I am a newbie and getting familar with my new 2005 Boxster. While I don't plan to use the car during the winter, may consider buying a set of winter tires as a contingency.
I found the attached and wondering whether 981's 235 45 18 (front) and 265 45 18 (rear) will fit my 987, as the "recommendation" (which I take with some grain of salt) calls for 235 40 18 / 255 40 18, respectively.
Thank you for your advice in advance and looking forward to interacting with the members!!
Probably need to go with 40's. I saw someone just mention having issues with rubbing using 981 winter tire sizes (45's) on a 987 (or maybe 986). Both 986 and 987 have same wheel/tire size specs, where 981 runs a larger diameter tire.
Welcome to P9! Skip the 45s. I thought of doing the same many times, and revisited this idea -- particularly as 45s are more common. However, you really need the 40s for our 987s.
Winter tires are great and used ones can be found...just keep your eyes peeled. Heck, I just sold a spare set of four about a month ago.
Winter tires don't even get any better if you can find also find a rare 987 hardtop to pair them with. (Okay, I'm biased as I own one and am also selling a brand new one.) But my love for the unobtainium hardtop and winter tires is real and well founded; our 987s are amazing to drive in the winter - snow or no snow (dry days).
You read my mind and I just got one with a hard top - one of the main reasons (aside from one owner, 75K) I got the car. Thanks!!
First Porsche 2005 Boxster 2.7 and NOT Honda S2000
Been looking for Honda S2000 but suddenly ended up with a 987 (couldn't pass up an one owner, 75K miles, hard top, 19 inch wheels, FL car) :-) Initially, intimidated by the "Porsche" name (especially the maintenance / repair costs) but watched a friend DIY (986 / 987.1) and became more...
www.planet-9.com
Congrats on the hardtop score,
@hoster
!!! Seriously - they're amazing. Now, please -- GO FIND winter tires. Now is the best time to find them affordably. You can't NOT drive the car during the winter now. If you really want to protect the car, just be sure to hose the car down AFTER a long snowy trip and you should be just fine. I generally drive around on dry days between Thanksgiving and Easter here in New England -- without any worries or thoughts about salt, etc. But I'll also use it for weekend ski getaways and the like too up in NH with friends. Just go drive the hell out of the car and enjoy the hardtop. What color? Also, where are you driving it?
Arctic silver...and posted my intro
here
(and attaching a pic for you)
I am in NJ and been up there a few times (mostly to Killington / Stowe area for skiing) but we will definitely use our Subaru Outback for skiing (since we also have ski racks).
On a separate note, since I am not planning to go tracking / auto-crossing,I may just settle with a set of all season tires (I know, I know ;-) ). I don't think I will (or be able to) push the car hard enough to be on the edge of (probably a set of conti AS tires) where I would say "oh, I wish I had summer tires for more grip." Will see....
In 2015 I did buy a Porsche winter tire/wheel package that was on a 2014 Cayman for 3k or so miles. They were such a good deal, I took a chance on them. I have run them (gently) on nice winter days ever since, but not more than 2k miles. I tested clearance initially and could fit a business card into the tightest space, which is the underside edge of the front shock towers, with about a half inch or so of the tire under that lip and the rest completely clear. when I had the car on a lift for servicing last month, we noticed that there is in fact some very light rubbing on that under side of lip. Not enough to have been steadily in contact, but possibly with heat of high speeds, or some other reason, it gets to just touch. I have never noticed anything related to rubbing in actual driving, but if they were newer I might have a tire shop shave a little off the tread. Here in Northeast, the extra sidewall height is noticeable on winter roads, and with hardtop on, it is a very smooth winter ride versus the summer MPS4S's in summer. As noted the wheels are identical specs for 981 and 987.
This car is never on the road when there is snow or residual salt. If used in snow you might need additional clearance. I have then for the low temperature specs versus the MPS4S lower limit of 40.
A great point...and I think "our Northeast" (NJ), we don't get as much snow as MA
Plus I highly doubt I will ever take the car out on snow / salt, as we have two other AWDs. Before deciding on the 987, I did also consider 2005 Subaru WRX STi but a bit too high for my budget. My wife looked perplexed when I said "oh honey, since these Hondas and Subarus are too expensive, I decided to buy a Porsche"
I will never sell it. Yeah it’s old compared to my other cars but I still love it and I can still scare some people with a nice pull, even with a stock turbo at stage 2 tune. Lots of fun.
