Speedraser

Mike,

I'll tell you why I have no plans to replace my 17s with 18s.

1) I think the 17s look plenty big.
2) They are lighter (unless you get hollow or lightweight forged 18s), so the ride and handling on rough surfaces will be better.
3) The extra absolute grip from the wider 18s is fairly minimal, and largely useless on the road -- on track, if you're racing, you'll corner a little faster with 18s, all else being equal.
4) The slightly narrower 17s are less prone to aquaplaning.
5) Some people say that a narrower front tire offers more steering feel.
6) You're less likely to bend a wheel or damage a 17" tire b/c the sidewall isn't as short as the even-lower profile 18s.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against 18s. For my use (mostly street w/ some DEs), I don't see any advantage to 18s.

BTW, late-production '95s don't need the steering rack brace (if I remember correctly), although I don't know when the change was made. A search should provide the answer.

Did I save you any money?

Mark in Baltimore

Don't I wish. Too late.

At least on my late model build '95, my car did not come with the steering rack brace.

GTR 993

I had the 18's and did not get the steering rack reinforcement and I did not have any problems but its probally a good idea to get it done. I did notice the 18's were heavier even being a lightweight Techart wheel. You can definately feel the difference my car would chirp the tires going into second with the 17's but would not with the 18's on hard accelleration. They look really good though. JMO

TroyN

I had read about the need for a brace (and just got one in, had to be special-ordered from Germany!), but didn't see that it was just the '95's that needed it. I thought it was all cars except turbos? The name of the mag that had the blurb's name escapes me right now - it's a UK magazine, and has been including a special insert for the 40th anniversary of the 911.

hn

100% true. I went for 18" wheels only because I like the look of the thinner side wall of the tires.

24FPS

hey listers---->
noticed that jack got sport classics in 7.5front & 10rears... will a narrow body be able to take an 8.5front wheel? i was thinking it would... am i wrong?

thank you

max911

my 18in. RUF fronts are 8.5 inches wide (can't remember the exact offset)
...by the way, the front fenders are the same on all body configurations--Turbo, C2S, C4S, Carrera, Cabriolet.
max

Carrera Mike

Todd, Greg, Hn & Greg GTR993,

Thanks fo the very good info/ sure save me $$$!! ~Mike

Vinny '98 3.8 C2S

This isn't really a 17 vs. 18 issue. You can go just as wide with 17's. I have 245's and 315's on my 17" Fikse's.

Having said that, I'm with Mike on the preference for a 17. They ride better on the street, and I may be one of the few that think they look better. On some cars (Cobra's, older Ferrari's, 911's...including my car, the Ford GT, etc.) I love the more classic look of a meaty tire vs. low profiles.

Speedraser

Vinny,

I am assuming stock tire sizes: 205/255 with 17s, 225/265 with 18s.

fbfisher

First, it was not my intention to bully anyone into membership and I would not want to offend - dascar seemed to take my "nudge" with the good spirit that was intended. Of course the board is open to all and I have no interest in changing that or creating a hostile environment for non-members.

I manage and raise money for charitable 501c3 organizations so asking people to make a connection to the "value added" and to make a financial contribution is almost second nature to me. And I was truly pleased with dascar's response. I felt that by asking, I was actually helping to sustain the non-technical aspects of the board that we all seem to enjoy.

Again, no hostile or ill intentions on my part - Nuf said.

As for my experience with 18" wheels, I would add that my car came with them. The first time I added new rubber I went to 285 in the rear for the fat look. I recently changed the rear and in order to get the matching SO2s, I had to go down to 265 in the rear. This turns out to be a MAJOR improvement in ride and handling. I liked the look of the 285, but the car is much more balanced and has that "on rails" feeling with the 265s.

StevoUK

To add my two pence worth.
When I first got my 1997 993 Targa last year a point I noticed was the 17 inch wheels.
Looked small.
And the special Targa design had all the experts in the local pub saying "nice car - shame about those aweful aftermarket wheels."
So a week before a 4000 mile trip to Italy and France I changed to Veloce F1 18 inchers with new Rosso P-zeroes.
What a difference. The car looked cool!
In Europe on good road surfaces they were fine.
Good grip - firmer ride.
Then I got back to England a month later.
Awfull road serfaces.
The car tram lines in the ruts left by the trucks, requires constant steering inputs to run in a straight line. Brain dead at the end of a long run from concentration. Euro hatchbacks chase me on swoopy roads.
Ran over a pothole (nothing unusual in Hampshire) - bent a rear wheel.
Fixed that for 75 quid.
Swapped back to the 17 inchers - what a relief!
Comfort, predictability, hang the back out no problem. Runs in straighrt lines.
Brilliant.
Porsche manual - 18 inchers are not in the column as suitable for Targas. Only suitable for coupes. Too little side wall flex, too much bump and vibration transfered to glass roof structure, = too many rattles and roof needs adjusting more often.
Any one in the UK want to buy a set of F1 wheels and Rosso P-zero tyres that have done 4000 miles?

Allen

I replaced my 17” Cup wheels with 18” hollow spoke twists only because I think they look much better...especially when lowered ( I also have a PSS9). The big downside to me is the likelihood of bending a wheel is much greater and the ride is quite a bit more harsh. I have 225/40x18 on the fronts and 285/30x18 on the rear and the much smaller sidewall makes it a lot stiffer.

993Maineiac

I just asked this question (17 vs18) a couple of weeks ago so a search will find that thread quickly. Based on feedback-and the fact that my advanced age leaves me not a good judge of fashion-I went with 17s to replace the original 17" Cups. Since I like the look I went with turbos and since I have two teenagers I went with Chrome (please forgive me but it's the first time in weeks they've liked something I did).

Anyway, my car is lowered and very stiff so I didn't feel the need for more stiffness. That and our Moose hiding potholes convinced me to stay with 17s.

By the way, Stevo, what is 2 pence worth??

Al

Feehliks

A technical bulletin from Porsche exists, listing precisely those cars (even by VIN) which should not have 18 inch wheels due to some missing reinforcements on the body. This concerns MY 94 and 95 in particular. I have this bulletin in Germany, so unfortunaltely I cannot quote until in two weeks. However, then I will be happy to check someones 94 oder 95 VIN, if it is listed, or maybe I can scan the bulletin and make a pdf out of it.

I love my 17 inch original Cup wheels. Actually I bought another set with 225/255. I haven't installed them (needs to be approved by technical surveillance authority), yet, but I look forward to the difference. To my impression, the 17 inch Cup wheels can only be topped by 17inch Ruf wheels. Maybe I will have an opportunity some time.

Best regards

Felix