986 Boxster Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

  • Updated

 

For 1997-2004 986 Porsche Boxster, and Boxster S

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View all 986 Boxster Images

Vehicle Covered in this Guide
1997-2004 Porsche 986 Boxster & Boxster S chassis

Brake Clearance Information

In the engineering phase of wheel development we 3D scan factory brakes and review 2D aftermarket brake templates in order to optimize our barrel profiles and spoke curvatures. As a result, our wheels offer massive brake clearance so you can run the smallest possible wheel diameter.

Available Wheel Designs (click images to enlarge)

 

Forged Designs  Flow Formed Designs    

VS-5RS

VS5RS1810ET25_Brushed_2K_01-500.png

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EC-7RS

EC7RS1812ET46-5130-716_B_RSilver_2K_01.png

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SM-10RS

SM10RS1810ET25-5120-7256_Brushed_P3.png

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SM-10

18-sm10-5120-rs-profile3_6.png

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Bolt Pattern Center Bore Lug Seat Thread Pitch
5x130mm 71.6mm R14 Ball Seat M14x1.5mm

 

 

OEM+

Bolt-on fitments for street-driven cars

These bolt-on wheel fitments are ideal for enthusiasts enjoying their car day-to-day on the street, and they are typically paired with All-Season or performance oriented Summer tires. These wheel and tire configurations will improve the appearance and performance of the car without requiring modifications or adjustments to the factory alignment. Just bolt-on and enjoy!

 

Wheels

  • Front: 18x8.5” ET45  //  Rear: 18x9” ET46
    • Available in SM-10
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick : Front: 235/40-18  //  Rear: 265/35-18
    • Direct Fit
    • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer - Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
  • Alternative: Front: 225/40-18  //  Rear: 265/35-18
    • Factory 986 Boxster S tire sizes
    • Direct Fit
    • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)

 

 

Performance Street & Weekend Track Warrior

Dual-duty fitments that can be used on the street or race track

Whether you enjoy spirited street driving or you are a weekend track warrior chasing lap times, these wheel & tire configurations are ideal for enthusiasts looking for a more dramatic improvement in performance and they are typically paired with performance oriented summer tires or track oriented r-compounds. Some configurations may require negative camber and fender rolling to fit properly. See fitment notes under each tire configuration below to see if modifications are required.

If you plan to track your car, we highly recommended dialing in negative camber regardless of whether your wheel/tire fitment requires it for fender clearance. Negative camber is vital for extracting the most performance and longevity out of your tires, and without the proper amount the outer shoulders of your tires will wear out prematurely and running tire costs will dramatically increase.

 

Wheels

  • Front: 18x8.5” ET45  //  Rear: 18x9” ET46
    • Available in SM-10
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick : Front: 235/40-18  //  Rear: 265/35-18
    • Direct Fit
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer - Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
    • R-Compound: Toyo R888R (100TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW)
  • Alternative: Front: 225/40-18  //  Rear: 265/35-18
    • Factory 986 Boxster S tire sizes
    • Direct Fit
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
    • R-Compound: Toyo R888R (100TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW 

 

Wheels

  • Front & Rear: 18x8.5” ET45
    • Available in SM-10
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 235/40-18
    • Direct Fit
    • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100TW), Toyo R888R (100TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60 TW)
  • Alternative: Front & Rear: 245/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but negative camber is encouraged up front 
    • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (240TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180TW)

 

 

Hardcore Track & Race

Aggressive fitments for cars that see more miles on track than the street

These wheel and tire configurations are best suited for hardcore track junkies and club racers competing for a spot on the podium.  Everything from Extreme Summer tires to full Racing Slicks are commonly used depending on your experience behind the wheel, class rules, etc. Some configurations may require negative camber and fender rolling to fit properly. See fitment notes under each tire configuration below to see if modifications are required.

If you plan to track your car, we highly recommended dialing in negative camber regardless of whether your wheel/tire fitment requires it for fender clearance. Negative camber is vital for extracting the most performance and longevity out of your tires, and without the proper amount the outer shoulders of your tires will wear out prematurely and running tire costs will dramatically increase

 

Wheels

  • Front & Rear: 18x8.5” ET45
    • Available in SM-10
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 235/40-18
    • Direct Fit
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100TW), Toyo R888R (100TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
  • Alternative: Front & Rear: 245/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but negative camber is encouraged up front 
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (240TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180TW)
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Hankook Z214 C51 (40 TW)
  • Alternative: Front & Rear: 255/35-18
    • Negative camber with camber plates and fender rolling is required
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Yokohama AD08R (200TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW), Toyo Proxes R888R (100TW)
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Toyo Proxes RR (40TW)

 

Wheels

  • Front & Rear: 18x9" ET46
    • Available in SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, SM-10RS
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 255/35-18
    • Negative camber with camber plates and fender rolling is required
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Yokohama AD08R (200TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW), Toyo Proxes R888R (100TW)
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Toyo Proxes RR (40TW)
  • Alternative: Front & Rear: 245/35-18
    • Camber plates and fender rolling may be required
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (240TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180TW)
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW)

 

Wheels:

  • Front: 18x9” ET46  //  Rear: 18x10” ET36
    • Available in SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, SM-10RS

Tires:

  • APEX Staff Pick : Front: 245/35-18  //  Rear: 275/35-18
    • Camber plates and fender rolling may be required
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: No options currently available
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Hankook Z214 C51 (40TW)
  • Alternative: Front: 235/40-18  //  Rear: 275/35-18
    • Negative camber and fender rolling may be required
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100TW), Toyo R888R (100TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW)
    • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
  • Alternative: Front: 235/40-18  //  Rear: 265/35-18
    • Negative camber and fender rolling may be required
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook Ventus R-S4 (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Yokohama A052 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
    • R-Compound: Toyo R888R (100TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW)
    • Semi-Slick: No options currently available

 

Additional Resources

Brake Clearance Information

In the engineering phase of wheel development we 3D scan factory brakes and review 2D aftermarket brake templates in order to optimize our barrel profiles and spoke curvatures. As a result, our wheels offer massive brake clearance so you can run the smallest possible wheel diameter. The following brakes have been tested and confirmed to clear our wheels.

  • Brembo 1B1.8016A, 355mm 4-pot - fits all
  • Brembo 1M1.8002A, 355mm 6-pot - fits all
  • Brembo 1P1.8503A, 365mm 4-pot - fits all
  • StopTech 83.780.4700.61 355mm 4-pot - fits all
  • StopTech 83.788.6700.71 355mm 6-pot - fits all
  • AP Racing 13.01.10054 355mm 6-pot - fits all

Should I Dial in Negative Camber, and How Much is Right for me?

996.jpeg Whether you are a casual weekend track warrior that still enjoys your car on the street, or a hardcore racer competing for a spot on the podium, negative camber is a vital part of chassis setup that has many benefits. Not only will adding negative camber create more room for wider wheel and tire configurations, it more importantly improves handling, turn-in and tire longevity. Learn more in our blog article, The Positives of Negative Camber.

 

Still have questions?
Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form
Call us: 925-245-0773
Email us: support@apexraceparts.com