Winter wheel choices?

[Peter_Bull]

Last winter when I had my 996 C2 it was useless in the snow. Anything over half a cm and it just slid all over the road. It was quite dangerous and to be honest very frightening too. That said a previous 3.2 was just as bad!

I have read quite a lot about the winter tyres on the forums and they appear to the answer to what I need to be able to get about safely in moderate snow and slush as I use my 997 every day as it was designed to be! [][]

I am thinking about the latest OPC offer. I currently have 19" wheels with TPM.

I am not sure whether to go for the 18" or the 19" with or without TPM. The technicians at the OPC say that the 18" will fit Ok with my PCCB discs.

I just wondered what other thoughts that you guys might have.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bobfair]

I have driven lots of 911's (both 2 and 4 wheel drive)on snow and ice at Camp 4, 4S etc and they have brilliant traction provided you have winter tyres. I dont think the size of the wheel impacts the grip very much. If you fit wheels without TPM you will get a warning light on your dash but your OPC can switch this off for you. If you do this you will have to have it switched back on again when you refit summer tyres

 

[garyw]

I bow to the OPC knowledge but my understanding was that with ceramics the 19 wheels were required. Theres a set of wheels for sale in the members for sale section that may do the winter wheel job.
We put winter tyres on my wife's golf and it's pretty unstoppable leaving the 911 for the less of the worse days.

garyw

 

[minny]

Winter tyres allowed me to go up 30 degree slopes covered with snow and ice last year. The 996 became my daily car because it was shod with tyres appropriate for the season. Some argue it is a costly exercise but the way I saw it - tyre wear was spread over 2 sets of tyres, the rears lost 1mm of tread in 1k miles from October to February and the cost divided over 4 years was acceptable. If the car had skidded and hit a kerb, insurance excess and lost of no claims bonus would probably have cost more, that is if the family or I weren't hurt. On ungritted icy roads, the car can still skid but it is much easier to control.
The 19s may be easier to sell on later.

 

[maxtraeger]

My past European driving experiences dictates winter tyres from end November right through to March. The smaller the tyre width the better for driving in the snow but it will make all the difference and restore driving confidence with steering and breaking precision.

I would go for what the OPC recommends but my own preference would be for some steel rim rather than using Porsche rims as you may still end up hitting something despite your best intentions. That way you can leave the winter tyres on the steel rim for the upcoming 4+ years use of the winter tyres and the switch over is painless as long as you tyre place can store the winter tyres since you cannot really take them home in the Porsche.

Max

 

[Peter_Bull]

Thanks for he replies gents.

I have just had a look the 19" wheels the local OPC and I think I will go for those with TPM.

I would like them in black if possible so I am waiting for a final cost (with black wheel centers too ) from them on Monday. It ma well prove a tad too much!!

 

[CSBAXTER]

I too am looking at a second set of wheels for winter. I currently have 19" wheels on, can I do a straight swap to 18s? Theres a set available at a good price but i;m not sure about changing the wheel size. Speedo, suspension etc.. Anyone done this?

 

[Peter_Bull]

Yes you can - just make sure you haved the right offsets.

I was offered both sizes by my OPC (currently it has 19") and I have chosen to go ahead with the same size. Should be fitted in the next few weeks too. []

Apparantly I had the last set of 19" with TPM available anywhere!

 

[CSBAXTER]

Another set of 19s has just popped up with the Carrera Classic shape which I prefer but the rears are 295s and my summer tyres are 305s. Why are they 10mm less and will they go on ok, does anyone know?