Wheels and tyres for a set of snow shoes
Discussion
It's a bit late for this season, but next season I hope to take my 996 down to the ski fields. It should save all the messing around with planes, trains, hire cars and ski buses. However, I don't think that 18" allows on Pirelli P-Zeros are likely to make for the best driving 
The plan is to have a second set of shoes that are just for winter use. So, what would you recommend? I presume that 17" wheels would be better. I'll need a snow capable tyre that's also up to transporting me down the autoroutes without trouble.
The plan is to have a second set of shoes that are just for winter use. So, what would you recommend? I presume that 17" wheels would be better. I'll need a snow capable tyre that's also up to transporting me down the autoroutes without trouble.
I'll be interested in people replies to this too.
Just hired a Passat from Geneva with snow tyres and what a revelation, serious grip on ice and snow - also good for 120 kmh on the road too.
Not sure if snow tyres come in Porsche sizes...
>> Edited by cyrus1971 on Friday 3rd February 11:47
Just hired a Passat from Geneva with snow tyres and what a revelation, serious grip on ice and snow - also good for 120 kmh on the road too.
Not sure if snow tyres come in Porsche sizes...
>> Edited by cyrus1971 on Friday 3rd February 11:47
I drove to Verbier new year 2005 in my 993, with Pirelli Snowsport winter tyres on the standard 17" rims. On packed ice and snow, the thing was still utterly lethal. Normal snow and cold wet roads, they are fantastic (they are awesome here in the UK at the moment, I've got full grip at low road temps whereas summer tyres won't be working properly below 6 deg C).
The cars in Switzerland that flew past me as I was getting in their way were running *much* narrower rims with chains. One in particular was a up-boosted Scooby (dump valves very noticeable) with what looked like 2CV width wheels, and chains.
The winter tyres on my Porker work very well but the width at the rear is the problem... whatever the tyre, you're going to get serious aquaplaning (snowplaning?) on icy surfaces with 255+ section rears.
If you're buying a new set of rims anyway purely to suit, Porsche recommend a narrower rim for winter use (should be in the handbook). I'd go as narrow as is safe, leave some arch clearance and take some chains as well. I got caught out by simply bad weather (sheet ice on the road all the way from Reims to Switzerland, lorries on their sides at the side of the autoroute, etc.) but it's best to be prepared.
If you don't go too mad on super-narrow ice tyres then they are perfect for British winters. I've been very impressed with the performance of the Pirellis (yes they are the standard size as my summer tyres, 993 17" wheels) so they are available.
Definitely worth doing though, just get the car cleaned really thoroughly when you get back to remove salt etc. or you'll get corrosion on the valance supports (on a 993 anyway
)
The cars in Switzerland that flew past me as I was getting in their way were running *much* narrower rims with chains. One in particular was a up-boosted Scooby (dump valves very noticeable) with what looked like 2CV width wheels, and chains.
The winter tyres on my Porker work very well but the width at the rear is the problem... whatever the tyre, you're going to get serious aquaplaning (snowplaning?) on icy surfaces with 255+ section rears.
If you're buying a new set of rims anyway purely to suit, Porsche recommend a narrower rim for winter use (should be in the handbook). I'd go as narrow as is safe, leave some arch clearance and take some chains as well. I got caught out by simply bad weather (sheet ice on the road all the way from Reims to Switzerland, lorries on their sides at the side of the autoroute, etc.) but it's best to be prepared.
If you don't go too mad on super-narrow ice tyres then they are perfect for British winters. I've been very impressed with the performance of the Pirellis (yes they are the standard size as my summer tyres, 993 17" wheels) so they are available.
Definitely worth doing though, just get the car cleaned really thoroughly when you get back to remove salt etc. or you'll get corrosion on the valance supports (on a 993 anyway
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