Winter Tires

HelloAll: I apologize in advance if this is a repetative question, but the search didn't help much, so here it is: I am looking for any experience with winter tires. I would like to find some which are good wearing, resonable performance (not the most important) and not too noisy. TIA Now in an '02 C4S

And while on the subject - anyone got any advice on some cheap wheels to mount those on? TIA Barry (P.S. Sorry to hi-jack your post there RRL but it sounds like we have similar needs)

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I started a similar thread on Renntech.org. My widebody ('04 C4S Cab) needs winter tires. It appears that tirerack.com (I have no affiliation) has a good package that will fit my car with the correct offset. The rims are Mille Miglia Cup 3, and I believe Dunlop makes very good snow tires in the correct size.

i have had good luck with the michelin pilot alpines on my o2 c4s.

For wheels look for some 17" Boxster and/or 996 wheels when someone up grades to 18's.

Check eBay for cheap wheels. I've even seen some with winter tires already mounted on them. I've got Dunlop Wintersport M3s mounted on another set of 17s for my Boxster. They were great last winter. Not sure I can give you an opinion on "dry" performance, but in the wet and snow they're wonderful. I also ordered mine from the Tire Rack.

I bought a set of used factory turbo look 17" wheels and new Dunlop Winter Sport M2 tires from Wheel Enhancements ( http://www.wheelenhancement.com/ ). Good price, they look fine for winter use and the Dunlops are great in the snow.

Dunlops M2 Winter Sports - Enough Said - They are great - I had them ever since they were available - I mounted them every year on every p-car that I ever own from a 993, 986, 996 -

The Dunlop WinterSport M2's are great tires, I drove my (former) 99 C2 cab all winter in Boston on them, including two blizzards, and never missed a beat. They are available in both 17 and 18" sizes. If anyone wants good winter rims, I have two sets ... one is a set of factory 993 Cup rims, 17", correct offset for a narrowbody 911. They are straight but need refinishing, or would make great winter rims. No tires. I will sell them very cheaply, especially if you pick them up in Boston. I also have a set of 18" factory Turbo twist rims, not the hollowspokes. These are also the correct 911 narrowbody offset. One rim is perfect, two have very minor scratches and nicks, and the fourth has some light curb rash and a good scrape on it. I will also sell these cheap (but not as cheap as the Cups; I'd like $900 for 'em. They have Contis on there now, although the rears are toast.) Vic 95 C4 cab

I'm selling my almost new Dunlop WinterSport M2 (2 months use). Cheap. They are at practically full thread (9/32") 225/40R18 265/35R18 Send a PM

Can someone help with a question about wheels and off-set etc? The C4S has the wide rear which I think means that you need the right wheels, although I think you might be able to use 'normal' wheels with spacers. Anyone an authority on that? Thanks! Barry

A friend of mone just sold his boxster. I know he has 17" wheels mounted with nearly new snow tires on them. He mentioned he would have them for sale the other day. If you have further interest you can email me.

On my C4S I put. Front - 225/40VR18 Pirelli Winter 240 SnowSport Rear - 265/35VR18 Pirelli Winter 240 SnowSport These went right on the OEM Rims, Rear rims stick out a 1/8 " but still look fine.

The factory recommended size for winter tires on 18" for Boxster, 996 Narrow body, 996 Wide body (includes GT2, Turbo, C4S) is: F: 225/40R18 R: 265/35R18 The only Porsche recommended tire is the Dunlop Winter Sport M2.

I bought a wheels and tires package from tirerack.com last year. They sold me the Mille Miglia Cup 3 wheels and Bridgestone LM-22 tires. The tires were very good in the snow. The whole package cost about $2000. Here's a link to the description of the tires and tirerack.com's custmer's comments: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Blizzak+LM-22

Last time I bought (and also what will be going back on 2 Pcars and an AMG in Dec) is either the M2s as mentioned, the Blizaks, or P210/240s.........those are all 3 good performance choices with-out a huge dif (IMHO)....but if I did choose, guess I'd go w/the Pirellis.....an excellent open tread yet still a decent handler on the dry. Also............as I've mentioned before, my priority is heavier to the go-n-the-snow and slightly less on the high performance.........so I go with a narrower tire and 17s. Good luck........lots of good driving yet before the snow flies

i'll have to agree with a lot of other people, the dunlop winter sport M2's are amazing tires. their dry grip is really good too, very consistent break-loose points and all the other good characteristics i like! and in the snow and slushy stuff, and rain too, they're bomb-proof. they're excellent in every category.

