For C4s/TT snow: issue with 295/35-18 Pirelli 240 SnowSport?

Hi. Stock wheels on a 2002 996TT (11" wide). A post said that size worked well. Tire rack has issues with the size. I realize that width is not "ideal" for snow....but I don't plan to drive in deep stuff, just want tires for light snow and capability in cold weather. If the Pzero Nero M+S were around, I would use that instead.... Does anyone have thoughts...I want to avoid going to a narrower rim and spacers if possible. Thank you! JB

This is the recomended set-up from Porsche for the stock wheels on a 996 C4S or TT: N-Rated Pirelli Winter 240 SnowSport 235/40/18 for the front (8") 295/35/18 for the rear (11") Spoke to several people and to the parts manager at my dealer and this is the set-up. Yes the sidewalls are a little higher front and back, but you really will not notice the difference (see pic). These tires are amazing in the cold...no regrets. I have not seen a loss of grip whatsoever in below zero (c) weather. I ordered them from Damon at Tire Rack and he specifically told me that he'd sold many of these in that size for widebody 996's.

Thanks. I called and they said that the size would make the ABS go off...1" diameter issue. You must be lucky on this.... So, I went 265 in the rear.... I wanted 295...oh well. The particular dealer I am dealing with said he had the same issue with another turbo....seems to be hit or miss...so he suggested I play it safe, as the tires are not free. Thanks all. BTW, I was a rennlist member once...any way to get that restored...under user jcb-memphis? JB JB

My dealer told me 295 were for the 997s. Went with 265 for my C4S but am using narrower rims with spacers. Better in the snow. Be careful if you are using 265 on 11" wheels, they will be easy to curb!

No ABS issues. That's why the fronts are wider 235 vs 225; that keeps the rolling diameter within tolerances between front and rear. If you have more than 3% differences, it confuses the ABS and PSM and will cause the them to malfunction. I did lots of due dilligence with Porsche and spoke to a Porsche master technician about it before I went ahead. Putting 265 on anything wider than a 10.5" wide rear wheel is NOT recomended anymore. There is the potential of losing the sealing bead and of a sudden depressurization of the tire.

My own dealer recommended it! (Downtown Porsche )

That's the same dealer who recomended my set-up and my car was there 3 weeks ago for some warranty work so they would have commented on any PSM/ABS fault codes (I've had them on since mid Nov.). Oh well, I'm not surprised with the mixed messages; I'm involved in dealer training for various manufacturers and this sort of thing is pretty typical. If you go to the tire mfgr sites, they usually list min and max wheel widths for specific tire sizes. But if it makes you feel better, up until last year they were putting 265's on the 11" wheels because a 295 was simply not available in winter tire. Many guys are running around still with that set-up and haven't had any problems.

Thanks guys. This dealer told me same car, same tire in 265, customer is out there 2 years. I had a 993 C4 1995 with C4S modded body and cup wheels, 11" in the back, and put 265's on the back during a period when I could not even get larger tires......don't ask. About 2 years ago and only cars with OEM wide wheels could get tires for some reason "UNLESS" one went to the porsche dealer to get the tires...and their pricing was just a little higher. :-) Thanks again. JB