I have a set of OEM 18" and aftermarket 19"s for my 996tt - I can tell you without a doubt the 18s are a far better wheel in terms of handling and feel (and tire availability)! For me, it seems that I am better off just running a set of 18s all the time (street + little track), but I havent found a set of 18s that looks decent. I absolutely hate the effort of swapping wheels and the added costs of multiple sets of wheels/tires.

I have found that almost all of the aftermarket 18"s that are light enough or reasonably priced are going to be a lipped design. Unfortunately, in 18" diameters, I have found that design to be a poor choice given the fact that "lipped" wheels look roughly one inch smaller. I think the 18" turbo twist wheels look properly sized on a lowered car given their non-lipped design, but would prefer something lighter and a wheel that makes my car look a bit more "individual."

That being said, I have been on the lookout for a very nice non-lipped lightweight wheel that isnt outrageously priced. I came across the OZ Ultraleggera and found them to be a great option - they are very light, very reasonably priced, and look awesome!......but currently only available in 19". I was told that Damon@tirerack that OZ MIGHT produce these wheels in a 18" fitment for P-cars, but they are at least a year off. I have a few customers looking for the same product (a lightweight 18" non-lipped wheel) and I was going to purchase a few sets to stock. As a automotive retailer, I was going to take the initiative of contacting OZ to see if they actually have plans to release 18" fitments, and if we can urge them to make it a priority.

Let me be clear about something: I am not a forum sponsor and do not want to make any money off this (if it makes things easier, we could probably set it up for all purchases for this wheel to be made through the tirerack). I just figured that I could help any interested parties find a product that might suit their needs a bit better than what is currently available - I will make this a priority, whereas tirerack obviously has more important things to deal with than calling OZ to make Ultraleggeras for a limited number of end users. This purpose of this thread is to determine interest and I can go to OZ with a rough number of sets that I can buy to motivate a production run.

Any interest?

 

I will start off:
(I will be ordering 3 Sets)

1. ExclusiveTT 1 set 18" Ultraleggera
2. Stock set for ExclusiveTT 1 set 18" Ultraleggera
3. ExclusiveTT Customer #1 1 set 18" Ultraleggera
4.

 

Would the O.Z. Alleggerita HLT work? I think Damon has a thread on this somewhere. It looks very similar to the Ultraleggera and ONLY comes in 18".

 

yep, they are a very good option and probably what I will purchase if the Ultraleggera is not produced. It is a lipped design, so it will look a bit small in my opinion, but it is light and reasonably priced.

 

I would take a pair.

I agree alleggrita is close, but the Ultraleggera is a way nicer looking non lipped wheel.

 

Add your name to the list!

 

Yes, I will add my name to the list too. what are the weigths for 18'x9" and 18"x11". Whais the difference between Ultraleggera an Ultraleggera HLT?

How long will this take?, I am in the list for the Alleggerita with tire rack, but since the delay and not solid date for delivery I can cancel that order.

 

Sorry for the confusion. This will be the ultraleggera HLT. HLT is the process that OZ uses to make the wheel lightweight. It should be VERY similar weight to the alleggerita, but look much better IMO. The wheel is scheduled to be released in spring (last I was told), but if I can get a decent list together, I was hoping to motivate TR+OZ to make these a priority.

1. ExclusiveTT 1 set 18" Ultraleggera
2. Stock set for ExclusiveTT 1 set 18" Ultraleggera
3. ExclusiveTT Customer #1 1 set 18" Ultraleggera
4. mobonic 1 set Ultraleggera
5. Gus F 1 Set ultraleggera

 

?????? How does that accusation ring true? I HAVE asked them on this, and told you that. You just don't seem to be satisfied with the answer. And providing you with the name of our contact at OZ like you asked me for and going over our head bugging someone there won't get them here any faster, trust me. It isn't the way they work. The bottom line is this is an aging car line and what they consider a mature market for their product. We may not think so here on 6speed, but in the big picture of the wheel industry it is.

It's a 10 year old model and most top wheel makers are not adding wheels to their lineups for the 996 anymore. I don't believe they had plans to produce the 996 19" Ultraleggera until GUESS WHO talked them into it. I'm quite sure at the time it was decided that 19" would be produced that 18" was discussed. But you have to keep in mind we are talking about very expensive molds here, in excess of $75k each. One for each width and offset. Then there's tooling costs (they don't just come out of the mold done), painting, etc. And the fact that there will be more of a market for Allegeritas than Ultraleggeras once they hit the streets as that's where the real weight savings are.

You can build a list all you want, but unless you are talking about quantities of probably 1000 wheels per SKU it won't be considered economically feasable to do.

I don't disagree at all that 18" is a great idea, I just don't personally see it happening, not with the Allegerita on our doorsteps.

I will have my wheel manager again rattle OZ's cage harder to see if they will produce them, but I can't just go giving out contact information without permission. Sorry. If he will allow me to provide you with his email address I will forward it to you.

No hard feelings. Sometimes the truth stings a little.

 

whoa..... you totally interpreted that the wrong way......

I meant that TIRERACK is a HUGE company and has better things to do than push OZ to make a wheel for a very limited number of potential buyers. I just figured that as a "little guy," I could do a bit of the legwork to make it happen - I figured that would be helpful for all parties involved... You need to chill out and possibly reevaluate the "tone" in your response.

btw, cant the 997s run the same width and offets as a widebody 996? I wouldnt say the 997s are antiquated jsut yet....

 

Thats funny I just saw this wheel and was saying to myself....

This is a perfect wheel with no lip if it only came in 18".

 

I as well would be interested in a set of 18" ultraleggeras. I agree that the alleggerita will look a bit small for a lipped 18.

Actually, I would prefer even more an 18" version of the 1-piece superleggera. It was a beautiful wheel.