The M2s have been discontinued in light of the introduction of M3s. Although I have a set on order, I unfortunately cannot report on how good they are (I am assuming they will be as good as or hopefully better than the M2s). TD in DC

Mine are M3s. Unfortunately I can't compare to the M2s since I've never had them. I can say I love my M3s. I can't believe how good a Boxster is in the snow with these tires. Why would I ever need a "winter" car again?!?

That's very good to hear. I always drive my P-Cars through the winter, stopping only when clearance problems (or morons with summer tires on their 3 series) make it too difficult to navigate Georgetown hills.

I had an MR2 Spyder before the 911. With the stock tires this thing was totally uncontrollable in any kind of snow and the first year I parked it for about 3 months. The following year I added a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks and what an incredible difference � the car was very easy to control. I am anticipating that the C4S with snow tires will be even better. As someone already said � why would I need a winter car? Barry

well, i needed a winter car. so i used my C4. i drove it through 3 boston winters (it was my only car). it outhandled every other car on the road, bar none. now i'll be using my xterra as the winter car, but with the RWD (4WD on tap) i'm not imagining it'll touch the C4's performance!

I agree. I haven't driven an Xterra, but I have driven Chevy and GMC trucks with 4WD in the snow and I think that in light snow (up to say 5 inches), the C4S with snow tires is better than the big 4WDs. I like it better because it is much more difficult to stop and control a heavey 5,000 + pound truck than a relatively light 3,000 pound 911. The only car I've ever driven that is better in the snow is my mother's Audi Quattro. I think that it is better because the tires have a deeper snow tread and aren't as wide as the tires on my C4S plus also has greater clearance and is probably good in a foot of snow or more. Just my .02.

For what it's worth, I think that tires are the single biggest factor in winter handling. I would rather drive a honda accord with good winter tires than any AWD vehicle with high performance summer tires, or worn tires of any sort. Funny how people around DC do not seem to care about this. I cannot tell whether it is because most are used to buying cars with all season tires (and thus are surprised when they buy a car with summer tires standard) or that we live far enough north that you need winter tires but far enough south that we don't get that many snows (which most people think govern whether you need winter tires).

Ditto that TD.....well said. Only thing I'd add is that that below 40 degrees, the dif between 'Z' rubber with a performance tread..........and a winter tire/tread.....is pretty big. Add snow, and it's "bigger"

Are you sure the M2's have been discontinued? There is no mention of this on the Dunlop website and Tire Rack offers both tires for sale. The M3's are not a brand new tire, as I know the M3's were available this time last year. It was my understanding that the difference in the M2 vs. M3 was really their ability to handle snow/ice and speed. The M3 have a higher speed rating than the M2 (VR vs. HR) and the M2 are designed for more snow. It was explained to me last year when I was trying to decide between the M2 and M3 for my wife's 3-series, that the M3 was for occasional light snow and more dry weather performance whereas the M2 compromises some dry weather performance for better handling in the snow.

I just ordered M3s from Tire Rack last week. Yes, they still have M2s in stock, but they will not be receiving any more once they are sold out. At least, that is what the TireRack sales agent told me. I asked about whether I should consider the M2s, and she said no, that the M3s were meant to "replace" the M2s entirely. No personal knowledge though, only what was told.

Good to know. Maybe I can get a deal on some closeouts.

absolutely, i don't think you'll get any disagreement to that! i'll take a RWD car with snow tires over an AWD car with all season tires ANY DAY! a lot of people these days think that an AWD car means you can drive in the snow and rain without having to worry about traction. they must know something i don't......

"On my C4S I put. Front - 225/40VR18 Pirelli Winter 240 SnowSport Rear - 265/35VR18 Pirelli Winter 240 SnowSport These went right on the OEM Rims, Rear rims stick out a 1/8 " but still look fine." I have been advised that this will stretch the tire too much and is not recommenned per tirerack:The largest snow tire we sell for your Porsche is a 265/35-18. The widest wheel you can put that tire on is an 18"x10.5", so no we don't sell a snow tire that will fit on your 18"x11" rear wheel. Feel free to call me on [phone removed] x623 if you wish to discuss. Thanks for your inquiry, Lee __________________

While its not recommended I didn't have a problem, I've only done this for one winter season and I am buying the Mille Miglia cup3 wheels for this winter season. Taking off the tires to many times also isn't good for the tires. With the extra set of rims used for winter will give me a chance to clean up the summer ones without any driving downtime.

don't waste your time with any of the tirerack selection of winter tires. just get nokians. they might be harder to find, but they will last several seasons and have an indescribable advantage against other snow tires in performance.

18x8 front, 18x10 rear Turbo-looks (versus the stock 18x11 rear) Pirelli 240 Snowsports 225 /40 front, 265/35 rear I drove to Killington every other weekend last year with no problems at all.