BarryG

Since we are getting close to the first winter with my '90 C4. I was wondering what recommendations for tires are. In Cincinnati we do not get alot of snow, but we do get some. I would love to be able to find a tire that I do not have to switch out as soon as winter ends. I do understand if I must though. I was just trying to avoid buying another set of rims. Any help would be appreciated. <img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" />

John H

I too have a 90 C4 and I live about 120 miles away. Are you in the Ohio Valley Region PCA? Sorry I can't help with the tire choice, I was thinking I need to do the same thing since mine is a daily driver. Last year I just ran the summer Pirellis without any touble. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

BarryG

Yes, I am in the Ohio Valley PCA. Do you ever go to any of the events?

Jay H

Guys:

Since we get a fair amount of snow where I live, I can offer my opinion. The Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 is a very good dedicated snow tire that has decent dry weather capabilities. These tires don't grip as well as the old generation Blizzak WS-15's (nothing does) in really poor, snowy weather, but they allow for better dry winter weather grip. They offer some compromise for more sporty type of driving in the winter on cold roads. The Blizzak WS-50 seems to be the replacement for the old WS-15's and probably would be THE choice for a very snowly climate.

Pirelli and Michelin offer great dedicated snows as well. I've had some experience with the Dunlop Graspic's and have not been too impressed.

Keep in mind that specific winter tires are designed with compounds that remain flexible in very cold weather (flexible = grip). Summer performance tires get really hard in cold weather (temps below 32 degrees) and really slide on cold surfaces.

The other alternative is to buy an all season type of tire for the winter, but those types of tires, in my opinion, don't really belong on a Porsche. They are just a compromise for a bunch of different weather conditions and are not good at any one thing (dry, heat, snow, wet, etc), but just average for all conditions. Leave those for the minivan or family sedan.

If you really want decent winter performance for your Porsche, snap up a set of used Design 90's for cheap and use some dedicated, performance snow tires in the stock 16" sizes (205/55 and 225/50). A 911, especially a 964 C4, is excellent in the snow with the proper tires. You will turn, brake and accelerate much better than most any other car (including most SUV's) on the road.

A separate set of winter tires and rims is expensive, but I always say it's cheaper than the tow truck and body shop bills after you slide in the ditch due to poor tires in the snow...

Good Luck!
Jay
90 964

DJF1

A friend of mine said to me that he liked better the Michelin Pilot Arctic than his last set of Blizaks last winter in Canada on his C4. He said that he was very surprised with their handling in the dry albeit cold winter days up there.

Good luck!

Bob Haase

Just my two-cents... I've done a lot of reading on this in the past weeks, including reviews of those who actually own the various tires. I've concluded that for me, the best performance in for colder temps is going to be the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (All Season.)

Do some reading on these and I think you will be impressed. I'm going with 225-50-R16 front and 245-50-R16 rears. Good luck in your search. <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

JasonAndreas

[quote]Originally posted by BarryG:
<strong>In Cincinnati we do not get alot of snow, but we do get some. I would love to be able to find a tire that I do not have to switch out as soon as winter ends. </strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm sure I've admitted to this somewhere else but Michelin Alpin Pilots have no problems being driven in warm weather. They offer no were near the level of grip a Z rated tire does in the hot but I had absolutely no problems driving well into July last year. They are an absolute joy to drive on in winter snowy/cold conditions. In extremely slushy conditions I prefered Bridgestone Blizzaks. If it is really really cold and you find yourself driving on ice Michelin Arctic Alpins worked better (michelin had/has two different winter tires.) Driving from Massachusetts upto Northern Quebec (12 foot snow banks when it was plowed and I could get through) on a frequent basis I prefered the Michelin Alpin Pilots and will have them mounted this winter again. I've tried Falken's on a different car several years ago and i've had less problems with the newer michelin and bridgestones.
This may have something to do with advances in tire compounds over the years. The michelin's lasted the longest.

jason andreas
1993 964RSA
in the berkshires.

Adrian

When it comes to winter tyres I swear by Michelin Pilot Alpins. They have got me and my C4 through some very nasty winters without any problems. I live in the mountains and in winter this makes for some interesting trips down and back up again.
The Bridgesone Blizzaks are also a very good winter tyre. I do not recommend the use of "All season tyres" ever on a 964. I certainly do not recommend them used in winter. I also only recommend that a C4 venture out into the snow.
Winter tyres are for winter and summer tyres for summer. For safety reasons there is no compromise in my opinion. No middle ground. An all season tyre is a compromise and you are better off not compromising with your 964 in winter. Please also remember that it is not just the road surface condition that is an issue but the road surface temperature. If the road temp gets below 7 degrees C, switch to winter tyres. For us here in Switzerland this is normally the end of October beginning of November. In the higher elevations they will do the switch somewhat earlier. In some cases they drive all year on winter tyres.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

eion

"I also only recommend that a C4 venture out into the snow."

How much of a handful are C2s in the snow? Are they driveable with extreme care, or is it not worth the risk? I'd like to continue driving my car in the winter (it often snows here)... am I going to have to make other plans?

Adrian

Dear Eion,
It is really not worth the risk. Snow and ice and powerful RWD autos does not mix. I know many people do it but believe you me I learned the hard way.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

johnfm

[quote] I know many people do it but believe you me I learned the hard way.
<hr></blockquote>

Believe you me....you MUST be an Australian!! Only us Antipodeans use that one.

(Source is usually: Believe you me son, this is going to hurt me more than its going to hurt you....)

Adrian

Fair dinkum John you got that right,
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4