Can you see the difference with the notorious 5mm spacer set on a 997 C4S?
Take the following test concerning the three photo exhibits shown below – these are A, B and C as written in Speed Yellow text.
All three photos were taken within an hour of each other at my remote testing facility (actually, it was at my mother’s house safely removed from the confines of Boston). The camera was on a tripod which was taped securely in place. The only difference is the position of the sun !!!!!! (I tried to control this but could not).
There are two sets of wheels involved:
-19” Carrera Classics with stock Michi PS2: 8J 235/35 front, 11J 305/30 rear
-18” MM3 with Winter Conti T810S: 8.5J 235/35 front, 10J 265/40 rear
One pic is with the Winter Contis and a 17mm spacer in the rear; One pic is with the Carrera Classics w/o spacers; One pic is with Carrera Classics w/5mm spacers x4.
Scroll down slowly so you don’t spoil it,…if you can’t see the 18” MM3 wheels, please visit another automotive forum now.



Yes, you guessed correctly….
A=18” Winter mode
B=Stock 19” Carrera Classics w/o spacers
C=Stock 19” Carrera Classics w/5mm spacers x4

It is indeed a fairly subtle difference. Was it worth the $292??? Maybe. I always felt like the stock rubber should have filled out the rear well a bit more on the C4 series – but it’s hard for me to tell now as I am just so damn happy to have my ‘real’ rubber back on the car.

Here are some other pics from my day of changing the tires over & over & over.

The 5mm Kit:


The kit comes with 20 new bolts (including 4 locking ones) which are 5mm longer:


Rear Hub: 17mm spacer, 5mm spacer respectively:


And,…the finished product:

 

Excellent post!

A definitive difference. Fills the wheel wells perfectly at the rear.

 

I can tell as well, however 5mm may be a bit to small for the rear....

 

I have 5mm spacers on my front wheels and it's not that big of a differense. The back wheels have 17mm spacers, those you don't miss.

 

You anesthesia guys have way too much time on your hands! Looks good.
What winter offfset and spacers did you end up using?

 

I have back spacers of 5mm on my 997, there is a difference, but in person its not that dramatic. I would like to see 17mm on the back ?? whow, isnt that a little stress back there. I opted for no front spacers. The pics look GOOD though. I think I need bigger....no pic sorry!?

 

Love the new avatar Vikki!!!

 

Turbo Midnight Blue, gotta love it? Thanks to DJ... Avatar
My 997 soon to be PSE 'ed...this week ..
I am waiting patiently to be bad....

 

Great detailed post. Your car looks great.

 

a valuable post with merit.

 

I could tell right away which had the spacers in your Carrera Classic pics, Dave. So, the 997 obssessive-compulsive eye can spot them. Nice comparo pics, thanks.

 

Thanks Chris. But believe me, I'm working my *** off!!!!
With the winter contis 265 I used the Porsche 17mm set in the rear. As you can see from the photo, even with the increased offset of the Mille Miglia 3 rims it still doesn't fill out the wheel well....but. it was all in the interest of driving safely this winter.

 

What rim offset on the front/rear?

 

ahhhhh summer mode....looks great man, good work.

i had 15mm on my rears and i loved them (prior to hre's)

 

Hey DiMisa1977........what wheel sizes and offsets are your HREs? did you have to roll the fenders?

Looks hot!