This is true. I just received the Michelin Alpins in 295/30/R20's (rear) this morning from Tire Rack. The 245/30/R20's for the front are the same size as the summer stock tires.

 

I'm going to get the Michelin Alpin PA4.

I had no issues with tire damage on my 997 or my Boxster prior to that. Just go to a reputable place or get the rubber switched at the dealership if you want piece of mind.

 

In the south, I would say sure thing, summer all year around, be careful on the snow (been there done that, not the safest, but do-able) but in MO... Better have a set of winters.

 

I thought to share my personal experience with you.

I picked up my 991S at the end of November last year.

When it started to get cold (almost immediately...) I thought about putting Winter tires on the OEM wheels. Many people told me that continuing to switch may in the end damage the wheel.

I did not want to buy another set of wheels because I was (as I still am) in love with the Carrera Wheels, neither I wanted an additional set of the same wheels.

In the end I drove all winter from Long Island to NYC with Summer tires. I only did not drive for 7 days roughly, when it was snowing (took the SUV).

Now, was it fun? not really. You can feel that the tires turn to 'plastic' and the grip is kind of gone....But i survived.

The only situation I panicked was when there was 300ft of ice at the entrance to the Midtown Tunnel. The 911 went all over the place, and then I remembered what a friend told me ("The car can do much better than you in recovering posture") and it did. It would have done the same with Winter tires, since it was ice, I have been told....

This year I meant to buy a set of wheels, put winter tires on them....But I am not sure I will. I have two Audis that are Quattro, so I may just skip the nuisance, the need for additional room and ultimately driving it in conditions that it wasn't really built for....

Hope this helps. So, the bottom line is, it can be done, but it takes much fun out of the driving. I think the biggest problem with any sports car is actually hydroplaning, especially on the horrible NY highways....No solution for that

 

I "got through" last winter on the summer Pirellis. I did not drive the 991 in wet or snow conditions at all, used due caution when the temps were under 40 and did not use the car for highway trips. Cornering and stopping (really critical for avoiding bad surprises)) performance fall off fast as temps near freezing, but its not like the car flips at every corner, as some think happens if one uses non N rated tires.

If I had to or wanted to use the 991 for more general use I would for sure get a winter set. I have retired from tracking and autocrossing, and if I could get AS3s that fit I would put them on in a sec. I replaced PS2s with AS2s on my Infiniti and can think of no reason to put summer tires back on that car.

 

Sottozero II mounted on 19 inch wheels replaces my 20" summer wheels.

 

How were they noise / comfort compared to the stock P tire?

I am about to purchase winter tires and am debating which ones to buy