There are a ton of threads on all-season vs. winter vs. summer tires, but most are describing conditions like snow and ice that we see so rarely here in Seattle. Plus when it does snow, I'm in my pickup truck for sure.

Situation is a 2005 Carrera S. What do people run for winter driving, or do you even bother with a tire change out?

 

I swap out my Michelin Pilot Sport Summer tires (8Jx18 front/11Jx18 rear) for Pirelli Winter 240 SnowSports (8Jx18 front/10Jx18 rear) on my Carrera 4S. Tire/wheel sizes and offsets are factory recommended which is more critical because with an AWD system and its a pricey option because two sets of wheels are required but you may be able to get away with using the same wheels with RWD. The SnowSports are fabulous - incredible traction in low temperatures and/or snow - and I hear the newer Sottozeroes are even better. They are not only for snow but also in cold and wet conditions when Summer tires become ineffective (cannot recall exactly at which temp but we do see them through our Winters). Also, when Summer tires don't get up to temperature they also wear faster with little traction. I've been swapping them for past two seasons and just did so for my third - typically running the SnowSports mid-Nov to early-Mar. Its allowing me to get excellent mileage out of both sets, and no snow- or ice-storm has ever left me stranded!

 

I keep my Pzero's on all year. If it snows, my husband drives and the Porsche stays in the garage. Otherwise, the tires handle just fine in Seattle.

I used to swap out winter tires when I had my C4S, but it is a real pain transporting and storing these really big tires! Not worth it in my opinion.

 

I had Yokohama Winter Advans M+S (I think that was the model) in the M3 and they were ok, I'm getting a set of Blizzaks for the MINI on Wednesday since I've read so many goo reviews. Bear in mind that summer tires don't work well below 42 F so even if doesn't snow you won't have much grip.

 

I always put winter tires on my DD. Not worth risking it, ice is the main culprit in Seattle not snow.

On a side not I have a friend selling a set of Tirerack Porsche Replica rims with Michelin Pilot Alpines made for a 997, used less than 1k miles. PM me if you have an interest and I can get you in contact with him.

 

I ran Blizzaks last winter and my car was AMAZING in the snow!!
That said, this year I dont plan to drive in the snow/rain AS MUCH as I had the nose re-painted from all those rock chips and I am afraid to mess it up

 

I run my summer tires all year. Last year was the worst snow we have had since I got to the PNW in 1995. most of the time it will snow, & be gone in a few hours.

Really unless you ski & go through the passes, you will be fine with summer tires, or AS tires.

I took my C4 from Tacoma to Kirkland & back during the snow storm last year, it did just fine. Kirkland didn't even plow the roads.

 

i have a separate set of wheels and pop on Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS

they're more for temperature than snow, per se. if i was going up into the mountains, i'd have blizzaks, but that's what the wife's car is for

 

LOL. I was rocking the stock SC3's last winter and they did just fine in the snow. Though the drivetrain may have had more to do with that than the tires.

This winter I put on the Yoko ADVANS just because I needed a new set, and they will come off next spring for a new tire from Falken.

 

Jeremy, you know you need to post pictures of your car in my driveway when you talk about snow. I still don't know how you made it down my street.

 

Snow tires, we don't need no dedicated snows!

 

If you have R1 compound tires you're going to want to make sure you keep them off the car when it gets too cold. (Or garage the car on those days.)

Beyond that it's hard to justify snow tires out here, we just don't get enough of it. (unless you live closer to the mountains, I don't)

 

This video from Tire Rack may be of interest in this thread.

 

Thanks for all the comments. Although I don't plan on driving in snow, the car could see plenty of cold weather and potentially icy conditions. I went ahead and bit the bullet for a set of Michelin Pilot Alpins that Tirerack had on closeout -- good deal and I'm putting them on dedicated rims for ease of switchout.

I'll post an update later on driving impressions once they arrive. It will be an interesting comparison, especially since the summer set are Pirelli Pzero Rossos, which aren't getting much love in reviews.

 

I run Goodyear F1 All Seasons year round, they worked great in the Snow and ice. I lost count of how many SUV's & 4x4 trucks I saw stuck or in ditches as I was driving by

They are quite good in the summer as well!