[AK718S]

My 718S is my daily driver. It's equipped with black 20" Carrera S wheels and Pirelli P-Zero summer tyres. When the temps approach freezing point the rubber really stiffens up and has very poor traction if the road surface is wet, icy or snowy. Last winter I had to avoid taking it out on days when there was snow or cold/wet conditions.

This year, at the start of the winter season, I bought a set of barely used 981 Cayman/Boxster 18" OEM wheels (part number 981.362.120) on ebay with 235/45 R18 (front) and 265/45 R18 (rear) Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tyres. There was 6mm of tread left all round. The wheels were in excellent shape.

I had the wheels powder coated in gloss black. Going black was to match the colour scheme of the car and I think smaller wheel size is far less noticeable when it is black and blends with the tyre. Only unexpected issue was when the rear tyres were remounted, the sidewalls blistered - probably due to the age of tyres and wider rear wheels. To replace them, I bought a pair of brand new Hankook Winter i*Cept Evo3 W330 265/45 R18. I opted not to replace the incompatible TPMS on the 4 wheels and put up with the dashboard idiot light instead (due to the cost and the hassle of taking the tyres off and refitting them).

The total cost was £1,140 (£600 for the wheel set, £320 for the new rear tyres and £220 for powder-coating and fitting).

I am very happy with the results. It grips like crazy in freezing and snowy conditions that we have had over the last week in the UK, the black 18" wheels don't look out of place and there is the added bonus of a comfier ride during the winter months. I plan to switch back to the summer set during the first warm weekend in April.

 

[marco_polo]

If you wanted to get the TPMS working, here's a link for a set of sensibly priced sensors. Tried and tested by members on the forum, but not by me personally.

TPMS Tyre Pressure Sensors for Porsche Boxster (718) (16-22) - SET OF 4 - CODED | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for TPMS Tyre Pressure Sensors for Porsche Boxster (718) (16-22) - SET OF 4 - CODED at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[AK718S]

If you wanted to get the TPMS working, here's a link for a set of sensibly priced sensors. Tried and tested by members on the forum, but not by me personally.

TPMS Tyre Pressure Sensors for Porsche Boxster (718) (16-22) - SET OF 4 - CODED | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for TPMS Tyre Pressure Sensors for Porsche Boxster (718) (16-22) - SET OF 4 - CODED at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thank you

 

[Octupe]

I think 18s usually look a bit wrong, but with them painted black it definitely helps the look, if you're going to run them, to my eye

 

[InigoMontoya]

My 718S is my daily driver. It's equipped with black 20" Carrera S wheels and Pirelli P-Zero summer tyres. When the temps approach freezing point the rubber really stiffens up and has very poor traction if the road surface is wet, icy or snowy. Last winter I had to avoid taking it out on days when there was snow or cold/wet conditions.

This year, at the start of the winter season, I bought a set of barely used 981 Cayman/Boxster 18" OEM wheels (part number 981.362.120) on ebay with 235/45 R18 (front) and 265/45 R18 (rear) Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tyres. There was 6mm of tread left all round. The wheels were in excellent shape.

I had the wheels powder coated in gloss black. Going black was to match the colour scheme of the car and I think smaller wheel size is far less noticeable when it is black and blends with the tyre. Only unexpected issue was when the rear tyres were remounted, the sidewalls blistered - probably due to the age of tyres and wider rear wheels. To replace them, I bought a pair of brand new Hankook Winter i*Cept Evo3 W330 265/45 R18. I opted not to replace the incompatible TPMS on the 4 wheels and put up with the dashboard idiot light instead (due to the cost and the hassle of taking the tyres off and refitting them).

The total cost was £1,140 (£600 for the wheel set, £320 for the new rear tyres and £220 for powder-coating and fitting).

I am very happy with the results. It grips like crazy in freezing and snowy conditions that we have had over the last week in the UK, the black 18" wheels don't look out of place and there is the added bonus of a comfier ride during the winter months. I plan to switch back to the summer set during the first warm weekend in April.

View attachment 53846


View attachment 53847

I would never drive my car in the winter but I admire those of you that do! I watched the ForeverManual video of him driving in the snow and it was very cool. 👏

As to the look of the 18s looking wrong, I disagree especially if you love the classic sportscars and racing. The Cayman is looks modern but those fenders and lines harken back to the classic sportscars and racecars that have sidewalls. I think the sidewalls on the 18s give it a classic sportscar look like the 70s sportscars. Also coming from a racing background, the having sidewall also "speaks" to me as more about "go than show" There is not right or wrong on personal tastes, just saying that when I see people with 18s, they look cool to me and I respect them for doing it because they really are a better way to go on sportscars and for winter, the best option for sure.

 

[JazzCatGab]

I like my 18s because of some of the rural roads I run around on, but I don't think they look any more gappy than other tires.

 

[InigoMontoya]

I think they look like a proper sportscar tire should. I love how they look.. I think the Dubs craze has created wheel size portion distortion but to functional guys they have a beauty of their own and they say something about the person with them...something like function takes priority. It also makes the brakes look more harmonious with the size of the car as well. I wish my Cayman T came with a Titanium Grey version of those wheels instead of the 20s. I already picked up a set of Titanium Grey centercaps from the classifieds and I hope one day to find a good deal on a set of these wheels that need some refurbishing and paint them Titanium Grey to go with my T.

 

[Jarroviansh]

I haven't even got my car yet, (which comes with Black 20" wheels), but I popped up to Aberdeen a month ago to buy a set of Silver 19" wheels with winter tyres for next winter, so the car will change with the seasons.
From my perspective winters are a must on rear wheel drive cars in the UK, and we don't even have BAD winters like others on this forum.

 

[~el~jefe~]

I think 18s usually look a bit wrong, but with them painted black it definitely helps the look, if you're going to run them, to my eye

that is an excellent point. i was wondering why these 18's looked so good. It is the gloss or semi gloss black with them. Shined up the sidewalls as well. Looks very good on the shark blue too.

 

[Moonshine]

This was my 718s on 18" winter wheels painted satin black.
Looks OK to me 👍

 

[Octupe]

I had only really seen 18's in silver before, but in black its been a bit of a revelation to me, now I'm starting to seriously think of getting some