3 to 5 years is nothing. Think more than 10 years.

 

There are a lot of factors involved, I have had lower suspension control arm bolts seized completely in under 5 years to the point the shop could not loosen them with high power impact wrench and torch, they eventually had to saw the bolts off with Sawz-All.

I still have the mental image in my head to this day of the small statued technician leaning all his 115 lbs weight into the Sawz-All while cutting the bolts off and his whole upper body was a blur from the vibration transmitting through him!

 

Can it be done, absolutely? If fact with snow tires they drive really well. That said I’m originally from MN and know first-hand what salt and sand on the road does to a vehicle, especially one as low as a 911. Mine will never be driven in the winter and I would not buy one that has been driven daily in the winter. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

I drive my 2010 Turbo in winter daily - down to -38 C even this year.

I have Hakka 7's this year and they are awesome winter rubber!

Previously I was driving Pirelli SnowSports, but the Hakka's are untouchable for winter. Next winter tires will be Hakka 7's studded.

Strange year, we haven't had tons of snow this year, (Saskatchewan) but the car handles beautifully on ice and snow - I have more fun driving 911's in snow actually. The speeds are slower and you have have a lot of fun drifting around the neighbourhood corners when nobody is around.

My previous 911 is a 1999 C4, and I would often turn off the PSM, but with the 2010 Turbo, the PSM is so much better, I leave it on most times unless I wanna spin around.

The spoiler is a bit of an issue if you get more than 5 inches of snow, but it hasn't been an issue. The biggest issue is filling the wheels with snow - if this happens you should not stop the car - you should head in and clear the snow because when it ices up, you could almost immobilize your car. Probably most people do not know this, but it's actually a problem I have experienced a few times with fresh snow fall. The snow packs in the wheels and if it ices up, you can have a big problem.

I would highly recommend driving your Turbo in winter.

 

You can debate this all day long. I've driven mine in the winter when I got in a pinch. I don't make a habit of it because of the salt but it's definitely a ton of fun. I just wished Michigan didn't use salt!

 

Our TT's were designed to be driven every day of the year including the winter. Porsche even has winter driving schools in the snow ! For those who say don't drive her in the winter I just don't get it. I have my car washed approximately once per week and am 100% certain that salt gets washed off the vehicle and is a non-issue. IMHO there are really just 2 issues - 1. those who are skittish and just simply don't want to learn how to drive their TT's on a snowy road and 2. the low front air dam on the TT will prevent forward movement when the snow gets too deep (someone said 5" which sounds about right). I'm not saying that our TT's should replace your hardcore SUV and obviously if its snowing outside and is expected to be bad you shouldn't be on the road with any vehicle if it isn't safe. However, snow isn't something that you should be scared of particularly if it stopped snowing and your just driving on snow packed/icy roads.

 

I say drive it. Drive it like you stole it!
Why let it sit while you could be enjoying it.
Don't keep it nice and clean for the next guy!
That just my 2cents

 

Opinions galore, eh. I have some as well.

I have driven the C4S (c. 2007) with OEM tires in 1/4 inch of snow. Not a good combo. I was just surprised by the lack of weather report one day and had to drive the car home from work. Drove like crap even at 25 mph. Good thing it was only 8 miles. Barely made it home.

I've driven 911s year 'round in all weather conditions when I could only afford one car. Snows on the back of a 2WD car and knowing how to drive make the car OK in winter if the roads are plowed, or just a bit of snow. These cars tend to plow in fresh snow that is more than 3-4 inches in depth.

Last couple years, here in CT-land, the state has gone to use some "liquid salt" product that works really well on ice and snow. But, it is severely corrosive! I use a similar solid product on my 1/4 mile driveway. Works well. But, corrosive as hell !

I had a new Ford truck and the 1st year winter, the wheels and running boards were pitted with the liquid salt crap we spray on the roads here. Plus, this stuff is slippery even in the dry once it's applied.

I do drive my '09 Turbo daily if the roads are clear and pretty dry. But, if there is new liquid salt or 'regular' salt spread ... like today ... I drive something else. Even tho I 'rent' my car ... I'm not nuts enough to drive it in the salt. No amount of washing thru some sort of car wash will remove the salt from the nooks and crannies from the under carriage of the car. And, I suspect that corrosion will occur.

JMFO

 

I drive mine every day including our Canadian winters and with high mileage I still haven't had any problems. That said I have most of my car covered with 3M, have my trusty detailer (Refine rocks) take care of it. And I have them power wash under the car a few times during the winter to get out some of the gunk that gets stuck in strange places. That said you will want to keep an eye on brackets and things during maintenance and your mechanics may have a bit of a fight getting somethings lose).

Drive it, drive it, drive it, enjoy! Of course, a serious set of snow tires is essential and the type depends on your part of the world.

K.

 

It's your car so you can Di what you want. But if you don't have to why do it. If you are going to keep your car long term it won't matter but if you want to sell it I know I would not want a P-car that was driven in the snow and salt. I'm sure the car can handle the weather it's more about keeping it looking it's best that the question.
JS

 

I see some people thinking that a TT daily driver might not be able to afford a 2nd car and that is why the TT is driven daily including in inclement winter. That perception in my experience is completely erroneous. I candidly do not know one TT owner, whether a 25 yo slantnose cab. owner or a new TTS owner, that does not own multiple vehicles. Believe it or not there are people out there who actually don't need to drive an SUV in the winter to feel safe and there are TT owners who treat their steeds like every other depreciable asset by using it to the fullest year round. To those who store their TT's in the winter and keep their cars garage queens I feel really sad for you because you are missing out on a fun ride. There are those who also said a 458 was not meant to be driven daily, but the people in Maranello designed the 458 with an "ice" function switch. Why is that ? The TT was not designed like my GL450, X3 or Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon to trudge through heavy snow storms. However, just because you have some packed snow and ice on the ground does not mean that you need to drive some pig SUV all winter. Wash your car once per week and your baby will be aces. My 2 cents from the trenches.

 

Salt can (and will) corrode your suspension arms, mono *****, joints etc and even destroy shocks. More like 6 months and not 5 years as people say here. Talking of live experience of myself and a friend of mine on last 2 generations of 911 turbos. Have plenty of pictures to prove it. The issue is that a lot of people don't realise it as it is not really visible unless you take out the floor undertray and look.
Now i don't know if a pressure hose wash under the car every 10 days or so can cure the above. Best not do it if you can. But if you must then make sure you thoroughly clean every couple of weeks all areas under the car.

Sorry guys but as I have suffered and learned to live the tale I feel inclined to issue a warning about this (and yes german cars are also not immune to salt!)

 

JS,
You raise a good question. But with all my mileage, two good professional detail cleanings a year, a couple of under carriage washes, and the 3m (you have to care for the 3M and replace it after a few years) my car, so I'm told by many, looks almost new. You just have to put a few $ and time into it's care and it keeps it's good looks and reliability. It' s a Porsche!
I have another car to drive but I rarely do - just love drivin' the TT.
My 2 cents.
K

 

Thanks. I think it's fair to think that driving it with winter road conditions will cause some (maybe significant) wear and tear. I'm ok with this, but others may not be. Any chance you could post some of the photos you mention with a brief description? It would be very helpful.
Take care.
K

 

I ll try to find them (long gone and happily forgotten!) and post if I do. One car suffered the above with just 1 day's driving int he snow in london and the other was in switzerland.
Both were not washed under as I suggest above and garaged for some time without moving them.
If i ever decide to do this again then I will make sure i get it pressure washed every week or 2, and still be worried after my experience.