My wife has a 911 GTS Cab on order and the finalization date for change is March 3. Porsche offer two versions of the center lock wheels in black and one silver traditional 5 lug. Not crazy about the black but want the center locks. There is always the option of getting them and having it powder coated in silver but don't want yanking off new wheels and tires to have them painted. Having said this, what are the advantages of the center lock?

 

I have had 5 lug, but my last several tts Porsche's I ordered all with center lock wheels, had to purchase a 3/4" torque wrench and breaker bar, have plenty of 1/2" torque wrenches and tools, but you need to torque the center nut to 442 ft lbs, I find it easier with two people, but have done it myself several times. Advantages? for the normal person I do not think there are any, OTHER than they look better IMO, the 5 lug require much less effort for the normal person to change out their wheels

 

Before the "drop-dead" date of March 3rd for changes, it is our only opportunity to specify the wheels without paying some ridiculous amount from the parts department. I had perhaps 15 Porsches over the years and still have a '18 Boxster GTS and a '21 Macan GTS with the conventional 130mm 5 bolt pattern (the Macan is only 110mm as it matches Audi and not the rest of the Porsche family). When Porsche upped the torque from 95 ft-lbs to 110, it was not big deal but 442 is another story (without getting crazy in cost, I found a practical limited of 250 ft-lbs torque wrenches). I was hoping someone could justify the center locks, which in my case means taking the wheels immediately off and having them powder coated in Porsche wheel silver but you just confirmed my thinking that that it is looks (perhaps a pound or two less unsprung weight is significant at the 24 hours of Dayton but not for DE or the street).

 

Centerlocks in my opinion are like racetex (alcantara) it wears poorly and costs more but we're attracted to it because its used on race cars (for grip on steering wheels). There are a multitude of features on road cars that are there simply to offer a link to the race car variant of that car to promote sales.

I am ordering a 992 GTS (hopefully within the month at the next round of allocations) and I'm determined to get center locks - despite the fact that I DD my car and I work on it a bit as well. I can't believe I'm saying this, but its the truth...they look cool and they are an open sign to other people admiring your car that its something special....

I sold my 991.2 carrera last year. It was a "base" car, but I had the calipers painted red, I had my dealer install a sport front lip (like the S has), I built it with black 20 inch wheels, black LED headlights, smoked rear brake lights, black badging on the back and clear turn signals from Suncoast. It looked like a GTS in other words. I can't tell you how many people over and over again would do the same thing when it was parked...they'd peek at the back of the car and say "it's just a carrera".

Lots of people need a tangible sign to be impressed. A beautiful car alone doesn't do it. They need to to see "Turbo" or "GTS" to be fully impressed. In my opinion the centerlocks send that message loud and clear. I used to not care about what other people thought as much. I guess I'm getting a little bit petty in my old(er) age LOL. I'd say the same extends to PCCBs which I am also leaning towards.

Anyway, I say go for the centerlocks. You only live once.

DRP

 

Same basic thoughts. I share a Boxster GTS with my wife, Patricia, and I have a Ferrari 488GTB. Besides for the fun of driving either of these, it is a kick having people come up to notice them. The 911 GTS Cab will be Pat's but it is till "mine" in many respects and the center locks are appealing if only for show. Funny, you mentioned somebody saying it is only a Carrera. About a month ago, I was sitting in the GTS with the windows down and I heard a group of young people talking about the car and really admiring it until I heard one say it is only a Boxster.