Using a 991 in winter on UK roads -

Using a 991 in winter on UK roads -

Author
Discussion

Vroom2

Original Poster:

150 posts

169 months

Wednesday 25th November 2020
quotequote all
Hi Folks,

I've recently bought an as new 991.

I plan to use the car as much of the year as possible, as a weekend toy.

I would like to keep the car in A1+ condition.

With this in mind, how stupid is it to use the car through the winter months, having salt and grit on the roads?

Assuming the car is thoroughly cleaned, dried and kept in a well ventilated and heated garage, is that likely to be sufficient?

How often is is advisable to power wash the underside?

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Cheers!

Koln-RS

3,864 posts

212 months

Wednesday 25th November 2020
quotequote all
Using a 991 is no different to a VW Golf.
U.K. winters aren’t that severe, unless you live in the depths of Scotland.
The poor condition of many of our roads probably causes more damage, and that is year round.

fistenburger

265 posts

190 months

Wednesday 25th November 2020
quotequote all
I use my 991 year-round too. I wish i'd had PPF to the front of the car as i have a few stone/grit chips now, so that's something you'll want to look in to.
The best thing I did was to get a set of winter wheels and winter tyres. I found the car much more predictable in cold temperatures on the winter tyres, and it also feels a bit more comfortable too.
I had my heater fan fail last year, but I gather they all do that. It's a straightforward repair, but look out for signs of it sticking as you don't want to be without heat if using your 991 in winter.

rosino

1,346 posts

172 months

Wednesday 25th November 2020
quotequote all
I you really that worried, fit ppf to the front of the car which will protect the car no end on our awful roads, summer or winter.

then when you use it make sure to have it regularly thoroughly washed to remove salt residue, but that aside it should have no issues whatsoever. good set of tyres and you good to go.. i mean winters is an interesting idea but i found on mine i would not really take them out in horrible conditions, so a good set of PS4S is probably all you need unless you planning to daily drive it regularly in the depth of winter in the countryside

you bought a vanilla 991 at the end of the day.. not some exotic 90s Ferrari..

Vroom2

Original Poster:

150 posts

169 months

Wednesday 25th November 2020
quotequote all
Good tips guys - thanks! I think the power washer's going to get a lot of use! I'm glad I didn't go for an Aston Martin or Ferrari due to the better all year round usability.

st33ly

495 posts

147 months

Thursday 26th November 2020
quotequote all
Hi mate.

Just wanted to reply to your post regarding protection for your 991. I have a golf GTI CSS and looking to eventually progress to a 991.1 GT3. I just need to work harder and save harder but one day I’ll get there. I know really very little about Porsches however I would imagine the suspension components are of alloy and some steel. So firstly you want to wash / degrease as much of the current gunk / road grime off. Pressure wash and Hilt Hammber Sufex HD / auto foam mix with a selection of brushes. Ideally wheel off shout. Then once it is all bone dry and I mean bone dry spray very liberal coat of Bilt Hammber DynacHC wax. If you prep the underside well and apply it liberally once it’s dry your underside will be very well protected over the poor salty winters.

I’m not sponsored by BH I just get great results using them. If you need any more help drop me a PM.

I hope this helps. Maybe you can give me some advice on 991.2’s.

Cheers.

KrisP

597 posts

180 months

Thursday 26th November 2020
quotequote all
fistenburger said:
I use my 991 year-round too. I wish i'd had PPF to the front of the car as i have a few stone/grit chips now, so that's something you'll want to look in to.
The best thing I did was to get a set of winter wheels and winter tyres. I found the car much more predictable in cold temperatures on the winter tyres, and it also feels a bit more comfortable too.
I had my heater fan fail last year, but I gather they all do that. It's a straightforward repair, but look out for signs of it sticking as you don't want to be without heat if using your 991 in winter.
Did you fix the heater fan yourself, or have someone do it? Mine has decided it wants to remain permanently on, and now has the fuse pulled, and hence the requirement to fix

Tommie38

758 posts

194 months

Thursday 26th November 2020
quotequote all
How long will you keep the car? 2-5 years or for the rest of your life?

footsoldier

2,258 posts

192 months

Thursday 26th November 2020
quotequote all
Honestly...wash it, use it for 5 months, wash it again.
Will look like brand new

fistenburger

265 posts

190 months

Friday 27th November 2020
quotequote all
KrisP said:
fistenburger said:
I use my 991 year-round too. I wish i'd had PPF to the front of the car as i have a few stone/grit chips now, so that's something you'll want to look in to.
The best thing I did was to get a set of winter wheels and winter tyres. I found the car much more predictable in cold temperatures on the winter tyres, and it also feels a bit more comfortable too.
I had my heater fan fail last year, but I gather they all do that. It's a straightforward repair, but look out for signs of it sticking as you don't want to be without heat if using your 991 in winter.
Did you fix the heater fan yourself, or have someone do it? Mine has decided it wants to remain permanently on, and now has the fuse pulled, and hence the requirement to fix
I got it fixed at the dealer under warranty. Allegedly an age-old 911 problem regardless of generation. You'd have thought they'd have engineered this issue out by now.....
To temporarily remedy a stuck (off) blower you just take the lid off the cabin filter box and nudge the fan blades with your fingers. Obviously with the engine/electrics off!
Not sure what you do with one that's stuck on though.

