Porsche 987 Boxster Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Are you looking for the best source of wheel and tire fitment information available for the 2005-2012 987 Porsche Boxster? Well, look no further than our 987 Boxster Wheel and Tire Fitment Guide. This guide applies to all 987 Boxster trims be it Base, S, or Spyder models. This guide will help you pick the fitment that best suits your needs from Performance Street oriented setups all the way to hardcore track fitments. Our Flow Formed SM-10 represents a great entry-level option that will decrease unsprung mass as well as provide better sidewall support for wider tires. The Forged VS-5RS, EC-7RS, and SM-10RS increase performance even further with less weight and added strength in key areas.

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.

These bolt-on wheel fitments are ideal for the 987 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 to the factory suspension or alignment. Just bolt-on and enjoy!

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x8.5" ET45
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x10" ET36
• • Available in SM-10
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/40-18
  • Direct Fit
  • A slightly shorter 275/35-18 can also be ran in the rear
  • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Sport 02 (340TW), Michelin PSS (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-S (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW)
• Alternative 1:
• • Front Tire Size: 235/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 265/40-18
  • Factory 987 Tire Sizes
  • Direct Fit
  • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW)

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 19x9" ET50
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x10" ET36 or ET40
• • Available in SM-10 & EC-7RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-19
  • Direct Fit
  • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
• Alternative 2:
• • Front Tire Size: 235/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 265/35-19
  • Factory 987 Cayman R tire sizes
  • Direct Fit
  • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)

These are our most popular 987 fitments perfect for drivers that want an increase in wheel and tire width over stock without the compromise of having to heavily modify the car. Some modifications may be needed depending on the tires and wheels run. These fitments offer a dual-duty option for those who want to use these wheels on the street and drive to the track for an HPDE. Summer and Extreme Performance tires are what we recommend for these wheel fitments.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET46
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x10" ET36
• • Available in SM-10, ML-10RT, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, SM-10RS, VS-5RE & SM-10RE
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/40-18
  • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
  • Shorter 275/35-18 rear tires can also be used
  • Max Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Sport 02 (340TW), Michelin PSS (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-S (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Nitto NT01 (100 TW)
• Alternative 1:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/35-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18
  • Front camber plates may be required
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-S (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 19x9" ET50
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x10" ET36 or ET40
• • Available in SM-10 & EC-7RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-19
  • Direct Fit
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
  • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
• Alternative 2:
• • Front Tire Size: 235/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 265/35-19
  • Factory 987 Cayman R tire sizes
  • Direct Fit
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW), Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)

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. Most notably, these fitments incorporate wider 9” front wheels which provide superior tire sidewall support over the more "generic" 8.5" front wheels typically found on a 987. These fitments prioritize performance over ease of installation. Some of the below options may be a direct fit but other require increased camber through camber plates to ensure fender clearance.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET46
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x10" ET36
• • Available in SM-10, ML-10RT, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, SM-10RS, VS-5RE & SM-10RE
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/40-18
  • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-S (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Nitto NT01 (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slicks: No options currently available
• Alternative 1:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18
  • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
  • Shorter rear rolling diameter
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-S (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200TW), Hankook RS4 (200TW)
  • R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100TW), Goodyear Supercar 3R (100TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW), Yokohama A055(40TW)
• Alternative 2:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/35-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18
  • Front camber plates may be required
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-S (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW), Toyo RR (40TW)
• Alternative 3:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/35-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18
  • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: No options currently available
  • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW), Hankook Z214 C51 (40 TW)
• Alternative 4:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/645-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 265/660-18
  • A minimum of -2.5º of front & -2º rear camber is recommended
  • Racing Slick: Pirelli DH
• Alternative 5:
• • Front Tire Size: 265/645-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 305/660-18
  • Front camber plates required
  • Front & Rear fender rolling is typically required
  • Racing Slick: Pirelli DH

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.

• Factory 4 piston 318mm - fits all
• Factory PCCB 6 piston 350mm - fits all
• Brembo 1M1.9004A 6 piston 380mm - fits 18x9" ET46 & 19x9" ET50 SM-10 wheels only
• Brembo 1M1.8002A 6 piston 355mm - fits all
• Brembo 1P1.8503A 4 piston 365mm - fits all
• Brembo 1B1.9016A 4 piston 355mm - fits all
• AP Racing 13.01.10054 CP9661 6 piston 355mm - fits all
• StopTech 83.788.6700.51 ST60 6 piston 355mm - fits all

Still have questions?

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