I am changing wheels on my 2000 996 cab (from 18s to 19s) - I know that I need to get a new alignment, but is it important I do this immediately or is it OK to drive it for a while first? thanks.

 

I would always recommend an alignment when getting new tires or new tires/wheels. You want to make sure you get the life you expect out of the tires - so a $150-200 investment will definitely pay off. Just my $0.02

BTW: I use Roger Krause racing here in the bay area. There is also a shop in Milpitas that Sharkwerks recommends (TCDesign) but I personally have no experience with them.

I would go to a shop that knows/does Porsche vs. a wheel works style shop.

 

I wouldnt pro-long it for more than a week or so.

 

Gentlemen:
Why should a tire shop with a computer based alignment machine not be used? I went to my local repair guy that just installed a new alignment machine. The tech punched in the year and model, the alignment specs and how to actually make the adjustments came up on the screen. If you are not corner balancing the car, then why are these people discounted? I sat in the car during the alignment and we made special specs for my car and these are now stored in this machines memory for the next time. This cost was $79.99. The car handled superbly at Watkins Glen later that week. My Porsche indie does alignments with string and a tape measure and charges around $200. This also takes a lot longer to complete as well. Please explain why a 4 wheel alignment on a porsche is different or require any more acumen from the tech that any other car with an independent suspension.
Thanks
James Greer

 

^^ I agree. No need to take it to a porsche only specialist. You can take it to pretty much any local tire shop. The only thing I made sure was that they had at least a little experience with porsches or higher end cars. I took it to a small local shop that does alignments on mostly domestic and japanese cars but they had done a 996 model a few weeks back. They showed me my current specs and recommended specs from their computer system. I adjusted the recommended numbers a little a they did the alignment to what I told them to and was charged their standard 99.99.