Need roof bars
Discussion
Hi,
I have just moved from London to Amsterdam, sold my old 996 and got a new LHD one (2000 996 C2 tip) over here.
I have 2 questions:
1) I am going skiing at Christmas and will be driving to the alps, but I can't seem to find anywhere that sells roof bars (to put the skiis on) except my local Porsche deler and they want euro 60, does anyone know where I can get soem a bit cheeper? In the UK or Holland???
2) I don't expect to find much snow on the roads, but if I do, whats she going to be like? she has TC, but I just don't know what to expect, with a tip, TC, ABS and big fat tyers.
Thanks in advance
Gary
I have just moved from London to Amsterdam, sold my old 996 and got a new LHD one (2000 996 C2 tip) over here.
I have 2 questions:
1) I am going skiing at Christmas and will be driving to the alps, but I can't seem to find anywhere that sells roof bars (to put the skiis on) except my local Porsche deler and they want euro 60, does anyone know where I can get soem a bit cheeper? In the UK or Holland???
2) I don't expect to find much snow on the roads, but if I do, whats she going to be like? she has TC, but I just don't know what to expect, with a tip, TC, ABS and big fat tyers.
Thanks in advance
Gary
Edited by gazza_newman on Friday 21st September 15:50
gazza_newman said:
But I would still realy apprecate advice re driving on snow with a 996 tip.
I (and I suspect many others here) could not advise you on this as frankly there is no way that I would want to do it unless there was no other option. A C4 perhaps, but a 2wd tiptronic 911 on snow is something that I would expect to require more telent than I have. The last time that it snowed here and I had to drive, I borrowed a Honda Civic. That is my advice...
Hummm just as I thought....I am hoping that the roads to the chelet are clear o f snow.
Well given the snow record in Europe at christmas I may be ok.
Most of the drive from Amsterdam to the Alps is through Germany so I will have som fun, once I hit the hills I will take your advice and go very slow. fingers crossed
Well given the snow record in Europe at christmas I may be ok.
Most of the drive from Amsterdam to the Alps is through Germany so I will have som fun, once I hit the hills I will take your advice and go very slow. fingers crossed
Hope this helps!
In 2005 I went to Switzerland with a 987 boxster with summer tyres got stuck immediately and had to park up and get the train.....
Now I have a C4 with winter tyres for the alps, and quite frankly it is amazing the difference between summer and winter tyres, for example:
Last year I arrived on summer tyres and the PCM light was constantly flashing and the computer was working overtime to try and keep the car going. Going downhill is my biggest fear the ABS lets you steer but it feels like it will never stop. this was on worn snow/ice/tarmac.
The following morning we had an inch of snow on the road and I was rather glad when we got out of the village and went to Porsche Bern to fit the winters (Pirellis). I asked the dealer if he recommened chains, and he said no.
It had to continue snow throughout the the day and on returning back to the chalet we had about 6 inches of snow, the PCM didnt flash once, no use of the ABS, it felt brilliant. I have had the same effect on my A6 Quattro.
Dont want to put a downer on your trip but, I wouldnt consider it if you are travelling above 750m, and I do believe that it might be illegal not to have a winter equiped car in some countries.
Happy to answer any other questions if you need further help
RT
By the way my Winters are only rated to 240kmh, might not be a problem for you, but it kept holding me back on the way home!
In 2005 I went to Switzerland with a 987 boxster with summer tyres got stuck immediately and had to park up and get the train.....
Now I have a C4 with winter tyres for the alps, and quite frankly it is amazing the difference between summer and winter tyres, for example:
Last year I arrived on summer tyres and the PCM light was constantly flashing and the computer was working overtime to try and keep the car going. Going downhill is my biggest fear the ABS lets you steer but it feels like it will never stop. this was on worn snow/ice/tarmac.
The following morning we had an inch of snow on the road and I was rather glad when we got out of the village and went to Porsche Bern to fit the winters (Pirellis). I asked the dealer if he recommened chains, and he said no.
It had to continue snow throughout the the day and on returning back to the chalet we had about 6 inches of snow, the PCM didnt flash once, no use of the ABS, it felt brilliant. I have had the same effect on my A6 Quattro.
