Skiing trip report in the 997 (mostly pics)
Discussion
So, this winter I decided to fit some winter tyres to my C4S as I was planning to use it for going skiing. Heck, I even bought a roof rack and ski carrier, but I didn't use them yet as my first trip was solo and I kept the skiis inside (dry and nicely wrapped up).
Winter tyres (Nokian WR N0 rated) being fitted:
Left the car out during dinner for a few hours to find it nicely covered already! Thankfully I had booked a garage with an hotel attached.
It snowed during the whole of the night so it was 'interesting' getting up at 5am to find deep snow covered side roads... Was pleased to have the 4wd, I wonder whether the C2 would have been the same with the winter tyres on? The main issue with the 911 and snow is the low front clearance and getting snow in the front ducts, so had to stop a few times to clear that off as I was afraid of reduced air flow to the rads.
The final result: dirty Pork...
The tyres come into their own at sub 5deg C temps, above that and its much more bouncy and unprecise, so much so that I can now tell whether the outside temp is >5C just through the steering wheel. The labels rated them as max speed 240km/h, which is the most I tried (lovely empty m-way at 6am on the way back) and they felt rock solid even at that speed. On the windy alpine roads they were great too and really inspired confidence when driving over any surface even allowing for some gentle overtaking.
In summary, I'm loving using the 997 in all weathers, it really is a great all rounder. Looking forward to the next skiing trip in mid Jan, this time two up and skiis on roof.
Winter tyres (Nokian WR N0 rated) being fitted:
Left the car out during dinner for a few hours to find it nicely covered already! Thankfully I had booked a garage with an hotel attached.
It snowed during the whole of the night so it was 'interesting' getting up at 5am to find deep snow covered side roads... Was pleased to have the 4wd, I wonder whether the C2 would have been the same with the winter tyres on? The main issue with the 911 and snow is the low front clearance and getting snow in the front ducts, so had to stop a few times to clear that off as I was afraid of reduced air flow to the rads.
The final result: dirty Pork...
The tyres come into their own at sub 5deg C temps, above that and its much more bouncy and unprecise, so much so that I can now tell whether the outside temp is >5C just through the steering wheel. The labels rated them as max speed 240km/h, which is the most I tried (lovely empty m-way at 6am on the way back) and they felt rock solid even at that speed. On the windy alpine roads they were great too and really inspired confidence when driving over any surface even allowing for some gentle overtaking.
In summary, I'm loving using the 997 in all weathers, it really is a great all rounder. Looking forward to the next skiing trip in mid Jan, this time two up and skiis on roof.
PGM said:
Good effort, glad there's someone else as mad in the world!
I'll report in 3 weeks regarding performance of the 997 C2S as we are going to Les Menuires, 3 valleys on 11th Jan.
I'm on summer tyres too, have chains for the snow though.
Just got back from Les Menuires today. Flew Heathrow Geneve did consider the drive but fuel/ toll / ferry / overnight cost and time against it. Road upto Reberty @ 2000 meters (300 above Menuires) not for faint hearted but fab skiing you' ll have great timeI'll report in 3 weeks regarding performance of the 997 C2S as we are going to Les Menuires, 3 valleys on 11th Jan.
I'm on summer tyres too, have chains for the snow though.
Thanks very much for the report, looking forward to the trip. Staying in Menuires so no need to travel up to Reberty luckily!
lotuselan7 said:
PGM said:
Good effort, glad there's someone else as mad in the world!
I'll report in 3 weeks regarding performance of the 997 C2S as we are going to Les Menuires, 3 valleys on 11th Jan.
I'm on summer tyres too, have chains for the snow though.
Just got back from Les Menuires today. Flew Heathrow Geneve did consider the drive but fuel/ toll / ferry / overnight cost and time against it. Road upto Reberty @ 2000 meters (300 above Menuires) not for faint hearted but fab skiing you' ll have great timeI'll report in 3 weeks regarding performance of the 997 C2S as we are going to Les Menuires, 3 valleys on 11th Jan.
I'm on summer tyres too, have chains for the snow though.
PGM said:
Good effort, glad there's someone else as mad in the world!
I'll report in 3 weeks regarding performance of the 997 C2S as we are going to Les Menuires, 3 valleys on 11th Jan.
I'm on summer tyres too, have chains for the snow though.
I'm going there the very same day, I'll look out for you. Give me a shut if you get stuck, I'll be in my X6 !I'll report in 3 weeks regarding performance of the 997 C2S as we are going to Les Menuires, 3 valleys on 11th Jan.
I'm on summer tyres too, have chains for the snow though.
Glenn McMenamin said:
PGM said:
Good effort, glad there's someone else as mad in the world!
I'll report in 3 weeks regarding performance of the 997 C2S as we are going to Les Menuires, 3 valleys on 11th Jan.
I'm on summer tyres too, have chains for the snow though.
I'm going there the very same day, I'll look out for you. Give me a shut if you get stuck, I'll be in my X6 !I'll report in 3 weeks regarding performance of the 997 C2S as we are going to Les Menuires, 3 valleys on 11th Jan.
I'm on summer tyres too, have chains for the snow though.
Test fitted the chains, no problems there so hopefully be OK, certainly an adventure!
Glenn McMenamin said:
Back on topic.
How good was the 4wd system in the snow ?, I seem to remember seeing a vid on YouTube of a stranded C4S spinning its rear wheels on wet grass but the fronts weren't moving ?
G.
I only went through tall snow (over 20 cm, fresh) once when traversing a small mound left by the snow plows and totally lost control for a couple of meters, quite unnerving, thankfully the car was going in the right direction. How good was the 4wd system in the snow ?, I seem to remember seeing a vid on YouTube of a stranded C4S spinning its rear wheels on wet grass but the fronts weren't moving ?
G.
Apart from that, on normal roads with packed snow (see pics), it was very good and handled well, brakes were prone to locking up so had to take it easy before bends. It felt more stable than some FWD cars I have driven on snow with winter tyres. Switching off PSM helps to gain traction when the car hasn't got any to start off with, such as on the steep garage ramp.
PGM said:
Tremendous, thanks!
Test fitted the chains, no problems there so hopefully be OK, certainly an adventure!
Hmmm, I thought you needed to go down a tyre width or two if running chains on a 911 ?Test fitted the chains, no problems there so hopefully be OK, certainly an adventure!
On my RS, there is a spacer on the rear wheels that can be removed in order to give more wheel arch space. Make sure those chains don't rub your arches when your suspension compresses.
Edited by Glenn McMenamin on Wednesday 2nd January 19:24
RiccardoG said:
I only went through tall snow (over 20 cm, fresh) once when traversing a small mound left by the snow plows and totally lost control for a couple of meters, quite unnerving, thankfully the car was going in the right direction.
Apart from that, on normal roads with packed snow (see pics), it was very good and handled well, brakes were prone to locking up so had to take it easy before bends. It felt more stable than some FWD cars I have driven on snow with winter tyres. Switching off PSM helps to gain traction when the car hasn't got any to start off with, such as on the steep garage ramp.
Yes, can imagine front end braking being a real problem, there's just no weight on the nose. Took my Turbo out on the snow once, getting going wasn't so bad, stopping was borderline suicidal !!!. Apart from that, on normal roads with packed snow (see pics), it was very good and handled well, brakes were prone to locking up so had to take it easy before bends. It felt more stable than some FWD cars I have driven on snow with winter tyres. Switching off PSM helps to gain traction when the car hasn't got any to start off with, such as on the steep garage ramp.
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