18" v 17"

[delta]

Is it me or does a 993 C2 handle better i.e more balanced and more adjustable on the limit, with 17" 205 fronts 255 rears than 18" 225 fronts 265 rears. I have driven both all be it 6 months apart. The reason for asking as I used to have a 993 with 18" turbo sold it as second child was arriving, bought a lancia integrale. A great car and if you get a chance to drive one do it but its not a porsche! Then my friend who bought my 993 was selling it again so I bought it back but it now has 17" targa wheels which I have to say are not my favourite. But I was considering reshoeing it with 18" until I drove it and I reckon it's a better drive for having the smaller wheels. Basically is my memory of how it handled before on 18" wrong and I should put 18" back on it again as I have to admit it looked better for it.

Off topic but why does it say non member when I am[].Have I done something wrong on logging on?

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Not sure about 993, but I understand the Facrory drivers say the Boxster handles better on 17"...

As to your second question, see below...

 

[968er]

I had 18" on my first 993 and thought it was prone to tramlining.

On my current 993 I have 17" wheels and do think it handles better. Also if you lower the car, the 17" wheels look much better.

And to your last question, don't worry I am in the same boat, but just have never got around to letting them know.

 

[delta]

Does lowering affect the handling though? And what lowering kits are out there that are worth their salt so to speak

 

[968er]

Lowering improves handling, if the fitment is done correctly. However you may ruin the ride if your dampers are close to the end of their life and the springs do not compliment what is already fitted.

H&R do a good set and you can look to lower the car about 25 - 30mm. I currently have the Porsche M033 lowering springs but may change them as I am currently trying to decide on what set of dampers to fit.

 

[peterarcher]

I have never tried a 993 with 17's on but I have met a lot of people who say 17's are better - and quieter. I guess at the end of the day it comes down to what you are happy with.
Cheers
Peter

 

[laura]

Hi guys

We were thinking of putting 18" turbo style wheels on Blue but in the light of what's been said, may be not. Can anyone tell us though, are 17" turbo style genuine Porsche wheels available or would they only be copies? How do you tell the genuine from non genuine?

 

[Rotorhead]

There seems to be a fascination with ever increasing wheel sizes.

There may be some technical merits, but, IMO, it is mainly down to aesthetics.

Smaller wheels are widely regarded as being quieter, more comfortable and providing more progressive handling characteristics.

All the fastest Caterhams run on the smallest diameter 13" wheels. E46 M3 BMWs are much nicer on 18" rather than 19" wheels, and in the latest Autocar Peter Robinson reckons the new Boxster will be better on 18" rather than 19" wheels. My own '73 RS is much nicer on the road with 6s&7s than 7s&8s.

It might improve the grip but it can compromise the ride and handling.

 

[968er]

Maurice,

You are a wealth of information[]

Have to try and come with a brainteaser for you[]

 

[delta]

I suppose the reason 993's on 18" are faster is due to the surface of a track as compared to your average Queens highway therefore the decreased flexiblity in the sidewalls will allow for higher cornering speeds, but IMO the increased fun from the 17" far outways the probable nil gain of speed on the roads

 

[laura]

Maurice, I am soooo glad you are a 993 man - you have got so much info in that little head of yours. Where would we be without you! Thanks.[]

 

[David]

49,000

 

[Guest]

£49,000 really is on the low side for good C2S.

Not that I'm at all biased. [8|]

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: delta

Is it me or does a 993 C2 handle better i.e more balanced and more adjustable on the limit, with 17" 205 fronts 255 rears than 18" 225 fronts 265 rears. I have driven both all be it 6 months apart. The reason for asking as I used to have a 993 with 18" turbo sold it as second child was arriving, bought a lancia integrale. A great car and if you get a chance to drive one do it but its not a porsche!

funny - i've just sold a delta evo 1 for a 3.8 C2! - a delta with 17inch wheels handles like a pig compared to dinky little 15inchers - likewise 18's (to me anyhow) on a 993 feel aweful compared to the 17's. Side wall flex is the biggest factor. Sure 18s look great - but i'll be sticking with my 'user friendly' 17's

Marc

(ps if you still have the delta i have some bits n pieces for sale as i no longer need them)

 

[delta]

I've still got the Evo 2 on 16" ( the wife thinks I'm selling it!!![]). Doesn't need any parts at the moment but being a 'grale it will soon . I'll keep you in mind.Was yours modified at all? IMO a standard evo grale would keep up with a standard C2 on the very twisty stuff but only just but the straighter it got the more the porsche would pull away.Also I believe the lancia "flatters" whereas the porsche "rewards" What do you reckon. How do you like 2wd great innitt!!

Edited to say wow my first post has gone on to 2 pages What a friendly chatty bunch you are![] and to think my wife thinks I'm the only one who talks alot about cars!

 

[Guest]

definately an equal in speed but as you rightly say not the same challenge to drive.

mine was an evo 1 large turbo. modifications - just engine wise - tubular manifold 3inch exhaust and running 1.7bar boost (needed uprated clutch for all that) - about 90bhp more than standard - so was quicker than my replacement 3.8 by quite a margin.

bought the evo because i wanted one when i was a teenager. bought a 911 because i always wanted one as a teenager.... dont know what to have in 2 year time....

really wanted to keep the evo as well but like my dingly danglies where they are (GF would have mamed me!)

have you ever tried the car on original 15's - more fluid in my opinion. (have a refurbed set if you know anyone who wants some?)

marc