18's or 19's?
- Thread starter waspe
- Start date
My understanding from other reports, and my own experience of driving on both, is that the 18" wheels provide a more compliant and slightly quieter ride and, on the road, the handling is actually nicer. It doesn't follow that bigger wheels and lower profile tyres are better, but they are the fashion.
I have 18's on my (vanilla) 987 with Michelin PS2's. They give a comfortable ride on all but the roughest surface and still have oodles of grip. I've only done a 1000 miles, and have yet to really explore the cars abilities, but the odd gentle prod of the throttle at roundabouts etc, suggest the handling is going to be delicious fun. My only complaint is, I would like to have had a choice of design. But that's Porsche marketing for you. They like you to buy 19's for the looks so they can get more money out of you!
KP
KP
If you are getting PASM as well, then the 19's won't bother it - it'll still feel like a BMW saloon [
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Dapster
New member
If you like the look of the 19's and can stand the cost of replacing bigger tyres, then get them. They look the business and in my opinion, don't ruin the ride or affect the handling for the most part. You may find that if you're doing loads of track days the 18's do offer more delicate, predictable and progressive handling on the limit but if that's not what you're using the car for then don't worry - go 19!
TIP: If you are forking out over a grand for the wheel upgrade, then spend an extra hundred quid on the coloured crests - they make a world of difference.
TIP: If you are forking out over a grand for the wheel upgrade, then spend an extra hundred quid on the coloured crests - they make a world of difference.
waspe
New member
I wanted to thank those of you who have taken the trouble to reply. I am new to Porsche, and in fact am penning my questions from my home in Australia: I therefore cannot join PCGB, and envy the community you have.
I have also read that the handling is better on 18's, but in another article was warned against the 19's due to their tendency to telegraph every bump directly into the cabin. I assume they would also tramline significantly.
Unfortunately I don't have PASM in my order, but do have the coloured crests!
Again many thanks
Peter
I have also read that the handling is better on 18's, but in another article was warned against the 19's due to their tendency to telegraph every bump directly into the cabin. I assume they would also tramline significantly.
Unfortunately I don't have PASM in my order, but do have the coloured crests!
Again many thanks
Peter
Ali and I have just an done an extended a test drive (with the Porsche driving consultants) in two S's. Both had the 19" rims, Ali's had PASM, mine didn't.
Mine rode better on 19s than our current 03 S does on 17's and Sports suspension. Ali said that hers rode absolutely fine also.
To test the car a little, I went around a large and empty roundabout several times, the road was damp, and the handling and feed back was first rate, considerably better than our current one. I attributed some of this improvement to the 19s. I remember reading some comparisons of rim sizes a few years ago where the conclusion was not to go for 19s, but I wonder if tyre and rim technology has now caught up.
Mine rode better on 19s than our current 03 S does on 17's and Sports suspension. Ali said that hers rode absolutely fine also.
To test the car a little, I went around a large and empty roundabout several times, the road was damp, and the handling and feed back was first rate, considerably better than our current one. I attributed some of this improvement to the 19s. I remember reading some comparisons of rim sizes a few years ago where the conclusion was not to go for 19s, but I wonder if tyre and rim technology has now caught up.
Hello Peter
I specced mine with the 19" Carrera S wheels and find the handling and the ride to be fine - I know there is a concensus that the 18" offer a slightly more compliant ride and with better feedback, but to be honest I personally like the look of them as they fill the wheelarches a tad better.
I did try the 18" rims but didn't notice any significant difference on the road. The track may be another matter though.
The speccing of your car is always an enjoyment - I hope you get pleasure from it and even more when your car arrives.
Rob[]
I specced mine with the 19" Carrera S wheels and find the handling and the ride to be fine - I know there is a concensus that the 18" offer a slightly more compliant ride and with better feedback, but to be honest I personally like the look of them as they fill the wheelarches a tad better.
I did try the 18" rims but didn't notice any significant difference on the road. The track may be another matter though.
The speccing of your car is always an enjoyment - I hope you get pleasure from it and even more when your car arrives.
Rob[
]
waspe
New member
Dapster
Its a bit of a stripper. Arctic silver S, with heated seats, crested, sound package plus and coloured wheel crests. Options are outrageously priced in Australia, but I have what I need to get the best of the car.
I am amazed at the low speed torque and even more impressed with the handling. It feels like I'm seated deep in something carved from a single billet of metal, with the sound of a sweet mechanical symphony being played right in there with me. A dream car!
Peter
Its a bit of a stripper. Arctic silver S, with heated seats, crested, sound package plus and coloured wheel crests. Options are outrageously priced in Australia, but I have what I need to get the best of the car.
I am amazed at the low speed torque and even more impressed with the handling. It feels like I'm seated deep in something carved from a single billet of metal, with the sound of a sweet mechanical symphony being played right in there with me. A dream car!
Peter
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