spender

Hi - I am soon about to take delivery of my first Porsche, a C4S. I figured that I wanted a 4-wheel drive model given that the weather is "variable" here in Calgary. As it's AWD, I am thinking it should make a great winter driver - but for the ground clearance.

Anyone have experiences in this regard to share? It should be a vast improvement over my boat-like RWD Lexus LS430, but would love to hear what people think. Should I get winters on 17" rims, or 18"?

Thanks!

Overdraft

Yes it will work - 17" is better - 18" works OK and looks cooler. I wouldn't worry too much about ground clearance if you are sensible and watch the weather - plan your day so you don't get caught in one of those nasty western squals...

Rinty

Hi Spender, and welcome.

There is a recent, entertaining, thread on this topic:

https://rennlist.com/forums/rennlist...he-winter.html

This will depend on what neighbourhood you're in. My Subaru Legacy has very little clearance, and I have never had a problem, but we're in the inner city, and our neighbourhood get ploughed out quickly, after the big storms. You'll recall that after last winter's super storm, some of the suburbs didn't get ploughed out for a week, and not too many vehicles were getting out.

Also, you can do an advanced search under "winter tires", restricted to the 996 section, for tire opinions. Integra Tire, next door to South Centre, do a lot of installs on Porsches, and can probably give you some recommendations.

pongobaz

Ah yes, that thread......good times.

Rinty

Yes, that one was fun.

And I've edited the post.

Zookie

17's dont work on Big Red's...

spender

I'm pretty sure this is going to be a blast, I am sure that driving a Porsche in any weather is amazing!

Thanks for the advice!

So should I get 17"s or 18"s? I'm hearing people say that Blizzaks are the choice, but I've had Dunlop M3s on my Lexus for 3 Alberta winters, and they work like a hot damn.

Zookie

Chris, 17" Wheels wont clear the Big Brakes on the C4S...

spender

Ah - that's what you meant about the "big reds" - thanks for the heads up, I'll look for some 18s. Know of any for sale?

spender

LOL! That is one ridiculous thread.

My C4S in winter will be just fine:

1. It has AWD;
2. It has advanced tranction and skid control;
3. It has ABS on what are seen as some of the best brakes in the world;
4. Why would they have put heated seats in this if it wasn't meant to be driven in winter?
5. Life's too short to drive bad/lame cars just because you're afraid of a little snow;
6. Cars aren't "investments" - I've seen lots of Porsches in my quest to purchase, and if it's not snow - it's something else - sea air, sand from the desert (Vegas and Phoenix Porsches), etc.;
7. If I was able to get around in my Lexus just fine, what should be different about driving a Porsche;
8. Germany, especially the Alpine regions, gets quite a bit of snow as well;
9. One of the early ads I saw for the 996 C4 / C46 is a driver in the snow;
and finally...
10. Why the *&*!$% not? I sure as &*&(*&@$#@$ am not going to drive a Subaru just because there's some white stuff on the ground!

ronnie993tt

I grew up in Calgary and it ain't the snow that will be the problem....it's the bloody cold!

Rinty

Ah, but Porsches are good cold weather starters.

vipola

I like that one.. :P

seanmcr6

I'm in Fort Mac....so I'd trade for Calgary cold ANY DAY...

spender

OK, what snow tires do people recommend, specifically for Canadian snow??