Porsche 986 Boxster Wheels

Porsche 986 Boxster Wheel Performance

While being a wonderfully balanced chassis the OEM 986 Boxster wheels fail to deliver in width and weight. Our selection of Flow Formed SM-10 and Forged VS-5RS, EC-7RS, or SM-10RS will help to maximize the performance of your Boxster, by giving you not only a wider wheel but a lighter one as well.

Be sure to check out our 986 Porsche Boxster Wheel and Tire Fitment Guide to find the perfect setup for your mid engined roadster.

A Brief History of the 1997-2004 Porsche Boxster

In the early 1990s, Porsche’s finances were in dire condition. After canceling their front engined range, including the 924, 944, and 968, Porsche was left with only the 993 Carrera model. Plagued by slow sales and a build process eroding margins, the company needed not only a new model in their range, but a more cost effective production strategy. Taking cues from Toyota, Porsche decided to implement cost saving functions like a “just in time” production technique as well as a shared vehicle platform across multiple models, intended to reduce development costs.

After receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback on the Boxster concept car at the 1993 North American International Auto show, Porsche forged ahead with the mid-engined 2 seat roadster. For the first time in Porsche history, a water cooled engine was placed ahead of the rear axle in a mid-engined configuration, with a transaxle and cable operated shifter. This same water cooled engine would eventually find its way into the 996 generation 911 Carrera, which was a tough pill to swallow for the die hard enthusiasts loyal to the company's air cooled past.

Porsche quickly began production of the finalized variant and first sold the 986 boxster for the 1997 model year. The vehicle was offered in both base and S model trim with engines ranging from 2.5l all the way up to the 3.2l found in the Boxster S model. With a mix of both automatic and manual gear boxes available, the Boxster appealed to the masses at a very attractive price point. By sharing a variety of parts with the 996 911, Porsche secured much stronger margins and the success of the Boxster allowed Porsche to continue operations with strong profits. While some may argue the 986 isn’t a true Porsche, there was no denying it’s extremely balanced handling and unique look.

Why it Makes a Good Track Car

The fact that there’s a spec class entirely dedicated to the 986 Boxster says it all. These cars handle like nothing else at this price point and for a Porsche, running costs are reasonable. While this generation isn’t without its reliability issues, with an upgraded IMS bearing, some oiling mods, a third radiator, and a good maintenance schedule, the 986 will make its owner quite happy on track.

While not a powerful car, the light weight mid engined design will teach its pilots the necessary skills for keeping momentum through the corners and allow even those with less experience to extract its full potential. Whether you’re just participating in the occasional track day or building a full blown race car to compete with NASA, the 986 won’t let you down. For any use case, we have some fantastic options to fulfill your needs for 986 Boxster wheels.

Don’t just take our word for it, check out why so many people consider the original Boxster to be one of the best values money can buy in the video below: The Original Porsche Boxster (986): 2022 Hagerty Bull Market List