Question for all of the wheel and tire experts. My buddy who recently purchased a 2003 996TT w/X50 and aerokit is looking to purchase a set of HRE P40's. He is debating between 18" or 19" wheels. I was concerned the weight of the 19" wheels would alter the handeling characteristics of the car. Is there a noticeable loss in performance with 19" wheels? Anyone know the weight of the P40's in 19" compared to stock?

Also, my friend lives in Chicago and will drive the car year round. I know the the PS2 are awesome dry pavement tires. How do they do in the wet and cold?

Any other tire suggestions is he goes with 19" wheels?

Thanks,
Adam

 

I removed a set of 18" HRE 540r with PS2's in favor of 19" BBS CH-R with Nitto Invo. I'm very happy with the change. The car is a tad bit harsher on 19's, but not too bad, I have no issues with it. I think 19's are fine on street, as long as the streets are fairly decent where you live.

I'm loving the CH-R's.

 

p40's dont come in 18", peronally i would say stick with 18's but just get a wheel with an aggressive offset for more stance.

 

HI,I live and drive my car all year around in Chicago....I posted a thread a while back ago,,All Season Tires,which is what I run in 18 inch.....Most all Porsche people do not do this OR have tried it..Do yourself a favor and look it up or PM me for my info and we can talk.....Also 18 is lighter,plus cheaper and more selection in A/S tires......Good Luck......

 

Hi Guys,I just wanted to give some insight on my experience with all season tires.Yes ,I have read all the posts.All the cons BUT I have put almost 20,000 miles on this combo since I bought my 2004 X-50 6spd and went threw the mods to the K24/18 g set-up now.Just giving my info to maybe help someone out there with ever thinking about it...First I have to say I am NOT a road racer or track person ,just a straight line guy that loves to drive his car as much as possible in Chicago's fall,winter and spring months.I do not mind to give up that extra cornering and stopping grip for a better ride and more pot hole protection......I run Michelin pilot AS plus 285/35/18 rears,yes 35 profile and 235/40/18 fronts.Air is 41 cold rear and 33 cold front.No burnt differential or problems yet..lol...I have had the car on the dyno numerous times and have had it up to 180mph many times and cruised on highway at 80mph plus for many road trips,like to EPL[CT.] for dyno work...the only thing I have noticed when the PSM is on,is that it is very sensitive to irregularities in the road when you do turn it on hard...And that is it.I hope I helped AND I know it is not the normal Porsche way to do things.But who is perfectly normal in these cars anyway???

 

Really? One of the sponsors on the right gave us a quote for 18" P40's. I will double check. Thx!

 

HI,All I am saying is that the all season tires are great for late fall and early spring until it is summer out.Then you can put the normal tires on ..But they also work well enough for my type of driving and road here in the city,as I stated..NO,they are not better then a snow tire,I do not drive in extreme snow fall to need snow tires.But they are better then a HP tire in those other seasons.I had snows on my 2002 996 supercharged and other then in the snow ,they were know where as good as all seasons in the late fall and early spring....I hope I was clear now.... Also the Rear Diameters 25.9 and the fronts are 25.4,,,,,,,,,,,,,This post and the other post above this,is from the Thread I posted awhile back ago.....Hope this gives you info to help you out......

 

Got it. I understand exactly what you are saying. I never considered all season but I might look into it. I tried a set of all season on a C5 Vette and took them off after 3 months as it totally changed the handeling dynamics of the car.

Thanks,
Adam

 

You are correct! Only 19". Thanks!

 

Yeah, I have definitely noticed a LOT more selection of 18" tires as well. Something to consider. Hmmm.

 

The closest to a P40 in 18" you can get is the new R40 series.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...monoblock.html

I would personally stay with an 18" wheel for the wider selection of tires (many options to choose from for a 315 rear tire), performance gains and better ride comfort.

 

And here is some more info on the R40's

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...li-slicks.html

And a great deal on brand new wheels - https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...8-r40-hre.html (no affiliation to wheels boutique)

 

Alex:

Wow, very cool! I do like those wheels. Seems like a smokin' deal as well.

Thanks,
Adam

 

Anyone have comments or experience with the PS2's int he cold and rain? I know for dry pavement they rock but curious if they can withstand the elements.

Adam

 

I use them on my DD and they are fantastic in the wet.

I got into snow once and it was horrible.