Winter wheels and tyres for 718?

[legin]

The 18" will be a better set up than 19" for your use the only thing not as good will be the looks. Given this is just for winter use I would get the 18,s

 

[Wollemi]

I'm wondering if anyone can share their experience of winter wheels and tyres on a 718?

We are thinking of driving to the Alps early next year to avoid flying and winter tyres are compulsory, as well as being a very sensible idea.

The Porsche site offers two options for a GTS 4.0 - 18" wheels which can take snow chains on the rear, or 19" which will not take chains. I've never seen cars having to use chains in the place where we are heading (Pertisau in Austria) so I'm not too worried about the chains option, but maybe I need to be?

Why choose one size over the other? the 18"s are ?rd the price of the 19"s. I guess handling will be better on the 19" with 40 profile tyres rather than 45 on the 18".

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[ralphmusic]

Might be worth looking first at what tyres get the best reviews for your expected conditions before wheel size.

 

[Wollemi]

Might be worth looking first at what tyres get the best reviews for your expected conditions before wheel size.

That’s a good point but the official offer from Porsche is for wheels and tyres; I imagine there’s no way of knowing which tyres come with which wheels?

 

[ralphmusic]

Have you seen this tequipment accessories list?

https://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/tequipment/

I did think that you might be buying a set from a company other than Porsche where the tyre would be specified, unlike the Porsche link above. Porsche used to publish a list of approved tyres but no more. I would have thought your OPC should know what they agree to supply.

Another source is eBay where those who buy winter sets and sell their cars need to sell lightly used sets.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Might be worth looking first at what tyres get the best reviews for your expected conditions before wheel size.

That’s a good point but the official offer from Porsche is for wheels and tyres; I imagine there’s no way of knowing which tyres come with which wheels?

Graham,

I have discovered the same result when requesting a winter wheel/tyre set for my Macan Turbo. My OPC emailed Porsche Germany on the topic of tyre brand supplied with a wheel set and was told the current default is Pirelli. I understand it can be a lottery as which Porsche approved tyre brand is supplied with the winter wheel set.

I prefer Michelin tyres, and after contacting the Michelin website help line, I was given the spec for Michelin Alpin 5 N0 winter tyres as approved by Porsche for my car. The OPC Parts manager has forwarded the details I received from Michelin to Porsche Germany T-equipment department for their consideration.

I am currently awaiting a response. I'll not build up my hopes.......

BTW, I have previous experience with Pirelli Sottozero N - rated winter tyres on a 987 Cayman and they were excellent. Tyre technology has moved forward since then, and I am keen to try the Michelin Alpin 5 N0 as I like the look of the tread pattern.

Brian

 

[JonnyW]

Can anyone advise if it's possible to fit 19" or even 18" wheels on a 718 GT4 with PCCB brakes?

This for fitting of best choice of winter tyres

 

[COD981]

Can anyone advise if it's possible to fit 19" or even 18" wheels on a 718 GT4 with PCCB brakes?

This for fitting of best choice of winter tyres

No you need 20's as for tyres I have used Goodyear in the past but currently have a couple of sets of pirelli sottozero on Bmw's which are very good but not sure if they do the right size for the gt4

 

[JonnyW]

OK thanks, I thought that would be the case

 

[Scrounger]

I've got a set of 18 winters and having used them on my base cayman I found them pretty good. They are fitted with the Pirellis and even though they do feel a bit squishy when the temps rise above 5/6 degrees, they grip quite well in lower temps especially early doors. I've yet to put them on the GTS but I imagine the fit will be quite tight. I'm not a big fan of the alloy wheel design and not one I would like to have all year round but it is a case of function over form and they are considerably cheaper than the 19s. As mentioned, if you have PCCBs you will need a set of 20s.

As Ralph mentioned, you may be able to pick a set up on eBay and swap they tyres over if Pirellis aren't your thing.

There is currently a set on eBay for £625 and if I were you Graham, I'd snap them up asap as there are 13 watchers and they are bound to go when the temps start to drop.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354288149942?hash=item527d3825b6:gzYAAOSwJi9jKGvO&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsIzgxYxUrhvycXh%2FX8uNepMucHLGcRP5hixJR0x8TbwPKRbvbVRPdOZsDSYeqvw6XedIq%2FekbV0%2FCYVjQzYdWszHeSRo5pcYWRhhK%2Bsgs7bJHO%2BoVIKYVmlISrtDcR3NDtrCxOoV%2BN6o4i9viP87P4MLwnZPqtrVlRxyTV9kAoMeCj1RdkgWUZjqBff2ZZ4IAxPtda3vpjYALd44ATYIrnbJ9VvWpicYUMM4kOpzlFTq%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4rAru2RYQ

Dan

 

[Wollemi]

Can anyone advise if it's possible to fit 19" or even 18" wheels on a 718 GT4 with PCCB brakes?

This for fitting of best choice of winter tyres

Johnny, according to the vehicle handbook and the Tequipment web site only 20" wheels and tyres will fit the GT4.

Dan, you can fit either 18" or 19" winter wheels to the GTS4.0 even with PCCBs. I ended up choosing the 19" option to retain more sharpness and precision than the 18s, as it's unlikely I will ever need snow chains, which can only be fitted to 18"s.

Picture of my first GTS4.0 wearing it's winter boots

 

[Wollemi]

Current car with the same winter wheels and tyres.

 

[Scrounger]

Good to see it getting used in the Autumn months Graham. I've yet to put my winters on as the temps are still a little too warm imo only very occasionally dropping below 6 degrees when I go to work at 0400. Saying that, I've been using my son's Picanto as it's a little quieter on a cold start

Dan