Dont want to put a downer on your trip but, I wouldnt consider it if you are travelling above 750m, and I do believe that it might be illegal not to have a winter equiped car in some countries.
Happy to answer any other questions if you need further help
RT
By the way my Winters are only rated to 240kmh, might not be a problem for you, but it kept holding me back on the way home!
Edited by rt911 on Saturday 22 September 23:34
RT,
Thanks a lot. very good info and now has me worried.
I am going to Chatel, and that is 23 km from the nearest motorway, and I think that those 23km will be twisty and uphill.
I am assuming that the motorways will be kept clear of snow as I think the French so quite a good job of that.
However a full set of winter tyres sounds like a expensive option, I will do a Google and see if I can find some good recommendations on snow chains.
Thanks again
Gary
Thanks a lot. very good info and now has me worried.
I am going to Chatel, and that is 23 km from the nearest motorway, and I think that those 23km will be twisty and uphill.
I am assuming that the motorways will be kept clear of snow as I think the French so quite a good job of that.
However a full set of winter tyres sounds like a expensive option, I will do a Google and see if I can find some good recommendations on snow chains.
Thanks again
Gary
Gary,
Stayed in Chatel, March 2006. Flew into Geneva and hired car, Renault Scenic thing with winter tyres.
Lot of snow that year and main road to Chatel was closed part of the way, meaning a twisty cross-country lanes signed detour.
Boarded Chatel and Avoriaz and there was big dump of snow whilst we were there, meaning a fair bit snow just to get to base lifts.
Not a Porsche driver, Exige, but IMHO wouldn't take a 911 C2 there without winter tyres.
John
Stayed in Chatel, March 2006. Flew into Geneva and hired car, Renault Scenic thing with winter tyres.
Lot of snow that year and main road to Chatel was closed part of the way, meaning a twisty cross-country lanes signed detour.
Boarded Chatel and Avoriaz and there was big dump of snow whilst we were there, meaning a fair bit snow just to get to base lifts.
Not a Porsche driver, Exige, but IMHO wouldn't take a 911 C2 there without winter tyres.
John
I have a 993 2S and its a nightmare in the snow - it will suddenly start drifting with no input from me! Good friend of mine has a 993 4S and a place in Meribel and he always puts on winter tyres and never has a problem - even when the police are stopping people at the bottom and telling them to put chains on! As previously said it is illegal to drive a car in some alpine countries without chains/winter tyres on in the winter.
I have been Googleing this morning, and it seems that I can get some good chains from http://www.skidrive.co.uk for £90 back and £70 front that fit my tyres.
Has anyone tried driving a 996 with snow chains? I would like to think that they would do the job??????
Has anyone tried driving a 996 with snow chains? I would like to think that they would do the job??????
Gary
A few things to bear in mind,
1 You dont need chains for the front wheels. You only put chains on the driven wheels, and unfortunately I think you will find that only Porsche chains will fit. I would love to be proved wrong on this point, but the car has only a limited amount of space within the wheelarch, and this could be a problem. I assume you have standard suspension, no spacers etc.
2 Because of no chains on the front you will have a problem steering and braking. Remember that ice will affect the car as well.
3 Motorways and normal A/B roads can get pretty dicy if it is snowing, a few times now I have driven the best part of 200kms of motorway, which if I had been on summers I would not of made it.
Not trying to be all doom n gloom but these are my experiences, I would get a Plan B or C lined up, hire car or public transport just incase. Might be a pain in the arse if you get to Chatel, then you get a dumping of snow, and you cannot get the car out until March!
RT
A few things to bear in mind,
1 You dont need chains for the front wheels. You only put chains on the driven wheels, and unfortunately I think you will find that only Porsche chains will fit. I would love to be proved wrong on this point, but the car has only a limited amount of space within the wheelarch, and this could be a problem. I assume you have standard suspension, no spacers etc.
2 Because of no chains on the front you will have a problem steering and braking. Remember that ice will affect the car as well.
