Porsche 996 Carrera & Carrera 4 Wheels

Porsche 996 Carrera Wheel Performance

The first of the water cooled 911’s, the 996 brought about a new era to Porsche. While the overall car was a big leap at the time from the 993, the wheel and tire setup on the 996 Carrera left a lot to be desired. Between our Flow Formed SM-10 and Forged EC-7RS and VS-5RS you will not only increase wheel width but reduce unsprung mass. This will have a tangible effect on the performance of your 996 Carrera. Be sure to read up on our Porsche 996 911 Wheel and Tire Fitment Guide to find your perfect fitment

A Brief History of the Porsche 996 911

As most Porsche enthusiasts know, the 996 generation was a radical departure from all 911 models before it. Not only was its liquid cooled heart controversial, but the questionable styling and similarities with the lesser Boxster model had Porsche fans somewhat outraged. Fast forward 20 years later and many now regard the 996 as one of the greats. It’s lightweight and simple construction makes it an excellent choice for the modern day Porsche bargain seeker.

Now some clarity on exactly what Porsche HQ was thinking when they unveiled this controversial hero. Just like its little brother the 986 Boxster, Porsche designed the 996 at a time when they were struggling to make a profit with their air cooled variants. Porsche was on a mission to both conform to the ever tightening sound and emission regulations while simultaneously lowering production costs and increasing efficiencies. By utilizing a shared architecture with the 986 Boxster, the 996 model drastically lowered production costs. The new watercooled engine design was able to meet strict emissions regulations, while delivering increased refinement and superior performance. A more sloped windshield helped aerodynamics and the questionable “fried egg” headlamps gave a nod to the 1997 GT1 race car. Looking back, the 996 was really the first modern Porsche and paved the way for its successors.

Offered in a variety of configurations, the 996 generation appealed to a wide audience. Both a tiptronic and manual option were available on the base model along with 2 and 4 wheel drive in the C2 and C4 respectively. In the 2000 model year, the AWD Porsche Turbo was introduced, with an at the time very impressive 414hp. Track ready versions like the famous GT3 were offered to appeal to the hard core enthusiast with a larger budget. The GT cars of this era still command a serious price due to their stellar performance and song-like exhaust note.

What Makes it a Good Track Car

Many describe the 996 driving dynamics as a perfect blend between the classic air cooled models and the overcomplicated and heavier modern generations. No matter what 996 model you choose, it will provide a balanced and rewarding drive that’s like nothing else on the road. The rear engine layout provides effortless rear end grip when adding throttle mid corner. Get your braking done early, hit the apex and then simply floor it and grin as you rocket out of the corner.

The 996 generation is plagued by a few major engine issues including the infamous IMS bearing and bore scoring issues. A simple upgraded IMS retrofit should fix half of the issues, but the bore scoring can be a bit trickier to prevent. As long as you factor in some potentially high maintenance bills, the 996 generation is one awesome track weapon. When it comes to outfitting your vehicle with some strong and lightweight 996 Carrera wheels, Apex has got you covered!

Not just the RWD models make good track cars, checkout the video below to see an old track test of the 996 Carrera 4 in a retro Men and Motors episode:

2001 Porsche Carrera 4 - Race Track Test