RE : alloys - will downsizing work ?

[GOOFY]

Hi

I need some advice. My M030 suspension early Boxter has 17" alloys fitted, with 255/40 17 tyres on the rear and 205 on the front. All tyres are now within 3-4 mm of wear limit, so I need to change them soon. However I have seen that the alloys that come with later Boxters 2002 models are the "star fish" pattern and 16", but with 225/50 on the rear vs my 255/40.

Question : will they (the new type 16") fit my Boxster correctly - i.e correct offset etc ? Will the handling be affected greatly moving to smaller width ? The reason I wanted to do this is that (a) 16" with large aspect ratio should give better ride (especially around London speed humped back roads, which my M030 suspension do not like!) (b) keep the original wheels (which are in need of refurb) as track day tyres as they are "worn in", (c) pick up new style "star fish" alloys with tyres for the price of new tyres.

What do you think ?

Thanks
[8|]

 

[Mark_Bennett]

If it is a 986 Boxster (2.5 or 2.7) then 16" wheels will fit - they are the standard fitment.

If you have an "S" (986 3.2 Boxster) then 17's are the smallest (and the standard fitment). The reason the S needs a minimum of 17" wheels is that it uses the 996 brakes, and needs the extra diameter for clearance of the brake calipers.

All the above is assuming standard Porsche wheels (not sure what you mean by "starfish"?)

987's come with 17" as standard, and I'm not sure if anything has changed to prevent 16" being fitted, but I would err on the side of caution and assume it's best not to...

 

[Tool Pants]

Unless my memory is failing me, I think the only 986 16" Porsche used looks like this.

 

[Guest]

I bought a set of 16" Boxster wheels & tyres for my 2000 2.7 to replace my 17" wheels for the winter intending to change them back for the summer. In normal driving I noticed hardly any difference at all to the 17"'s so left them on for the summer - £200 for 4 wheels and almost brand new tyres - cheap rubber!!