996 C4 winter driving experience

Hi guys, Im situated here in Ontario Canada where our roads are covered in snow/ice for a good part of the year. I am looking to solicit some feedback for those of you who routinely drive there C4 during the winter an snowy months WIll be using the Landrover for the really heavy days (foot or more) but wondering what the user experience has been like for the most part. Cheers Joseph.

I drove a 996 C4S for two winters and considered it to be the best winter car I've ever driven including the various SUV's I've had. I'll be driving a 996 turbo this winter. Put 4 snows on it and don't drive it through really deep snow and you'll be fine. Enjoy.

You'll have a ball. I drive my plain jane C2 all winter long on snow tires. Even with no all wheel drive and no traction assists like PSM, it's still amazingly competent, so yours should only be better. Only ground clearance will cause you any grief. You may lose the odd brake cooling duct (cheap and easy to replace), but you will enjoy every mile.

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...your-pics.html try this link.... welcome

4 winters in Boston and I'm sitll cruising around every other car/suv on the road with my winter tires installed. You'll have no worries, but you're also not indesctructable. Drive with caution in bad conditions you'll be all set.

Likewise, I've driven 2 winters with 4 dedicated snow tires with my 99' C2, and other than 'deep' snow my Porsche only adds to winter driving enjoyment.

Same for me too. The C4 is great in the snow. I am a little concerned this year... having lowered the car 1 3/4".

There are schools porsche offers. There are even rallys in the snow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sl0r...eature=related The blonde bomb shell isn't standard equipment although it should be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urnGh...eature=related

Snow tires a must. It's an awesome winter car! With my car lowered, about 4" is the max depth I can handle. If the snow is deeper than that, I stay home.

My C4 with winter tires is the funnest winter car I've ever owned. Please don't try it with the wrong tires!

Same here: drove my C4S all winter in atlantic canada. Few friends that drove it said it was better than their SUV. First winter in a long time I was actually wishing for snow.

I am running 17" wheels in the winter with snow tires and the car is as good as my Subaru in the snow and way more fun to be in. Do it!

Around here in the wintertime, snow falls or freezing weather, I'd drive a tank ir I owned one. My C4 might very well get around just fine but I have no doubt it would come home BRUISED. I'll stick to driving my '01 F/awd RX300 or if things get really bad my '94 R/awd Ford Aerostar.

No doubt that the AWD 996s do fine in not-too-deep snow with new winter tires. This past year, I discovered a real downside to winter driving in the C4S. During periods of sustained cold after a heavy snow, ruts and potholes will form in the packed-down snow that freezes. It's like broken pavement, with some ice "curbs" a couple of inches high. Low profile tires on 18" wheels have a terrible time in those conditions, even if they are winter tires. There's not enough sidewall to cushion the transitions, and the forces can almost pull the steering wheel out of your hands. I would have to slow down to almost walking speed to get past some of these conditions without popping a bead or bending a wheel, which of course is dangerous if there is traffic around that can't figure out why you're suddenly slowing down and swerving.

I live where the OP lives, and the conditions you describe are pretty rare. If we do get deep slush that freezes, then yes, I leave my car at home and take the truck. But in this city, it's almost never an issue. The bigger challenge is salt, which requires some diligence.

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I am in Mississauga and will drive my newly aquired 02 C2 in the winter as it is my only car. I just got a used set of 17" porsche rims with snow tires (50% left on the tires). Why is the salt a challenge? and what is required in terms of deligence? Is there anything else that I need to be aware of or do on a regular basis during the winter? Thanks

I only meant that you have to keep it clean. Regular visits to the DIY car wash and such. I actually find the body and paint incredibly resilient in this regard, though. The big watch-out in my experience is the radiators. The POs of my car apparently never cleaned them out. After awhile, leaf muck collected in the corners, which in turn soaked up brine from the road. Eventually, the radiators just rotted out. My AC condensers were restored with some kind of chemical bath, but the rads had to be replaced. They actually started to spout coolant just from being washed, that's how bad they were. So I would make a point of taking that front bumper off and cleaning the rads and condensers every spring, if I were you.

I also just go to a self-service car wash with the wands or handheld sprayers...I don't use their foaming brush ever, just the spray to remove winter grime and salt. If your hugely '****' about your Porsche, you most likely won't be driving in crappy conditions, because your 911 will still not be anywhere near concours condition. I'd rather drive mine and enjoy the year round experience.

I always go to the regular car washes in the gas stations. Is that bad? I had an NSX for 3 years and I did the same thing I am not **** about the 911 or any car at all. I really don't have the patience to detail and wash my car by hand. I only enjoy the driving experience. Should I sell the 911 based on that and buy a 92 camry in green? (since most of these came in green) - just kidding

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Automatic car washes are rough on the paint. If you're OK with the scratches it leaves behind, then, by all means, go for it.

Thanks for all the input, Any items mechanical or otherwise that tend to more suspectible to cold weather? I know its a car like all others, but just want to be sure. Looks like i will be enjoying the C4 in the winter...

My car has had zero issues in cold weather. The biggest is probably the windows fogging up, but that's another discussion all together.

Life is short! Drive it year round!!

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The easiest way to solve that problem is to totally disable the A/C unless/until you need it for actual cooling or initial cooldown. These new modern A/C evaporators are so dense and complex they often act as a sponge, holding enough of yesterday's condensate(***) to fog over, completely fog over, the windshield at initial startup the following morning. Back in '01 Toyota begin using a dealer set option, C-best option, so the A/C could be turned off, defrost/defog/demist mode inclusive, and REMAIN off indefintely absent driver action. My '01 F/awd RX300 has the option set so I can turn the A/C ONCE and be done with it until the following spring(?). My '01 C4 has a switch modification that opens the A/C compressor clutch circuit. *** Or the condensate from the moments ago short term use of the A/C for dehumidification to help defog....

Only issue I needed to be aware of was when driving throug deeper snow, the snow would accumulate inside the wheels and then freeze overnight. Next time you drive, the ice inside kicks the crap out of everything. Need to get the ice out of the wheels before you go very far. Hand car wash with hot water worked. Just be aware.