Hi,

I purchased a 2008 C4 with 40,000 over the summer. I purposely purchased the 4 hoping it would perform in the snow. Last weekend i tested this out on a back road in Vermont and was impressed - with all weather tires the car holds corners well, as long as you keep the RPMs modestly low.

My question is if it is worth it to use the car on weekend driving trips throughout the winter. From the above Vermont "test" it seems that the car can handle the conditions, but does anyone have experience with the potential higher maintenance costs? Are there any best practices I should employ (like washing the undercarriage after each weekend trip) to minimize wear and tear caused by salt, sand and rocks?

Thanks for any advice.

Dan

 

I run my c4s in the mountains of New York, but with Michelin Pilot Alpin's. It's great to have it out in the snow. The summer tires I have are useless below 37 degrees. I typically pull the wheels twice during the season and wash the carriage and suspension. The sand/salt mix tends to bond the surfaces. Having a floor jack cuts the time down to do a through cleaning. Road debris can occur in any location or season. Vermont tends to use less salt. On trips to the Alps I was happy and inspired by the number of 911's on the road, some with ski racks or smaller boxes. Others may critique your use of the pcar in inclement conditions. I can't see having a 'prize' that rests when things get a bit ugly outside.

 

I would consider a set of dedicated winter tires and wheels to protect your own wheels from the elements, and switching from all season tires to a summer tire for the summer. That maximizes the performance ability of the car year round.

 

Thanks - great ideas