Hi Guys,

So I went back and fourth between an AM Vantage GT and a 991 S.

In the end, ended up buying a 991 S Aero Cup kit in White with a 7mt. Flying to the dealer in Toronto to pick it up tomorrow AM and drive it home to Montreal. My dealer here didn't have any manuals or Aeros. I haven't even seen the car in the flesh yet, but I am excited!

I am writing today for a bit of help in the winter tire department:
the car comes on the 20" carrera s rims, with the anthracite painted finish.

I live in Montreal, so winter is "real" and I would like to run the car this winter since I just bought it. On the really bad days, I have a spare car.

I wanted to use the stock rims this winter but 20s seem huge for winter, especially with 295s in the back. However, from what I read the 20s are fine and its not worth buying a new set of rims to just drop to 19"...

But I have a few questions that I would really appreciate some help with:

1) My dealer recommended these:Michelin 245/35R20 PILOT ALPIN PA4 GREEN 91 TL N0 at $388.00 each and 295/30R20 PILOT ALPIN PA4 GREEN 91 TL N0 $460.00 each. Thoughts? I hated my Sottozeros, so I prefer these, but can I go narrower in the back?

2) I would like to go studded if possible and was told to do this, I have driven german RWD cars in the winter before, they are far from the best here. But never a 911 in the winter. Are there any good studded options? I don't know much about this stuff....

3) The car has the painted anthracite finish on the wheels, I would like to preserve this and was wondering how the finish will hold up in the winter with salt and road grime. Is it fragile and will it chip up, would you recommend that I just buy a new set of rims (after shelling out all this cash for the new car this week, I would love to avoid another 2500$ on rims, if possible). The dealer told me there is this spray that protects them that peels off - any ideas, recommendations, etc?


That's it for now, and I will gladly post pics of it when I pick it up tomorrow if it's of interest to you guys!

Thanks for any help

Nick

 

The dealer pricing looks not to bad (my dealer wanted about 1900 for tires) Does that price include mounting and balancing? I got mine mounted and balanced and installed for 1600 plus taxes ( different car dealer). I will be running mine in the winter also, I have a C4S so that will help. Have had tires on for two weeks, no snow yet but they seam good so far. I'm running 20 inch S painted black wheels for winter. Going to get some nice summer wheels. My black wheels do have a number of stone chips in paint on front face of spokes, back face of spokes is staying good. Main reason for making them my winters as they are a little beat up already.


FYI I'm in Winnipeg.

 

I run the Alpins on my C4S and LOVE them! You can't go wrong. Not sure if going narrower in the rear is worth it? Are you considering doing so to save $$? I would think that the aggressive tread pattern on the Aplins is well-matched to the width of the rear wheels. Going narrower makes sense in the deeper snow, with a smaller diameter wheel. Me, I stuck with recommended sizing to avoid any handling differences on dry pavement.

I've only run studded tires on domestic cars, and many years ago. There are probably others on this board with experience more relevant to running studs on the 991. My opinion would be that if the conditions are extreme enough where studs are necessary, then you should probably be driving your spare car....

Depends on the conditions, the types of remediation the road crews are using in your area, etc. But it always good idea to have the wheels coated with a protective layer, whether it be wax, opti-coats, or perhaps even plastidip spraying. The former options have limited, varying lengths of protection duration when faced with salt, road dirt, etc. The latter, which is plastidip spray, is great option that will definitely last longer, and yes, can be peeled-off whenever you want. You can even spray the wheels different color, or just go with clear. Google plastidip your car, and you will find thousands of uses for this stuff - it is cheap and sure beats the cost of refinishing a wheel!

Good luck, and please post pics of your new ride as soon as you can! Sounds like a very nice car!

 

I just completed my winter setup....Michelin Alpins on Carrera Platinum Satin wheels. They're going on this weekend.

 

I'm in Vancouver and the quoted dealer pricing was pretty good for me, better than the posted price online. Plus they'll store them for free. I'm getting the 20" Carrera S wheels and whatever the tires the dealer recommended was.

We don't get as much snow here compared to you guys, but I hear the potholes are crazy in Montreal. You might want to get the 19" wheels for the extra rubber protection and save your 20" Carrera S wheels for the summer. Would be pretty bad to crack your wheels on a pothole.

Richard

 

The Pilot Alpins are a great winter tire. I ran them last year through the worst winter ever in NYC (or so it seemed) and they did really well. Stick with 295s in the back, you'll be okay.

 

Congrats Nick... I think I recognize your username from M3post assuming you're the same guy. I'd echo the rest and go with the Pilot Alpins, planning to do the same on my 991 GTS next winter.

Also I'm pretty sure I know what car you're getting, is it the almost brand new CPO 2013 from Downtown Porsche? I had my eye on it for a while and looks like based on the last price update you got a killer deal if its the same car.

Either way def post up pics when you get it!

 

You're allowed to drive studded tires on city streets on Montreal??? That's illegal in Ontario.

 

I went with Victor Equipment 19" Zehns
Nokian winter tires
Fantastic in Snow!

 

I'm in Vancouver and the quoted dealer pricing was pretty good for me