts

274 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
944's dont like 18" wheels: too much tramlining.

If you must fit them, then you should fir castor bushes from a 968. These have more metal then the 944 bushes, and allow less movement. Hence less stress on the suspension components...