Fitment guide

Porsche 911 996 C4S & Turbo Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Originally published | 04/11/2018
Updated | 02/23/2024

The first widebody of the water cooled 911s, the 2002-2005 996 Carrera 4S and Turbo models have been some of the more popular options of the 996 generation. If you want to improve the performance of your widebody 996 or just change up the aesthetic we have you covered here in this Porsche 911 996 C4S & Turbo Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide. We have a number of options to unlock the full potential of your new Porsche with options like our Flow Formed SM-10 as well as Forged options in the EC-7RS, VS-5RS, and SM-10RS.

12" Rear Wheel Clearance Information

12" rear wheels come standard on the 996 GT2 and are a popular upgrade for 996 Turbo owners due to their ability to support the sidewalls of wide 305, 315 & 335 tire compounds. With that said, these wide wheel & tire configurations will take up all of the available real estate under the rear fender wells, so aftermarket turbo/intake setups may cause interference. GT2 rear fender liner brackets may be needed for extra inner clearance depending on tire model and size.

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

Bolt Pattern

5x130

Center Bore

71.6mm

Lug Seat

R14 Ball Seat

Thread Pitch

M14x1.5mm

OEM+ Wheel Fitment

Easy upgrades for street-driven cars

These bolt-on wheel fitments are ideal for 996 C4S or Turbo owner 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 Wheel Size: 18x8.5” ET45
  • Rear Wheel Size: 18x11” ET60
    • Available in: SM-10
    • Popular fitment
    • 20mm rear spacers required for proper wheel fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: 
    • Front Tire Size: 235/40-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 295/30-18
    • Direct Fit
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (220 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect 240 (240 TW)
  • Alternative:
    • Front Tire Size: 225/40-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 295/30-18
    • Factory C4S, Turbo and Turbo S tire sizes
    • Direct Fit
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (220 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect 240 (240 TW)

Performance Street and Track Wheel Fitment

Wider fitments for enhanced performance

  • Yellow Porsche 911 - VS-5RS in Satin Black
  • Grey Porsche 911 - VS-5RS in Brushed Clear
  • Black Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Anthracite
  • Grey Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Anthracite
  • Blue Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Race Silver

Whether you enjoy your Carrera 4S or Turbo with spirited street driving or you are a weekend track warrior chasing lap times, these wheel & tire configurations improve the appearance and performance of the car without requiring a bunch of modifications. In the rear, you have your choice of 11" or 12" wheel widths depending on how much power the car has and what rear tire size you want to support.

Wheels

  • Front Wheel Size: 18x9” ET46
  • Rear Wheel Size: 18x11” ET60
    • Available in: SM-10 and EC-7RS
    • 20mm rear spacers required for proper wheel fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: 
    • Front Tire Size: 235/40-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 295/30-18
    • Direct Fit
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (220 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect 240 (240 TW)
    • R-Compound: Toyo R888R (100 TW), & Pirelli Trofeo R (60 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
  • Alternative 1:
    • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 305/30-18
    • A minimum of -2º of front camber is recommended
    • Max Performance Summer: No available options 
    • Extreme Performance Summer: No options currently available
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
  • Alternative 2:
    • Front Tire Size: 235/40-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 315/30-18
    • Factory GT2 tire sizes
    • Direct Fit
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (220 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW) or Falken RT615K+ (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
  • Alternative 3:
    • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 315/30-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber
    • Max Performance Summer: No options currently available
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Falken RT615K+ (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)

Wheels

  • Front Wheel Size: 18x9” ET46
  • Rear Wheel Size: 18x12” ET45 or ET46
    • Available in: SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, SM-10RS
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick:
    • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 315/30-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber from the front strut top mount
    • Rear fender rolling & GT2 fender liner brackets may be required
    • Max Performance Summer: No options currently available
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)

  • Alternative 1:
    • Front Tire Size: 235/40-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 315/30-18
    • Factory GT2 tire sizes
    • Typically a direct fit in front
    • Rear fender rolling & GT2 fender liner brackets may be required
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (220 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
  • Alternative 2:
    • Front Tire Size: 255/35-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 315/30-18
    • A minimum of -2º front camber is recommended with camber plates
    • Rear fender rolling & GT2 fender liner brackets may be required
    • Max Performance Summer: No options currently available
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)

