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Buying winter tyres

M

maxim

New member
I've been chasing winter tyres after five days of snow up 'ere on t' Yorkshire Moors and have had various levels of patronising responses, a rough summary being "should have got them in the summer, mate". Thanks.

However the helpful and efficient Mark at the Leeds OPC JCT 600 got me a set of 18 inch Carrera IV wheels and Michael Pilot Alpins in just four hours today. Sadly I can't actually get through the snow to get them fitted but great service from him and JCT.

Avoided going onto winter tyres last year despite two "dig outs" so I'll be interested to see how they perform on my 997 Gen 2 PDK Carrera.

So worth trying an OPC if you're chasing winter boots.
 
ORIGINAL: maxim I've been chasing winter tyres after five days of snow up 'ere on t' Yorkshire Moors and have had various levels of patronising responses, a rough summary being "should have got them in the summer, mate". Thanks. However the helpful and efficient Mark at the Leeds OPC JCT 600 got me a set of 18 inch Carrera IV wheels and Michael Pilot Alpins in just four hours today. Sadly I can't actually get through the snow to get them fitted but great service from him and JCT. Avoided going onto winter tyres last year despite two "dig outs" so I'll be interested to see how they perform on my 997 Gen 2 PDK Carrera.
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I hope PCGB are getting commission for this advert
 
Yesterday I was emailed about someone having difficuly getting tyres for their 997, odd this appears today [;)] And nice first post...
 
I am loving my sottozeros in this weather. I was taking the kids to school this morning and went past a neighbour with an M6 which was making very heavy weather (no pun intended) of the conditions. She couldnt believe that my Porsche was better than her huge beast but I managed to put her daughter in the car and get the three kids to school without too much difficulty. I am truly amazed at the difference they make.
 
However the helpful and efficient Mark at the Leeds OPC JCT 600 got me a set of 18 inch Carrera IV wheels and Michael Pilot Alpins in just four hours today. Sadly I can't actually get through the snow to get them fitted but great service from him and JCT.
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If not too rude to ask, how much would a set as you describe set one back?
 
ORIGINAL: minny
However the helpful and efficient Mark at the Leeds OPC JCT 600 got me a set of 18 inch Carrera IV wheels and Michael Pilot Alpins in just four hours today. Sadly I can't actually get through the snow to get them fitted but great service from him and JCT.
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If not too rude to ask, how much would a set as you describe set one back?
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It (the price) was removed from the original post as it was verging on an advert for the OPC mentioned.
 
I've emailed the cost out to the member.. [;)] We've just had winter tyres fitted to the wife Golf and its made a massive difference... Luckily I can pick and choose whether to use my Porsche, so will leave the slippy tyres on it, like Marlin it was bad enough getting summer tyres.. [:(] I was reading elsewhere that quite a few European tyre suppliers can supply them(winter tyres) within a few days, however if the OPC can be on the money then I see no reason not to use them... You would think that Porsche cars would do an official marketing campaign to let owners know about the facility....[&:] its not as if its not going to make them any extra money....? garyw
 
ORIGINAL: Nick_USA It (the price) was removed from the original post as it was verging on an advert for the OPC mentioned.
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A smidgeon over 2 grand if the memory serves.
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Regards, Clive
 
Seems quite high - my OPC were offering winter tyres with alloys for around £2,700 total (maybe less than £2,500 after PCGB discount), and would be happy to store the summer wheels / tyres in the meamtime.... [:)] Sidicks
 
ORIGINAL: garyw Yesterday I was emailed about someone having difficuly getting tyres for their 997, odd this appears today [;)]
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It must be a Porsche initiative to all OPCs to flog some winter wheels. A few days ago I had an email from the 'Parts Manager' at my local OPC offering Winter Tyres and wheels for my Cayenne. The snow had been arround for acouple of days by then. Pity he never sent it a week earlier, but he could have saved the effort of sending an e mail if he had remembered that I bought a set from him last year.[8|]
 
My local OPC were on the ball as they sent their winter tyre email out mid September. As per my posting over on the Cayenne forum on this subject, I fitted winter tyres/wheels last weekend and what a massive difference. The main difference being able to use it with confidence in deep snow rather than leaving it parked-up. I'm pretty sure after last winter and the taste of winter over the past week, winter tyres are going to become more popular now in the UK.
 
absolutely! when we were at opc in germany last year i discovered it was very common practice for owners to order additional winter wheels and tyres when placing their orders.there were facilities to come in and change wheels ,usually end october and again in march and for them to store the spare pair meantime.they were very surprised when i told them this wasnt common practice over here!
 
One small thing to bear in mind. Unlike Europe where winter tyres are common place , most of the tyre fitters in the UK will not entertain fitting anything other than a new tyre. As a result , come time to change back to summer tyres you are left scratching around to find someone to fit them. My experience has been that on average its about 18-20 pounds a wheel to change over tyres. I know that quick fit are offering a winter tyre solution , whereby they store your summer tyres for you and change over when the weather improves. Not sure about any terms on this , you may have to pay for storage or buy the tyres from them. When you consider two tyre changes per year at 160 odd pounds outlay plus hassle and time , it doesn't take long before it makes sense to buy a spare set of used wheels , particularly if you can downgrade to a smaller size (ie 19" - 18") and save on tyre prices too. If you are an infrequent driver in the winter and want to safeguard against getting stranded on summer tyres, then I suggest you look at the snowsock option , these are fabric alternatives to snow chains which allow for small wheel to arch clearances and do not damage the alloys. They are not as effective as snow chains and can only be used on ice or full snow as they wear out on tarmac , but are handy in an emergency. Use google to find suppliers or look on e bay.
 
We paid £5 per tyre to have last years winter tyres refitted.. Much better with a second set of wheels but obviously has its disadvantages too.. garyw
 
Had the tyres fitted today, Michelin sport alpins. On the road it feels like an older 911 with a traditional "bob" at the front and, after 19 inch wheels, the new 18's make it feel like it's on stilts. A lot smoother, softer ride as expected but oddly quieter. Much more grip on wet motorways. On snow though the difference is astounding. It romps up snow covered hills, finds traction in corners, accelerates from standstill with virtually no wheelspin and bites hard under braking. It's like a completely different car from the one that slipped and struggled to the garage this morning. I am amazed. The other option was buying an old Subaru Legacy Outback for £6000 and then tax, mot and insurance so the combined wheels and tyres have worked out a lot cheaper...although it would have been cheaper still to get snow tyres fitted to the existing 19" wheels. I can't get used to how they look though. Not ugly, but the rubber looks 'fat', a bit like the tyres on a Ferrari Daytona. So, great grip, lurid and predictable tail slides in the snow, good braking plus it's like getting used to a new 911!
 
Yes, I rang and told them before they were fitted and they said there was no change in the premium.
 
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