Ok so I know it's now March and summer is looming (??) but I want to invest in a set of winter tyres for my 2004 996 C4S.
I've got 18in wheels with 295/30/18 on the rear and 225/40/18 on the front and was looking to get a spare set of wheels plus tyres.
I'd heard that you should reduce the wheel size width and tyres accordingly?

I commute daily all year round (100 mile round trip) and have survived so far on one set but would like a little extra grip in the winter.

Any one got any examples or pointers.

 

Your best bet is to contact Damon at Tire Rack and talk with him.

 

Not sure of the fit on a 911 but I've been happy with Blizzaks on my Mercedes E550 Coupe.

 

I also have a 04 C4S. For winter, Porsche recommends dropping rear wheels to 10x18 and tires to 265/35/18. Front wheels and tires are same for summer and winter. Unfortunately, no tire manufacturer makes a winter tire in size 295/30/18 so you have to drop down. I have Blizzaks and they work fine.
I agree Damon is a good source at Tirerack. However, when I purchased the my car I purchased winter wheels and tires from Tirerack. For the C4S, they recommend the Sport Cup wheel. I was very disappointed in the quality, looks and fit of the wheels when they arrived and have since replaced them with used OEM wheels. The Sport Cup wheels are inexpensive and, as the saying goes, you pay for what you get.

 

I also drop down to a 10x18 wheel and a 265/35/18 rear tire. I run Porsche OE 17mm spacers with the rear wheels to eliminate the sunken look of the narrower wheel and tire.

I have used Blizzaks before and I am now using Pirelli Winter SnowSports. The Blizzaks were better in snow, the Pirellis are better on cold, dry pavement.

 

I've got a set of cheap wheels (18x8, 18x10) and Michelin Pilot Alpin's on my wife's 996 and they do pretty well (though we didn't drive her car in much bad weather). I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the dedicated snow tires. I've got a really cheap set of Firestone Winterforce tires (235/75/15) on my tow vehicle and General snow tires on my Miata and both of those cars do great.

 

I have V12 Kanooks summer tires all round on 18 inch wheels and they are treacherous in the slightest of snow fall. The rear of the car wants to go first under the slightest of acceleration on the slightest of curved road. In the dry, they are just fine. I lost mine and kissed a barrier which caused $4,500 worth of damage only 6 weeks ago. I was travelling ridiculously slow when this happened so that is the last time that MY car will ever see a snowy road. I pity anyone who has to drive to work in a 996 using summer tires. You are simply an accident just waiting to happen IMHO.

 

That's too bad to hear. Summer tires really are disastrous when attempting to drive in any cold weather.

Running a 10" wide back wheel and a 265 tire will really improve traction. Depending on the offset of the wheels they may be sunk into the wells a bit. some like that to keep the snow contained in the wheel wells. Adding spacers is always an option if you would like them to come out to the edge of the fenders. If you would like to stay with just tires on your stock wheels, the 225/275 Blizzak option is a good one. Please call me if I can help. Thanks.

 

Buy what you want, but my driveway has a 25 degree incline and I have had no problems with good winter specific tires.
Remember P-cars have weight over the rear.

 

Thanks to TIRERACK for your response. I have done great on summer tires over the last 3 years, UNTIL I took it out actually in the snow. The gritter truck did not get chance to do that part of the road where I lost the car. There was only a dusting of snow down at the time. I was caught out, as snow was not expected on the day in question. I am retired and do not NEED to drive every day. If I did in the future, I would most certainly put winter tires on the car. Thanks also for the advice on the spacers. If I DO put spacers on the rear wheels, would I need to alter the presant track or toeing on the vehicle?