Hardcore Track Wheel Fitment

Track focused fitments that require significant modifications

  • Silver Porsche 911 - VS-5RS in Anthracite
  • Black Porsche 911 - VS-5RS in Brushed Clear
  • White Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Anthracite
  • Black Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Race Silver
  • Silver Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Anthracite
  • Silver Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Satin Black
  • 1 / 2

These fitments are best suited for weekend track warriors and competitive club racers looking to maximize grip and overall performance on their C4S or Turbos. These generally require modification or fender rolling to get the fitment dialed in.

Wheels

  • Front Wheel Size: 18x9” ET46
  • Rear Wheel Size: 18x12” ET45 or ET46
    • Available in: SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, SM-10RS
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick:
    • Front Tire Size: 255/35-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 315/30-18
    • A minimum of -2º front camber is recommended with camber plates
    • Rear fender rolling & GT2 fender liner brackets may be required
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7/A7 (40 TW), Toyo RR (40 TW)
  • Alternative 1:
    • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 315/30-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber from front strut top mount
    • Rear fender rolling & GT2 fender liner brackets may be required
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7/A7 (40 TW), BFG R1S (40 TW)
  • Alternative 2:
    • Front Tire Size: 235/40-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 315/30-18
    • Factory GT2 tire sizes
    • Typically a direct fit up front
    • Rear fender rolling & GT2 fender liner brackets may be required
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
  • Alternative 3:
    • Front Tire Size: 245/645-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 305/645-18
    • A minimum of -3º of front & -2.2º rear camber is recommended
    • Rear fenders may need to be rolled
    • Racing Slicks: Pirelli DH
  • Alternative 4:
    • Front Tire Size: 245/645-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 305/660-18
    • A minimum of -3º of front & -2.2º rear camber is recommended
    • Rear fenders may need to be rolled
    • Racing Slicks: Pirelli DH
  • Alternative 5:
    • Front Tire Size: 265/645-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 325/660-18
    • A minimum of -3º of front & -2.2º rear camber is recommended
    • Rear fenders may need to be rolled
    • Racing Slicks: Pirelli DH

Wheels

  • Front Wheel Size: 18x10” ET36
  • Rear Wheel Size: 18x12” ET45 or ET46
    • Available in: SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS
    • Motorsport oriented suspension with a slim silhouette (short linear 2.25mm or 60mm springs) must be used for maximum inner clearance with camber plates
    • Front & rear fenders must be rolled
    • Radiator brackets must be trimmed and mounting holes slotted so it can be moved forward slightly. Then reshape fender liners.
    • Shorter GT2 rear fender liner brackets are ideal. Then reshape fender liners.

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: 
    • Front Tire Size: 275/35-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 335/30-18
    • A minimum of -3.8º front & -3º rear camber is recommended
    • Extreme Performance Summer: BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7/A7 (40 TW)
  • Alternative 1:
    • Front Tire Size: 265/35-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 315/30-18
    • A minimum of -3.8º front & -2.2º rear camber is recommended
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Toyo R888R (100 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: No options currently available 
  • Alternative 2:
    • Front Tire Size: 275/35-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 315/30-18
    • A minimum of -3.8º front & -2.2º rear camber is recommended
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Falken RT660 (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7/A7 (40 TW)
  • Alternative 3:
    • Front Tire Size: 265/645-18
    • Rear Tire Size: 325/660-18
    • A minimum of -3.5º front & -2.2º rear camber is recommended
    • Rear fenders may need to be rolled
    • Racing Slicks: Pirelli DH

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.

  • OEM 380mm 6-pot PCCB - fits all
  • Brembo 1M1.9006A1, 380mm 6-pot - fits 18x9" ET46 only
  • Brembo 1M1.9005A1, 355mm 6-pot - fits all
  • StopTech 83.780.4700.61 355mm 4-pot - fits all
  • StopTech 83.781.6900.XX, 380mm 6-pot - call to confirm

Still have questions?

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