Big Swole

When shopping for your 991.1 or 991.2 TT / TTS did you pass up on the 5 Lug cars or CL cars even though you loved the spec, simply because of which wheels it had??

Have you found an Advantage or Disadvantage to buying either??

Has Anyone Ever really felt a difference in traction (Street or Track) by having the 1/2 Narrower Wheels with the 5 Lugs??

Would you pass up a great car solely for the wheel choice?

Finally, Has anyone ever converted a 5 Lug car to CL's or a CL to 5 Lug?? What was the cost? (Not including the CL wheels / 5 Lug Wheels)



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r00t61

The CLs look cooler, but the logistics of dealing with them can cause headaches

A decent Firestone/Discount Tire/etc-type place can handle 5-lugs, even on your expensive TT. They'll be clueless on CLs - won't have the gigantic breaker bar needed, and won't know about the idiosyncracies involved in removing/reinstalling - e.g., the anti-sieze paste, backing off 1/8 turn after tightening to seat and retighten, making sure the little lock collar is fully disengaged

That leaves only the dealer, and indies that know what they are doing

If you do your own tire changes, you need the breaker bar (very expensive $$$) and a method for engaging the brake while you are not in the car - helpful partner or extension jig

I prefer 5-lugs - I really like the Fuchs-like design of the .2 Sport Classics - but the deal I got on my TT with CLs was very good, so I figured YOLO

Big Swole

Well I actually bought the Precision Torque Wrench / breaker bar set, CL alignment tool, and the paste and did my own wheel change twice (bought a spare set...now for sale) before trading my 997.2 TTS for another non-pcar.

So doing it isn't a problem for me...However your point about just about anyone doing tire changes (when away from home) is valid.

I do like the CL's also.. However I found (have found others) a nice spec 991 TTS but it has the 5 Lugs.

For some reason Porsche made the 5 lugs .5 inches more narrow (8.5 F & 11R VS 9.0F & 11.5 R on CL's). I just wonder why and if there any REAL Measurable performance gain / loss there.

Tires sizes are the same though, which is strange.. Why the .5 difference?

Dennis C

If I recall correctly, the rear centerlocks are 12.0” wide on the 991.2 cars and 11.5” on the 991.1 cars. I’m not sure why that change was made either.

CBejbl

Bought a turbo and not a turbo S specifically to avoid the CL.

kouzman

I love the look of the CL but I was lucky enough to find a Turbo S with the 5 lug. Much easier to deal with, especially you have a second set for track days etc, and swap often.

99Gdzra

My opinion only... a TTS without CL’s is a deal breaker to me. I prefer the looks of the center locks on all the turbo cars I’ve had, as well as the GT3 I had. It’s purely aesthetics to me based on the profile view of the car.

I purchased a Snap-On torque wrench when I had my 997.2 TTS and it hasn’t eaten anything sitting in my closet in its case even when I was away from Porsche chasing my Mclaren dreams for a couple years... my only costs incurred was the initial purchase. I put aftermarket wheels on every car I have had, so having the necessary tools to do wheel swaps is a must for me.

Anyway, this post and .50 cents will buy you a cup of coffee, but you now know my opinion on CL’s vs 5 lug wheels on turbo cars. Best of luck on your search, Buddy!! I know you’ll find the perfect car for you.

MotoJB

My 991 Turbo S came with 5 lug...and I'm happy it did. I'd rather not have to deal with the potential headaches of CL. Being a wheel ***** and as an added bonus, 5 lug wheels choices are seemingly cheaper and more plentiful.

Big Swole

I'm really still at odds with this. Since I purchased what I needed to change CL's and did it two times, I know it's not a huge deal.
Yet, I've never had to worry about a Flat (YET) out on the street or on a trip somewhere. This is my main concern.

Secondly, I'm still curious why Porsche made the 5 lugs narrower and if there's any discernible performance diff, even though they install the same size tires on them both.



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onfireTTS

I would not worry at all about the wheel width. 0.5” is not consequential unless you are looking for 0.00x improvement at the Ring. Probably a supplier default width in 5 lug.

r00t61

Since you already have the CL tools and experience, I would not let CLs stop you from buying a car if everything else was to your liking

You gotta go swole or go home

Pb Pedis

This. I have a strong preference for the CL look over the 5 lug OEM options, and won't change unless/until I buy some HRE's in 20" or 21" (also CL style). Now you have my opinion too - and the most value it can provide you would be realized if you printed this and set fire to the page...keep you warm on those frigid August nights in Georgia!

Big Swole

Thanks everyone for their posts and opinions!!

I'll still be thinking on it for a bit.

BMS

I'm the total opposite, I was looking for a TTS that was 5lug and got soooo lucky. So much easier when modifying and using a car for R&D.

-Payam

Big Swole

Only because I look at everything in term of possible "resale", Does anyone think a TTS with 5 Lugs would be a challenge to sell over the CL's?


I see plenty of 5 Lug TTS's out there... I guess they sell fairly well.