I just bought my 996TT a few weeks ago and am going to be ready to put some wheels on the car very soon. I am having a hard time deciding weather to go with 18s or 19s for a few reasons.

19"s definately look much better, make the car look badass actually, but I have heard many say that they do not help performance and actually slow acceleration even if the wheel is 100% forged and weighs less than the stock 18" wheel.

18"s on the other hand are supposed to be better for track and street performance, etc, but I feel that they look too small on the car, and I dont know if I could live with that look on a day to day basis.

I honestly dont track my car that much, but plan to be getting into it much more in the near future and want to go with the best option. I am sure that some good advice here would help not just me, but many other people that are having the same delima. Thanks for any good advice.

 

i say get the 19's if that is what will make the car the best looking for you and keep the stock 18's and put some michelin pilot sport "CUP" tires on them for the track. the 19''s WILL not ride as good or handle as well as the 18's, but in truth are you REALLY going to going to the absolute limits on the road?? i know mullholland drive is fun and a fast handling road, but still you will not be hitting it as hard there as you would a track at most points (b/c of traffic alone), so i say get the 19's for street and 18's for track.

 

Why do 18" wheels handle better than 19s? I thought that a 19 with a lower profile tire would have a stiffer sidewall, equalling less flex and a larger rotational mass would provide sharper turn in response and better handling overall? If 18s are a better wheel then why do supercars, such as the Carrera GT or Ferrar Enzo use 19 and 20" wheels?

 

18" performance vs 19" bling. i think gt2next got it right, 19" and keep the stocks, but i would run the corsa rubber for the track or get crazy with some kumo or hoosier slicks.

 

This is a debate that will never end.

CGT and Enzo use larger wheels but with larger overall rolling diameter as well.

Why do Porsche use 18" on their RACE cars?

 

well said Ty. the cgt and enzo uses a larger diameter with a comprarable amount of side wall to allow some give/roll in the tire. too stiff and short a side wall is in relation to the softness or compound of tire surface, determines the way the car hooks up. so on a 19" wheel to get the diameter right it obviously needs a shorter and stiffer side wall so the tire doesn't roll to a point when the rim could possible scrap or fold. this means more wear on the insides of the tires, which also means a short lived tire. too soft a surface compound and the tire will only last a thousand miles. so this may be one of the reasons you can not get a real sticky tire for 19", it's impratical.

 

good point... I wasn't saying that 18s are wrong, I was just asking for professional opinion. I think I will keep the 18s with R Comps on them and use the 19s for street.

 

I'm with Hamann7 - I bought 19's and got rid of them. I think 18's look great and I don't worry about a tire blowing when I'm pushing it around tight corners.

to each his or her own...

 

Hey Ken, did you can Dan yet about the wing?

 

I went with 19s but kept the 18s.

 

I was recently discussing the 18" vs 19" for my TT the other day with my brother, and he reminded me about a similar discussion we had back in the 80's about my 1986 Carrera, (which came with 16" wheels) when I put on the RUF 17" wheels. At that time, we thought 17's were huge, and I remember talking about how the ride was more harsh with the 17's. It's all relative, I guess..... I'd say go for what looks nice to you.

Sincerely,
Paul

 

I am purchasing new wheels, and staying with the 18's. There are more tire choices available. You might find the tire you like, and then it might not be available again, if you need to replace a tire. It might take some time to get it. As far as performance you are better off with the 18's. You can go up a size to a little wider tire and wheel. That will give you a better look, and lower the car some, also. It should help in the handling of your car. Stay with the 18 inch. I am going to the GT2 wheel and tire size on my turbo.

 

18"

 

I read somewhere that a little more sidewall is better on the track. I do not recall why that is. Nevertheless, I am buying 19s for my car. If I decide I don't like them, I can always go back. Like some others, I currenlty have GT2 size tires.

 

I think I have to get 19s... my buddy just put some on his 996TT yesterday, and they are BAD *** w/ a 4" lip in the rear. I am going to keep my stock wheels and put some track tires on them for track days. The 19s just look so good day to day. Honestly, we shouldn't be pushing our cars to the limit that makes a difference on the street.