Porsche 911 UK Enthusiasts Online Community Discussion Forum GB

Welcome to the @Porsche911UK website. Register a free account today to become a member! Sign up is quick and easy, then you can view, participate in topics and posts across the site that covers all things Porsche.

Already registered and looking to recovery your account, select 'login in' and then the 'forget your password' option.

Has anyone put 18" wheels on their 997? Results?

The Hack

Silverstone
Joined
28 Feb 2024
Messages
135
I'm curious if this has been done and how much of an improvement in ride and handling resulted?

Aesthetically, the 997 probably looks better on 19" wheels, but large wheels and tyres always detrimentally affect the way a 911 drives.
 
The base came with 18” wheels as standard.
 
18’s are the norm.I think you’ll find some photos on here with some sporting 20’s not that I’m saying they look right with the rims that big
 
A lot of the track rats, especially in the US run 18"s and say Hoosiers. They keep saying it's easier to find the stickier rubber.
 
Most cars that you'd see at Santa pod and the like ran smaller wheels. So the track thing makes sense.
 
997.2 running my favourite wheel the BBS LM in 18” diameter. Personally I think they look too small for the arches. 20s are too big though.

1737726249445.jpeg
 
Thanks guys. What about real world experience comparing 18" and 19" wheels (in terms of handling and ride) on the same 997 model?
 
Aesthetically, the 997 probably looks better on 19" wheels, but large wheels and tyres always detrimentally affect the way a 911 drives.

If you're asking about your own car (a C4S iirc) that aesthetic is particularly important as 18" wheels on a wide bodied 997 would look a bit odd.

Porsche included 19" wheels as part of the C4S set up so I suspect changing to 18" would be detrimental to your particular car.
 
If you're asking about your own car (a C4S iirc) that aesthetic is particularly important as 18" wheels on a wide bodied 997 would look a bit odd.

Porsche included 19" wheels as part of the C4S set up so I suspect changing to 18" would be detrimental to your particular car.
Thanks - yes you're right. Probably not a good idea in my case. :)

Plus, mine has been slightly lowered and has wheel spacers (geo set-up by Centre Gravity), so a lot of hassle to get things adjusted to 18" wheels.
 
I have 18" winters, admittedly a C2S (which was 19's by default).

The 18" are more comfortable, but being winter tyres I couldn't say if they handle better... The rears are narrow on the set I have as well, so more about day to day driving in crap weather. But they do fit, and work well and not as harsh as the 19's.
 
Thanks guys. What about real world experience comparing 18" and 19" wheels (in terms of handling and ride) on the same 997 model?
ride quality is better on 18"
handling is sharper on the 19"

1737741193533.png

1737741222642.png
 
Considered moving to 18s on my C4S (lighter weight, better ride) but found it very difficult to source the correct rear tyre sizes to keep the AWD F/R ratio correct (295/35 R18 I think it was).
 
As long as they clear your brake calipers then you should be fine. I agree 20's are too big visually and the smaller the wheel the higher profile tyre you can fit, and though it may compromise handling a bit it will be less likely to be destroyed by a pothole!
 

New Threads

Forum statistics

Threads
126,828
Messages
1,474,096
Members
52,409
Latest member
Phil909
Back
Top