18 INCH ALLOYS?

[MICHAEL964]

Hi Guys,
In my search to have my 17 inch Cups refurbished (see previous link)I have found what I think could be a good alternative? I have found some good looking 18 inch alloys with good tyres in very excellent condition. Could any one tell me if there are any issues with fitting 18 inch Rims to a 964? I realise ride quality will suffer a little, but the look is more than enough to compensate for this.

many thanks Michael..

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Michael,

It's a bit of a long story, but basically, many people have done it. For a longer explanation and some background have a look here.

Regards

Dave

 

[MICHAEL964]

Dave
Many thanks for the quick responce. If I am not incorrect you have 18s on your 964? Do you have or had any problems with them?

Regards Michael..

 

[964RS_Fan]

My 964RS had 18" rims on it at the time I bought it. One of the previous owners went also through the effort of having the registration documents changed. My "Fahrzeugbrief" lists the 18" rims now as optional "boots".

Unlike at the C2 / C4, wheelhouse arches of a RS are rolled. I think in the first place the intension was to allow for a "lower" ride. However it also made the usage of 18" rims possible.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Michael,

No problems at all with the fact that they are 18". I had some issues when I changed offsets - but that's another story. As you said originally, the ride becomes a little harsher because of the stiffer, shorter sidewalls but that's only to be expected.

I agree with you that the 18" wheels just suit the car so well. I have even seen 19" wheels on a 964 but that just doesn't look right.

Regards

Dave

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Klaus,

They look like Cargraphic rims you have on your car - with surprisingly small offsets I would guess. That would explain why the rolled arches are a benefit to you but with more "normal" offsets even 10" wide 18" wheels don't come close to the wheel arches.

Regards

Dave

 

[johncolt]

I seem to be going in the opposite direction to most other 964 owners. My January 1992 car has these wheels with Dunlop 225/40 ZR18 tyres at the front and 265/35 ZR18 at the rear.

Can anyone identify exactly what these wheels are please? Would they have been original equipment? I would like to consider changing them for 17" wheels and tyres because I don't need ultimate roadholding and I find the ride a bit harsh. There is also the constant danger of 'kerbing' the rims.

I would like to keep the same type of wheel, are 17" versions available? What other options would there be? Of course the rolling radius would have to be the same. Would there be any issues with PCD and offset?

Someone said that 17" wheels and tyres wouldn't fill the wheel arches so well and would spoil the appearance of the car. Any comments please?

Thanks, johncolt

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

John,

The wheels you pictured are commonly called "Turbo Twists" or "Cup 3" wheels. There are a number of different designs and sources, either Porsche OEM or replicas from Mille Miglia among others. I believe similar wheels ARE available in 17".

The "filling the arches" issue is often misunderstood. The overall size of trhe 17" wheel/tyre combination is, surprisingly, larger than a similar 18" combination. This is because the tyres used on a 17" rim have a higher aspect ratio than the 18" tyre. They are still within the 6% allowed tolerance, but larger nevertheless.

The visual appearance is obviously different since with the 18" rims you see more "wheel" and less "tyre" and this tends to be a more fashionable preference although the smaller rim will give a more compliant ride through the higher sidewalls.

Regards

Dave

 

[freedman]

ORIGINAL: johncolt

I seem to be going in the opposite direction to most other 964 owners. My January 1992 car has these wheels with Dunlop 225/40 ZR18 tyres at the front and 265/35 ZR18 at the rear.

Can anyone identify exactly what these wheels are please? Would they have been original equipment? I would like to consider changing them for 17" wheels and tyres because I don't need ultimate roadholding and I find the ride a bit harsh. There is also the constant danger of 'kerbing' the rims.

I would like to keep the same type of wheel, are 17" versions available? What other options would there be? Of course the rolling radius would have to be the same. Would there be any issues with PCD and offset?

Someone said that 17" wheels and tyres wouldn't fill the wheel arches so well and would spoil the appearance of the car. Any comments please?

Thanks, johncolt

Too answer one of your questions, no 18in wheels were not supplied as original equipment on N/A 964s

 

[johncolt]

Anyone interested in a possible swap of my 18" wheels and tryres for equivalent 17" ?