3 Motorways and normal A/B roads can get pretty dicy if it is snowing, a few times now I have driven the best part of 200kms of motorway, which if I had been on summers I would not of made it.
Not trying to be all doom n gloom but these are my experiences, I would get a Plan B or C lined up, hire car or public transport just incase. Might be a pain in the arse if you get to Chatel, then you get a dumping of snow, and you cannot get the car out until March!
RT
RT,
I don't think you are being doom and gloom, I think it is helpfull information so thanks for that.....
Below is the advice on the www.skidrive.co.uk website re RWD cars and clearance....in their FAQ section
My vehicle is rear wheel drive, should I fit them on the steering or driving wheels?
With rear wheel drive cars, there are basically two options.
The safer (but more expensive) option would be to run chains all round. This obviously gives consistent grip at both ends of the vehicle, and maximum resilience against harsh conditions.
The alternative is to run chains just on the driven rear wheels. This ensures that the vehicle keeps moving forwards, but leaves you with reduced grip on the front of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle will have an inherent tendancy to understeer. Conventional wisdom says that if a car is going to either under or oversteer, understeer is the safer option, as most competant drivers can easily assess the available grip, and any loss of control can normally be controlled easily by simply removing any throttle and brake that's being applied until steering is regained.
My car has large wheels and tyres with very little room to fit snow chains.
We sell a range of 'slim fit chains' for vehicles with low clearance.
The easiest way to determine if your vehicle has a problem with clearance is to run your fingers around the entire wheel/tyre, if your fingers clear the suspension, wheel arch and inner wing then chains can generally be fitted. If this is not possible, we would recommend contacting us for further clarification.
I don't think you are being doom and gloom, I think it is helpfull information so thanks for that.....
Below is the advice on the www.skidrive.co.uk website re RWD cars and clearance....in their FAQ section
My vehicle is rear wheel drive, should I fit them on the steering or driving wheels?
With rear wheel drive cars, there are basically two options.
The safer (but more expensive) option would be to run chains all round. This obviously gives consistent grip at both ends of the vehicle, and maximum resilience against harsh conditions.
The alternative is to run chains just on the driven rear wheels. This ensures that the vehicle keeps moving forwards, but leaves you with reduced grip on the front of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle will have an inherent tendancy to understeer. Conventional wisdom says that if a car is going to either under or oversteer, understeer is the safer option, as most competant drivers can easily assess the available grip, and any loss of control can normally be controlled easily by simply removing any throttle and brake that's being applied until steering is regained.
My car has large wheels and tyres with very little room to fit snow chains.
We sell a range of 'slim fit chains' for vehicles with low clearance.
The easiest way to determine if your vehicle has a problem with clearance is to run your fingers around the entire wheel/tyre, if your fingers clear the suspension, wheel arch and inner wing then chains can generally be fitted. If this is not possible, we would recommend contacting us for further clarification.
Gary
Please check with them that they will fit your car, and if so get the prices...
Then get a quote for snow tyres (front and back)
Then consider the use you will get.
Chains not much.
Winters will be the more expensive option, BUT you can use them all the time in winter, they are great in the rain, aquaplaning etc, and whilst you have these fitted you are saving wear on your summers, and you dont need another set of wheels, just swap the tyres on your normal rims. In the spring just swap back to the summers. (I do this on my Audi). You will be able to buy them from most suppliers and I recommend this to anyone use their porsches throughout the winter, going to the alps or not!
It may be a bit more money, but this is your car and your life you are dealing with. Put a price on that!
Please check with them that they will fit your car, and if so get the prices...
Then get a quote for snow tyres (front and back)
Then consider the use you will get.
Chains not much.
Winters will be the more expensive option, BUT you can use them all the time in winter, they are great in the rain, aquaplaning etc, and whilst you have these fitted you are saving wear on your summers, and you dont need another set of wheels, just swap the tyres on your normal rims. In the spring just swap back to the summers. (I do this on my Audi). You will be able to buy them from most suppliers and I recommend this to anyone use their porsches throughout the winter, going to the alps or not!
It may be a bit more money, but this is your car and your life you are dealing with. Put a price on that!
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