Like the title says ! for those who have done it:

1. Ride quality effects? I would expect better handling, stiffer ride.
2. Rubbing issues?
3. Recommended tire size?
4. Recommended tire size if staggered.

Thanks all in advance !

 

When I asked a factory mechanic about 19's for my 02 S - he simply said don't do it.

Tire sizes are limited, and their is a huge price penalty for 19 vs 18.

He also noted that the ride quality suffers.

He recommended lowering the car.

 

mine rides well on 19's. no noticeable difference from the 18's.

 

Handling, especially at speed, will be diminished. Ride quality too. Choices in tires will be far less and more expensive. The car was designed originally for 16's. I have found 18's might be the best all-around wheel/tire for the car but a lot still mount 17's. All this is for road driving. Racing is completely different - never would consider 19's.

 

..Just curious..?? Lets say you have an..18" wheel with a 3 inch sidewall...?? and a 19 " wheel with 3 ".. side wall..?? as far as pulling out and high end range..?? what is the difference as far as TURNING and RIDE quality..?? any TIRE GURUS round heeyah..??

 

Why wouldnt you do 19s?!?! I never got that logic of people saying it cant be done etc etc. I had staggered 18s and just upgraded to 19s...19x8.5 front and 19x10 rear..both 52offset with a 10mm spacer in ther rear. Hankook tires...235 fronts and 265 rears. Drive to me wasnt much differnt than the 18s. Yes you're on a skinnier tire but it felt the same to me. Maybe only difference is heavier and raised my car up more in the front(but thats okay because my front kit will sit better once installed). My car 2000 Box S is also lowered on H&R race springs..no rubbing at all!

 

B - Nice ride man and thanks for pic (you sell the humps yet??)

To everyone else, the reasons for the 19" request is all the really nice AM Boxster wheels seam to be 19". YES I KNOW, its subjective and there are nice 18's (like the forgestar F14's), but I am seeing more killer 19's then 18's hence the ride question.

 

Ride quality of going from 18 - 19" wheels shouldn't be an issue for most of us. Aside from cost of tires and relatively limited sizes (btw, if you think 19" tires selection for Boxsters are hard to find, try looking up 18" tires for a BMW 135i for comparison).

YOu should not experience any rubbing (unless you get the wrong offset or go with tires that are too wide, or you literally slam your suspension setup). I went from 18" factory wheels to 19" Champions and the car runs great. You'll feel more bumps of the roads.... but not a big deal.