981 20" to 18"

[TheOctaneAddict]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone has any experiences of downsizing the wheels on their 981.

My Cayman currently has the 20" Carrera S wheels which look look great but the car does have a hard edge to the ride.

I'm thinking of giving some 18s a try to see if the increase sidewall helps remove that hard edge.

Any thoughts welcome.

Thanks

[981Boxess]

I have both 20" and 18" wheels for my 981 Boxster S.

20" marginally better drive on a smooth track like road surfaces, so not great in the UK - but look nicer.

18" better ride, slightly less tyre noise, very little downside on UK roads - maybe not as nice looking.

[Lodelaner]

I have 20's with PASM and a set of 18" winters. The ride is fine on both, a bit directionally a little squidgy on winters but that's down to tread rather than the sidewall. I think that PASM irons out the differences.

[ATM]

TheOctaneAddict said:

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone has any experiences of downsizing the wheels on their 981.

My Cayman currently has the 20" Carrera S wheels which look look great but the car does have a hard edge to the ride.

I'm thinking of giving some 18s a try to see if the increase sidewall helps remove that hard edge.

Any thoughts welcome.

Thanks

Me
Me
Me

Hopefully these pics show you what I have.







I have been running the car like this now for several months and it drives lovely. Glides over speed bumps at crazy speeds like they are just not there. Attacks rubbish road surfaces with ease. Standard passive dampers. Mine is the S with larger brakes.



I have even done a test fit with a 17 inch wheel from a 987. Let me know if you have any questions.

[TheOctaneAddict]

Thanks for the replies.

I sourced a brand new set from a 718 over the weekend and got them fitted.



The car drives much better and that primary harshness has gone!

TPMS doesn't work due to them being 718 wheels, but ill just stick the 20s on come MOT time.

[981Boxess]

TheOctaneAddict said:

TPMS doesn't work due to them being 718 wheels, but ill just stick the 20s on come MOT time.

I also fitted 718 wheels and had the same problem, resolved by a set of 981 aftermarket sensors, around £130.

[ATM]

TheOctaneAddict said:

The car drives much better and that primary harshness has gone!

I hated the 20 inch setup. Car felt awful. I've never looked back.

It's all about tyre walls for me now. Look at the load rating on your rear tyres and you will get an idea about how stiff they are. Load rating will also add weight. So those 265 rears will be stiff and heavy. Just think about how a lighter wheel will demand so much less from your suspension as it bounces up and down over the road. And the softer tyre wall will soak up bumps and bangs.

Right now you will be loving it. As those tyres wear out think about mixing it up a bit more maybe.

[981Boxess]

ATM said:

I hated the 20 inch setup. Car felt awful.

Mine didn't - I did a couple of eurohoons clocking up plenty of miles on decent roads on 20", drove brilliantly.

But alas when I returned to the third world the 18" were and still are the better choice.