I'm thinking about buying a new set of wheels, right now I have the stock 18" turbo twists.
Would you stick with 18's or would you buy 19's?

I was mainly looking at the O.Z. Ultraleggera HLT 19", they look good, they are light compared for example to the BBS CH-R 19", and the O.Z. are $1800 a set.

Please post any pictures you have of a 996 (white would be great) with aftermarket 18/19's!

Thank you

 

I also came across Victor Equipment Zehn wheels, any thought about them?
Anyone knows how much does a 19x8inch rim weigh and how much does a 19x11inch rear rim weighs? I'd like to compare the weight to the O.Z.

 

What are you using the car/wheels for. Street, track ?...18" have more tire sizes/brands available, also most 18's will be lighter than 19's in general for light weight wheels...but it depends on thewheel. I am getting my new Forgestar F14- 18" next week. I will be weighing the wheels and tires as well as stock's also. I will post my findings asap. Decreasing unsprung weight is the key to better handling, lighter steering feel, quicker accellertion and better breaking. 1-2 lbs. not as crutial but 4-5 or more is noticable. Also look at the weight of the tire brands you are looking for. Tire Rack has all tire specs/wts. to compare. If your looknig only for looks, than 19's probably will look "better" and in the right wheel/tire combo may be lighter than stock?

 

Right now im running stock turbo rims and Yokohama advan AD08 and they are very good although rated up to 170mp/h i believe. I want to reduce sprung weigh, complete 19's with tires will weigh more than 18's you think?
Yes i noticed also tire choices for 19s are very limited and also very expensive.
It will be interesting to see how much the stock rims weigh when you replace them...


To answer your question i never tracked the car, i drive it very little usually on the weekends. I drove the car only about 2500mi in the last year and a half.

 

IMO 19s are too big on the 996, but many have them and seem to like them.

 

Here is a picture of my Turbo with 19 inch iForged Essen

 

From a different angle:



Given the choice, I would go back to 18s. With the very low profile tires that are matched with 19s, increased ride harshness and road noise can become an issue.

As for weight, there are lightweight wheels on the market where even in 19 inch configuration, they can weight less than the stock hollow spoke Turbo Twists. If I have to replace my iForged wheels today, I'd most likely go with 18 inch Volk Racing TE37s. The "Time Attack" color combination (I believe that's what the black wheel with red pinstripe is called) would look good on a white Turbo.

 

Looks great Rudy, same color combo I had on my STI.
Is your car lowered?

 

18" Victor Equipment wheels are not in yet, no info was released. Check out tons of photos of 18" & 19" on our site at www.wheeldynamics.com

 

Thanks for the compliment. The car is lowered with JIC Cross coilover.

 

I have 19" on my car, but the car is located in florida.. flat roads.. no pot holes etc, if I had my car on long island I might have went with 18"s for the better ride and for the bad roads... road condition should be part of your consideration

 

I bought 18" rims, HRE C20s....

I didn't want to trade off any performance- and also my roads are not smooth

 

looks awesome

 

For show go with 19". For performance and street survival go with 18". I have 3pc 19" and I've had to replace the inners on two of them due to poor street conditions. If you're going to do 19" consider one piece forged. 3pc look nice and you get a very attractive deep outer lip but they are heavier and more prone to going out of round from poor roads. Whatever size you buy think twice before get chromed wheels (or chromed outers). The moisture in compressed air causes the chrome to corrode and you end up with bead leaks. Nitrogen fill helps but you can't alway count it will be around.