Snow driving in a 996 C2

I was toying with the idea of a 996 C2, but then I remembered that I'd have to drive it in NJ/CT winters. What's your experiences with your C2's in the snow? I realize that snow tires (or all-weather tires only used in the snow) would be crucial, but, any more info? Thanks, Jake

Its OK... Wouldnt say it is great... My old saab 900 was **much**better than the 911 with 17" snows. Ross

you MUST run it with winter tires though, and high snow (over 6 inches) will be a problem.

Afterthought: I drive a WRX now. I've driven my friend's S4 and that understeered like a tank, partially due to it's weight and due to the all weather tires (in the snow). My WRX rarely understeers and I've yet to drive a car that out-handles mine in bad weather. Now, I know I'd be comparing apples to oranges, albeit as they're both tasty and good for you... Will I be utterly disappointed with a 996 C2 in the snow? Since all of it's weight is over it's back-side, will the front wheels act as skis in the snow?

The closest comparison I've got is driving my buddy's STi and my old 350Z. The STi was so much fun in the snow. The only goal in the 350Z was to get around town in one piece... and if there's any accumulation of snow, it turned into a plow. I've got 5 months of snow on the ground, so the C2 just gets parked and I drive a FWD on winter tires.

I currently have a '99 C2 and with a good set of winter tires it does great in the snow up to about 6 inches on the road. At that point you probably don't want to be out there in anything anyway, especially in NJ. The tricky part is how long the soft compound lasts in the winter tires. I am now going on my 4th winter with the current tires and although I theorectically have sufficient tread at 7/32", they don't feel as sticky as when they were new. I have always driven my Porsches through the winter and never encountered any real difficulites. Just rinse the salt and road dirt off every once in a while. Actually the biggest danger is that in the winter I am tempted to use the power washer rather than hand washing. And too much pressure in the wrong place can do some damage. I had a Audi S4 and actually blew the paint off by the rear license plate.

I live in the DC area and have never owned snow tires before. But now I am considering it. Do you need snows all the way around, or just the rear?

All the way around. With winter tires on the rear only, imagine getting a good "push" from the rears but limited traction and control from the summer tires on the front. That would NOT be a good thing!

I just bought a set of blizzak's on 17s" from a fellow board member...so thank you board member! I did not dare to drive on the 18s Conts in snow so I don't know what I am missing or not, but my X5 feels much safer driving around on 20" All Seasons than C2 on winter shoes. Having said that, it is possibly because I have not driven the 996 enough. Besides DC does not get a lot of snow anyways.

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Yeah, don't even think about rears only. Winter tires are about much more than getting traction from a stop at the powered wheels. Cornering, braking, channeling wet stuff... I actually believe that you'd even be safer on four summer tires than you would be mixing them like that.

I have Blizzaks LM25 on stock 17" wheels on my daily driver 996 C2. So far, it has been great. With a few inches of snow (north of Seattle), the car has performed flawlessly. I even installed my Spyder Spikes setup (a better snow chain alternative) in case snow chains are required when I go snowboarding in the Cascades i.e. Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain. So far, I have not needed the spikes in the mountains. The LM25s have been sufficient.

I think a C2 with winter tires can make a lot of fun in the snow; at least if you know how to drive it like master R�hrl. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OekJdxidRMY

Just moved to Boston and my new to 04 C2, without PSM, running 18's with Blizzaks has been great so far. They make lots of road noise but the car handles really nicely in the snow. (its also uber fun to let the back slide around the bends) In D.C. I just parked the Boxster S for the winter, but am going to run the C2 all year. sdemw

I drove a 944 Turbo through many NJ wintes with Dunlop Winter sports, as long as I stayed off the boost the car was unstoppable! I have to thiink the 996 would be pretty good as well, Not planning to drive mine in the snow but only because I have other cars and cant justify the winter tire/wheel expense

I was given a pair of used Conti winter tires for the rear, 265/35/18 which I haven't mounted yet. I have found a pair for the front, Blizzak lm-25 235/40/18 for $125 new. Will these work on standard OEM wheels for a 03 C2?

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Yes, those tires (235/40/18) will work. I have 235/40/18 PS2's on the front of my car right now. We don't get much if any snow here in the Charlotte area so no need for snow tires.

Fit aside, I wouldn't mix brands like that if I were you. I don't mean to be cavalier with your money, but in this case especially, I would be willing to bet on distinctly different handling with the Blizzaks than with the Contis.