The reality is that you should have a second car to drive in the colder and winter months. I park the car as soon as temps start to drop below 40 and bring it back out in the spring. It's fun to look at pics of Porsches in the snow but the car is very low to the ground and a big enough snowfall and forget it. Not to mention the Salt you get on NY roads and the potholes! Better buy wheel & tire insurance! Worst of all are all the other bad drivers with their SUV's that think they can plow through the snow and usually cause the accidents. Speaking for myself, I am too OCD with my car to drive it in the winter/snow. My car doesn't even see rain. Thats just me. Maybe I would feel different if it was a lease and I could give the car back in 2 years but I bought this one and I want it to last. Good luck with your decision.

 

I also drive mine in the winter

 

thank you to those who took the time to offer advice or suggestions.

kinda shattered . got as close to the dream as possible. and in the final hour got knocked down over tires . i had a similar problem with my 535 and the runflats. but that was easily solved with replacing the tires with conventionals, a mini comp. and a sealant kit. this solution is not as easy or something im willing to tolerate. as they say, everything happens for a reason.

i been scouting some m.b. sl 500 . its a differant animal, a heavier car ,and at 450 hp 8 cyl , more power then i seek or need . the sl 400 might be a better fit, but its a new model and no availability under c.p.o. i like the sl pano hard top convertible, and the all season tires. when i find the right one, a test drive will decide if it will be the consolation prize.

if not il be back at bmw and probably special order a 435 convertible. its 300 hp is enough for me. i already test drove it and liked the handling and performance, along with the steel drop top, x drive and all seasons. the 4 year included maintenance is another plus.

 

You're seriously not going to buy the car because you can't run all seasons?

:|

 

I can't believe you northern guys have to put your cars away in the winter. That really sucks.

 

Who said you have to put it away? All it takes is a set of winter tires...

 

This semi-northern guy will be running a 13 C4 on winter tires as long as the road snow is less than 6 inches.

 

I just saw this thread and found this (FWIW):

http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/bens-b...tires-for-rain

Apparently summer tires work well in the rain (which I did not know). For those living in rainy areas with minimal snow, I guess there's no need for winter tires.

 

what would happen if i run summers at non highway speeds . dry surface with colder temps but at max speed of say 30 mph? anyone in the northeast run summers in the year round? or is it a recipe for disaster, im retired only do 4,000 miles a year. i dont have to drive ,if conditions are hazardous. im looking for an out. i dont wanns do snows or take it off the road.

 

If you can refrain from driving when weather is an issue, and keep it slow when you do take the car out, then you might be OK. But, that might be harder than you think as it defeats the purpose of having a high performance car.


Having 2 sets of wheels and tires is not that big a deal, and allow you to change them yourself vs having to take them somewhere to get it done. I make the change on my S4 twice a year and it's not a big deal. When winter comes, my GTS will only come out of the garage to get some exercise on the best days, so it won't need winter tires.

 

I went through the first 2 winters with mine on the factory Pirelli's and as long as there wasn't snowy roads I was ok ... The thing I didn't like was you can't drive it with a ton of enthusiasm .. In other words you can't rev out first and second to the higher rev range, you can't 'handle' an off ramp with confidence, etc because you will lose grip, those summer tires really become very hard in the colder temps.

With my rear wheel drive cars I always looked for a all season tire as a second set for winter because I thought winter tires would be too mushy and would give up too much performance.

Boy was I WRONG !! I picked up a set of 20" factory wheels with Michelin alpine snow tires for winter #3 and was amazed on how incredible they felt, no mushiness, tons of grip in the colder temps and I really enjoyed my car in the colder weather .... I can't believe I avoided winter tires all of these years.

Btw the winters do turn to a mushy feeling when Spring hits so they aren't good for all year round either.

 

Have the same winter tires and they make my 13 C4 a daily driver all year round!

 

tire rack has all season michelins in 18 inch boxster specs.
but nothing for 19 or 20 boxster or boxster s

maybe i will test drive a base boxster.
mini me might be better then no me.

id like to experience that mid engine handling.
cars stance looks like it sticks to the road.

not sure if id go with it.
but if i do i will also save a bit of green.

 

You're nearly speaking in haiku.

 

yes sir you are correct, and very few would recognize that .
i have to admit i would not have recognized it myself had it not been for the fact it was recently a question on jeopardy . perhaps you were viewing the same episode.

traditional haiku consists of three lines, and rather then speaking i was typing.
despite that, much like myself,you have a brilliant mind. good day sir.