heinrich

Andrew that was what I had in mind!

sharkmeister85

So Heinrich, all this research on winter tires.....planning on taking one of your sharks to the ski hill this year?
Glenn

heinrich

As a matter of fact Glenn yes. And I was considering just swapping to winters anyway every winter, because I plan on getting to the passes a lot more often. I have other vehicles but why would I not drive a Porsche ... Europeans do

Big Dave

Replied!


BTW...here's a pic if anyone else is curious...

Medalist Winter Kings. I hadn't heard of the brand before, but I saw that they were on Transport Canada's list of tires approved for "severe snow conditions".

They worked well for me for the few months I had them on the car last winter.

heinrich

Wow. I found Blizzaks 205/65/16 for 90 bucks a piece ... hmmmm ...

sharkmeister85

I drive mine all year round here, but because we usually only have a few days out of the year with snow on the roads, it never seemed worthwhile to buy winters. I choose to park it on those days. I've had a few close calls trying to make it home as the snow starts to fly. Amazing all the "hills" you discover on the route you drive everyday when you only have summers on. Driving in the snow (with proper tires) isn't a problem for me, having grown up in areas that get considerable amounts. Here the real threat lies with those drivers who have no such experience, other than the few days a year when we do get some. I could control my 928 easy enough, but there's no way to control "lesser" drivers. That's why I would not drive a Porsche "here" in the snow.
Glenn

heinrich

It's interesting Glenn, I have done fine on 16's and Yoko AVS but the 17's and Dunlops will not even move the car ....

Vilhuer

65 profile is too tall (unless it's typo). You'll need 205/55/16.

Vilhuer

Here's few (large) pics of factory 7x16" winter wheels on 86.5 S US model imported to Finland some years ago.

http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0746.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0747.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0748.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0749.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0750.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0751.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0752.JPG
http://members.rennlist.com/vilhuer/HPIM0753.JPG

heinrich

Why too tall?

Vilhuer

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

It might cause problems when steering is at full lock and/or suspension fully compressed. It's always good to aim to under few % difference compared to stock tire size.

Big Dave

It'll make the speedo reading incorrect by a few mph, too. I looked into all of this when I got mine.

heinrich

Thanks Erkka, that was very useful ... but Jim reckons taller is better .... I'm not sure I would want full lock anyway, but you're right, the fenders would be in the way. In the front at least.

Jim bailey - 928 International

The top of the tire will be about 3/4 inch higher 1/2 the diameter increase but you also gain 3/4 inch of ground clearance. Which at stock ride height is only about 4 .75 inchs so another 3/4inch is significant especially if your car is lower than stock ! It is going to look funny anyway until you drive around other cars stuck in the snow! The narrow tires will be inset a bit from the wheel lip as well 1/4 inch or so. The footprint becomes narrow and longer instead of wider and short so cornering traction is less but acceleration and braking should be better.

Vilhuer

All true and useful properties Jim but will there be enough clearance for them? If there is, taller is better for the really bad whether. On other hand lower than stock ride height hasn't been problem for locals and roads aren't best in the world here.

Tall winter tires will make steering feel like there's rubber bands installed as tie rods. Their sidewalls are much softer than on equal size summer tires. Expect delayed response to steering wheel changes. They're really soft if they're any good, meaning build to be real winter tires and not just summer model with different M+S tread design. There is even significant difference between winter tires sold in central Europe and in here within same brand and tire model. They may look the same but Scandinavian version has different rubber composition that 'melts' when used in clearly above zero celsius temperatures. These have much better traction below zero but would wear out in few 1k miles of Autobahn use. And then there are these studded ones that are unbeatable in worst possible conditions.