I like driving the cars I own and I am considering driving my new Carrera through the year. Obviously I would put dedicated snow tires on some 17" rims. Anyone out there that can give me there experience first hand? Thanks

 

LOL

 

NO

 

The C4 996 is probably one of the best cars with the ability to handle snow conditions. However, considering you live in Ohio (I live in Michigan), its not the snow you should worry about, its the salt. In Germany, they don't lay down a blanket of salt, neither do they in Colorado (they use sand I believe), only in the F'ing Midwest do they do this. Anyway - If I were you, get yourself a nice 4x4 for winter. Its great. Another problem with the 996 in winter will be that it will act like a snow plow since it is so low to the ground. Not really worth the hassle.

 

Do it!

Some of my best moments with my C4 have been on snow. I´m like you and prefer to USE my cars rather than look at them in the garage. A modern Porsche will stand up to winter use, no problems.

The Carrera 4 is outstanding on snow but a C2 with PSM is a good alternative. The C2 has more drive than most cars, and the computer will take good care of you while you get used to the caracteristics of the car.

The PSM (Porsche Stability Management system) is well calibrated and - with gentle hands - you can slide the car quite a bit without interference. Brutal or abrubt inputs from the driver will have the system cut in earlier.


1. Get real winter tires, downsize if possible. I run 205/50-17 on 7x17-inch fronts and 225/45-17 on 8,5x17 inch rims in the back.

2. Wash the car often. Be nice and warm-up properly before letting loose.

3. Beware of snow/ice walls. I have ROW 030 + additional lowering and manage fine, as long as I keep an eye out!

4. Slow in - fast out, as allways!

5. PSM can be turned off, with good effect. Practice and learn!

(In summer, I´m happy to track the car with the system activated but active driving on snow often generates slip-angles that the computer tend interpret as "problems" - and it interferes. This is fine during normal driving, but needs to taken into account when/if you are driving faster on snow/ice.)

 

I agree and do drive my C2 with snow 18" snow tires. However while the PSM rarely goes on in this setup it can. The problem for you is you do not have PSM, but Traction control with an LSD. This is a good setup, but not as good as PSM in the snow. With that setup you won't get stuck, but you may have difficulty with regaining control if you lose it. PSM seems to be a good balance, not as good as the LSD/TC combo in the snow for traction, but well worth it when the computer starts braking the individual wheels to correct the attitude of the car moving in a different direction than the steering wheel.

Never and I mean never drive your car with summer tires under 45' F.

and wash the car and underbody off often from the road salt. You don't necessarly need a sponge and soap. Just some high pressure water everywhere.

 

I have driven my 99 C4 through one Calgary winter so far. I actually kept my stock 18" rims and outfitted them with a good set of winter tires and it handled comparably to my 98 Audi A4 with quattro. Like others have mentioned the only downside to driving IMO is the salt/rock chips you car can expect to take from driving in the winter. I have just recently prepped my 996 for its second winter and it is ready to go. However, I still keep a second vehicle for those "REAL" winter days when its 30 below and there is a foot and a half of snow or fresh gravel/salt has been poured onto the road. That way you can enjoy your porsche year-round yet still keep it in tiptop condition. Good Luck!