that is what I heard.








you will be fine with a 20 inch snow tire.

 

Isn't that snow in the background of your avatar?

 

I don't think that "driving in snow" is the issue (especially with a C4 and snow tires). I think that the issue is "driving in deep snow". You're going to be plowing the road in anything more than a 3-4" snowfall. So for me in New England, that means I need a second, winter car for those days. And if I've got a winter car anyway, why take the chance driving the Pcar as well?

 

Every time I see a post like this, I cringe. Really?

OP- If what you really want to know are handling and care of a 991 in the wet and slippery stuff, I've posted my comments from "real" experience below:

First off -- if you are at all fanatic about babying your Porsche, cringe at the thought of a raindrop sitting on the hood, or road dirt building-up in the wheel-wells -- don't buy one or don't drive it in bad weather. Leave it in the garage.

And, if the 991 has to be your DD, then buy something else. For some, driving in even a mist of water will give them nightmares. Snow? Salt? OMG, the car will surely lose all $$ value and become a rusted heap overnight! What will people think???

But if you are ok with the car being "dirty" on the occasion, maybe even for a few days and even a week or two in the coldest months, then the 991 can be a very capable, enjoyable car at any time of the year. The 991, and especially the C4 variants, is very suitable for snow and other bad weather driving -- keeping in mind that even the most purpose-built automobiles still have to obey the laws of physics! Just search for 991 / 911 / Porsche winter driving school and you'll get an idea....

I run my 991 C4S with Mich Alpin snows on OEM 20" wheels during the winter months, or pretty much the period of year here in the NE when temps are steadily 40 degrees and colder (why 40 degrees? search this forum for many discussions of OEM / stock tire "issues" at this temp margin). The snows are superb, and combined with all-wheel drive the car is simply outstanding in most conditions. I even had my car out in the snow doing donuts and testing the limits of adhesion / traction, etc. without a single worry. I was very happy with how the car handled! If you don't opt for the 4, you should know that the C2 will have similar issues to ANY rear-wheel drive car with 20" low-profile tires! But, the great news is that similar to the reasons a front-wheel drive car handles ok in the snow & ice, a 991 rear-wheel drive car has similar advantage over front-engine-rear-drive cars -- all of engine weight is over the drive wheels!

As for caring for the car -- I am a fanatic about keeping my car spotless as much as many on this board, but I certainly drive my 991 every chance I get, no matter what the weather. Really, the worst of my worries are the road conditions and potholes. My 4S doesn't have any issues with slippery road conditions, even if I do drive a bit aggressively. But Oy Vey! The crap on the roads! Around my parts they treat the roads all winter with salt brine, and on top of that each time it snows they put dirt, some kind of crushed-rock aggregate everywhere (tiny black pebbles that never dissolve!) so that when the snow is gone, you are left with literally piles of the rock stuff all around the road edges. And note that the 991 has some great shielding panels covering most of the under-body, except in the rear. When I drive over anything like dirt or pebbles, the sound is atrocious! It gives me the chills just thinking about it! But I had my car up on a lift recently, and was amazed at just how clean the underside of the car is after a long winter!

The other thing that I do recommend is applying xpel or other clear-bra type paint protection film, to at least the whole front-end of your car. I've found that the protection is well worth the cost in a DD car scenario!

Have fun!

 

I live in Milwaukee and drive it all winter. It is fantastic. Even rear wheel drive. I even raced it on the ice (there are videos out there of me doing it). If you baby it, you are missing the point.

I use the factory 20" with snow tires. People from Milwaukee like doing it sideways in the snow.

Marc

 

Anyone have experience comparing a Cayman to a 991 in snowy conditions? Does the 991 handle better? Not talking AWD.

 

I have a C4S, drive it all year round. I have OEM 20s and I put Michelins on them, amazing tire. Car never got stuck once last year and we had a horrible winter. Did better in the snow then my E90 M3.

Im a firm believe in not storing cars and driving them.

Also, I don't wash my cars often in the winter, as you can do more damage. If you are going to drive it year round, get a clear bra.

 

With the right tires the 911's are quite capable winter cars. There are N rated winter tires available. Please call me, I'm happy to help.

 

I drive my C2 year round in Cleveland. No problems in winter. Better than my old E90 M3. No one has mentioned the rear wiper. I ordered mine with the rear wiper which I think is really handy for daily driving in rain/snow.

 

I've always driven all my Porsches in the harsh winters ...






















































.... of Southern California.

 

Do the same here in Nor Cal where we see a bit more...rain. Gotta love the California weather. I'm not sure I could bring myself to driving the car in the snow but from all I've heard it is very capable.

 

I'm originally from Ohio so I know what harsh winters are really like. And I probably wouldn't drive my 911 while there's snow on the ground or salt on the roads. Glad I moved to CA.

 

I have driven my 991 C2 for two winters in PA as my only car. Only had one day when I could not climb a steep hill to my house before the plow came through. I use Pirelli winter tires on 19"wheels purchased as a package from the Tire Rack.


Use of winter tires keeps miles off my OE high performance Pirelli summer tires mounted on 20" S wheels. In addition to their poor snow performance, the summer tires become rock hard with poor dry road performance at low winter temperatures. GM recently sent a warning to their dealers that even very limited driving below 20 degrees F could damage high performance summer tires and lead to later catastrophic failure.


Planning to add a Subaru Forester soon for deep snow use and travel on rutted roads on PA state game lands while hunting. I used a 944S on game land roads while deer hunting years ago, but am now older and wiser.

 

Sure no problem

 

Me too, when the roads are clear. I do it and also did it for my 997. The mechanics at my local dealership told me that it is better for the vehicle than storing it.