996 C2.......Usable in the snow?

[davegreg]

Definitely thinking about taking the plunge into Porsche ownership having spent a lot of spare time this year lurking these boards and learning about all their foibles. It would be my everyday driver, and having been an owner of a Vauxhall Monaro V8 in the past that was UTTERLY useless in the white stuff, what is this model of 911 like come the winter time? Cheers in advance.

[Homer J]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

What he said. Get winters, you'll be sorted, otherwise............Probably ste.

[Steviesam]

I work in Cheadle Staffs and the weather there is 10 x worse than even 5 miles away and its all hills.

I managed every day this very long and cold winter on summer tyres in my C2.

I did get stuck on a speed ramp in the office car park though...front wheels at the edge and the rears spinning so much it wouldnt push it over

[Magic919]

I found the 996 C2 ok in the snow. Winter tyres probably improved the margin, but it always felt ok on normal tyres.

That said, I had no problems in snow with the Monaro.

[FarQue]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

+1.

[SunDiver]

FarQue said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

+1.

+2.

It's all about the tyres. I have a 4wd Audi and Discovery. I put winters on them over winter months, because while 4wd helps somewhat with getting going, when you want to stop, the number of driven wheels just doesn't come into it. It's all about what's touching the road - the tyre compound and tread pattern. It doesn't help that modern cars have whoppingly wide tyres too. I just can't tolerate the massively long braking distances on summer tyres on snow, even at low speed, much less the traction / turning issues.

Edited by SunDiver on Friday 31st May 22:14

[MogulBoy]

http://youtu.be/KOvVPTY72DQ

Winter Tyres are a compromise that work in your favour when confitions dictate and against you when they don't. If what you want is reliable safety margin in truly wintry conditions then fit them but you must remember to change them when appear half worn (4mm). The 'winter' performance drops off rapidly thereafter. You can still run them down towards 1.6mm if you wish as it warms up but they will suck in terms of ultimate performance and you should always bear that in mind.

[anonymous-user]

The driver also has to be 'good' in the snow!

[LeoSayer]

I use winter tyres on 993 and it's fine in snow, I've never got stuck or failed to get going even on fairly steep hills.

However you have to watch out for deep snow as there is a risk of getting beached due to the low ride height.

[iantr]

Honest answer - no they are not good in snow. RWD + big wide tyres, not what you want/need. Skinny tyre scrabblers do best!

[LordHaveMurci]

iantr said:

Honest answer - no they are not good in snow. RWD + big wide tyres, not what you want/need. Skinny tyre scrabblers do best!

How would RWD be a disadvantage to a 911?
Have used mine on summer tyres but not very much, on winters I'd say they'd be great apart from ground clearance as already mentioned.

[stuckmojo]

I live at the top of a very steep hill and never failed to make it up with summer tyres in snow during the last winter.

I was expecting it to be useless, but in fact it's the best car I had for snow so far.

Huge weight over the driving wheels helps I suppose.

[Stokepotter]

Oh yes, no worries at all as long as you know how to drive in the snow - this was earlier this year -

[BillTheButcher]

I drove mine in the snow earlier this year on summer tyres. No problem at all as long as you're gentle with the throttle inputs. Much better than my old M5 or E55!