Winter Tyres Idea

[whinbush]

Hi folks Im looking for a cost effective way of putting winter boots on mt 2009 GenII Boxster. She currently has 19" Carrera Sports. So a tad on the wide side for snow.
Anyone know or have any bright ideas what I can get to put on in their place without spending a fortune?

 

[Dylan1]

Your local opc may be doing offers- mine certainly is for wheel/ tyre combos

 

[London987]

too late for me as i got some cayman 2s with winter tyres not too long ago, but recently wondered if with vw's they seem to pop on audi and porsche wheels....whether it would work in reverse?

edit: mine all in where a little under 2k which i thought was ok

 

[whinbush]

Really looking for a sub £1000 solution

 

[whinbush]

Would these fit my car ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-BOXSTER-WHEELS-16INCH-STUNNING-CONDITION-/160606048581?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2564ddd145

As could be an answer

 

[Chrishazle]

Have a look in your handbook for exact specs of rims that fit - I've emailed that vendor asking him to add the relevant details to his listing. Rims look to be genuine Porsche (I can see numbers stamped either side of the valve, so he should be able to supply those - looks like 7J, ET may be 44 but can't read it clearly). There should also be a Porsche part number stamped on the inside of one of the spokes, and hopefully something like 5 x 130 - 5 bolts, 130mm bolt circle diammeter.
Also have a look at www.alloywheelsdirect.net, you'll find info there about what fits.

 

[Dylan1]

Have to say that any solution less than 1000 is really unlikely to be satisfactory IMHO

 

[whinbush]

I think I may have cracked it provided I can work out which wheels fit ?
My manual says smallest wheels that will fit are
Front 7J x 17 H2 55mm rim offset
Rear 8.5J x !7 H2 40mm Rim offset

Found these anyone know if the Rear at offset at 50mm will be ok ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-BOXSTER-17-FIVE-SPOKE-ALLOY-WHEELS-VW-CAMPER-/190582875441?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c5f9fe531

Dont care if they are scuffed as only for bad weather use
and Tyres are Kumho's whicj get a pretty good report at TyreTest
http://www.reifentest.com/cgi-bin/autotest.pl?104z128z109&&&EN
£300 for the rears
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=59444471.110.3597&typ=R-170243&ranzahl=4&Breite=235&Quer=50&Felge=17&Speed=V&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi
£220 for the fronts

So looks like £860 adding £10 a wheel at my local Tyre fitter inc nitrogen fill.

Or am I deluded with this solution?
Opinions please.

 

[Chris_911]

Given my experience around this time last year I would make sure you can get the tyres in your sizes before I commit to the wheels.

My experience was that I could not get winter tyres in the Boxster sizes, and ended up getting a wheel and tyre set from my OPC (which actually didn't cost that much more than I was looking at spending).

 

[flat6]

Just happened to get onto the subject of winter tyres whilst out on a test drive at an OPC at the weekend. The sales person asked if i'd heard of snow socks. I hadn't.

I've googled and found this to show you what I mean. I have no experience of these, nor have I done any research into whether other have found them effective. Just thought i'd mention them.

http://www.autosock.co.uk/

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_832101_categoryId_256254_langId_-1?cm_sp=Intelligent_Offer-_-Product_List_Zone_1-_-Blank&iozone=PLPz1

 

[Buddy]

Just looked up the links and the Autosock although being dearer seems really good, impressive range of sizes too, impressive video.

Also the max width on the Halfords version is 245[&o]

 

[whinbush]

Snow socks ??? not sure how much use you would get from them but they are interesting

 

[minny]

Socks get you out of trouble if you are stuck e.g in a carpark or going up hill but they are destroyed quickly the moment you venture on to a road not covered in snow. The good thing about them is that they are cheaper, lighter to carry, easier to store and fit than snow chains.
Winter tyres do help you go and more importantly stop better in wintery conditions with or without snow. I had Vredesteins on the turbo last year ( i know they are not N-rated but figured it was still safer than N-rated summer tyres in wintry conditions) and I used it every day in the 5 weeks of snow in Belfast. Somedays it was 9 inches outside but there were no hairy moments in that time. I had my winter tyres on from November to March and wear was negligible. They would probably last me 3-4 winters.

 

[flat6]

I think i'm going to invest in some snow socks. As you say, they're only for getting you out when stuck, which is what my main concern is on the road where I live.

 

[Chris_911]

Having invested in a set of winter wheels and tyres for my wife's Boxster last winter I have to say I was staggered at how much better they are in winter conditions. The grip was unbelievable and in danger of giving a little bit too much confidence in challenging conditions.

 

[London987]

good to hear....going to get mine put on at theend of the month.