craigjm

17,955 posts

200 months

Friday 27th November 2020
quotequote all
Vroom2 said:
Good tips guys - thanks! I think the power washer's going to get a lot of use! I'm glad I didn't go for an Aston Martin or Ferrari due to the better all year round usability.
Really? A modern Aston Martin or Ferrari is no less useable all year round than anything else. It’s just a car! The garage queen protectionism just denies people the enjoyment they are paying for because they have a fixation on mileage.

cypriot

475 posts

99 months

Friday 27th November 2020
quotequote all
I think you assume cars are made of sugar... they can and should be used all year round, and with basic protection it will be fine. Wash it correctly every few weeks, and get the underside treated with ACF-50 every 2 years if you are really concerned.

SL550M

593 posts

110 months

Friday 27th November 2020
quotequote all
Couldn't agree more. These things are meant to be driven. I used a 996.2 GT3 as my daily driver for a couple of years. No problems. Replaced that with a 550 Maranello and did the same in that for 4 years and almost 30,000 miles. Happy days.

Steve Rance

5,446 posts

231 months

Friday 27th November 2020
quotequote all
footsoldier said:
Honestly...wash it, use it for 5 months, wash it again.
Will look like brand new
I like the way that you think..

Bolognese2

66 posts

47 months

Friday 27th November 2020
quotequote all
i have a 991.1 4S manual.I use it all year.
Only if it snows i leave it at home and use the 5 series X drive of my wife with winter tyres.
In the UK is often barely cold enough for winter tyres but we do put them on my wife car for extra safety and as we live in rural area we need at least 1 car.
That's kind of it really.
991 can be used all year round. may want to wash it every 4 /6 weeks. say 3 times during the winter....

GT4RS

4,424 posts

197 months

Friday 27th November 2020
quotequote all
Just use it all year and do your best to keep it clean.

It’s a 911, it’s designed to be used all year round.

2mpete

70 posts

68 months

Saturday 28th November 2020
quotequote all
st33ly said:
Hi mate.

Just wanted to reply to your post regarding protection for your 991. I have a golf GTI CSS and looking to eventually progress to a 991.1 GT3. I just need to work harder and save harder but one day I’ll get there. I know really very little about Porsches however I would imagine the suspension components are of alloy and some steel. So firstly you want to wash / degrease as much of the current gunk / road grime off. Pressure wash and Hilt Hammber Sufex HD / auto foam mix with a selection of brushes. Ideally wheel off shout. Then once it is all bone dry and I mean bone dry spray very liberal coat of Bilt Hammber DynacHC wax. If you prep the underside well and apply it liberally once it’s dry your underside will be very well protected over the poor salty winters.

I’m not sponsored by BH I just get great results using them. If you need any more help drop me a PM.

I hope this helps. Maybe you can give me some advice on 991.2’s.

Cheers.
Lucky man. What an outstanding car the CSS is. Owned one for 10 months and miss it so much. If Porsche did a FWD GT3, this would be it. The best value fun I’ve ever had - unbelievable early playful. Noisy though!

Think I’ll have to get one again some day. Wouldn’t swap the touring for it but the fun factor is very close between them. The

Billy_Whizzzz

2,007 posts

143 months

Saturday 28th November 2020
quotequote all
I have a gen 2 997 with 50000 miles that was used in winter and has needed a £3500 underbody returb recently. Anything attached to the body corroded and seams etc were beginning to go. Glad I caught it. Won’t use it in winter again. A 991 will be no different - fine now but in a few years everything underneath will have begun to corrode.

flying scotsman

123 posts

222 months

Sunday 29th November 2020
quotequote all
I use my 991.1 4s cab daily. March 19-March 20 was 16000 miles in all weather with no issues. Covid has reduced the mileage this year considerably.

st33ly

495 posts

147 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
quotequote all
2mpete said:
Lucky man. What an outstanding car the CSS is. Owned one for 10 months and miss it so much. If Porsche did a FWD GT3, this would be it. The best value fun I’ve ever had - unbelievable early playful. Noisy though!

Think I’ll have to get one again some day. Wouldn’t swap the touring for it but the fun factor is very close between them. The
Appreciate the kind words Sir.

I would love a proper look around a GT3. I have never been in or driven a 911 and I feel a Porsche of some kind will be the next move however I don’t want to let go of my CSS. At some point soon I will be heading to Edinburgh OPC and have a look. Hopefully the sales staff won’t look down their nose at me.