clemsondds

Quick question. I am looking for what kind of winter tires I can put on my 911. I have the carrera sport wheels. I just got off the phone with the service manager at my local Porsche dealership and he told me they don't make winter tires for those wheels and I need to get a set of 19" wheels. Is this correct? I looked on tire rack and while they do offer suggestions for tires, up on the top it says "Rear: 295/30-20 is only approved for winter use, requires 20X 10" to 11" wheel. Will not mount on OE 20X11.5" wheel! Match with 245/35-20 front fitment." and my wheels are 11.5x20 on the rear.
So do I need to buy new wheels? Also, what is the best winter tire in your opinion? I'm writing this as I am watching snow come down and I have my summer tires on and I need to drive about 20 miles here in a little while. Should be fun!

Thank you!

Jaws1

Yes, get a 2nd set of winter wheels, and preferably in a smaller diameter than the summer wheels. I can do the bi-annual changeover on my wheels quicker than the drive to and from the dealer. IMO just buy from TR or similar, and save yourself 1/2 from what the dealer will charge. 19" wheels with NO spec Pirelli Sottozeros and TPMS sensors is $2k.

CSK 911 C4S

Just looked at some 19" tire and wheel packages from Tirerack.

Really good pricing for a winter set up's

What car do you have? 4/4S? There's a set of take off 20" Carrera S wheels on the SuncoastParts web site for a good price.

Plus check the classifieds.

I picked up a 19" set with Porsche rims, Winter tires, center caps and TPMS with low miles for $1900

911boy

I had 245&295/20 Michelins installed at Dealer on my OEM wheels and got some cool wheels for summer. Dealer will be ridiculously high price wise for package.

spiderv6

Tirerack. $2k all in. Let it snow!

ShaunP

What wheels are those? Size etc

PJ Cayenne

Those look like OEM Carrera S wheels, correct?

Dennis C

+1

I believe that my 991.1 TTS OE rear wheels are 11.5” inches wide, and 295s are fine.

erko1905

The dealer is not correct, sounds like they're trying to sell you some new wheels.

While there might be advantages to having a second set for winter wheels (or a nicer set for summers and the OEM for the winters), you do have winter tire options for your 20 inch wheels as you also pointed out. Both Michelin Alpin and Pirelli Sottozero is available at 245/35-20F & 295/30-20R (which you can run on 9 and 11.5 inch wide front & rear wheels, I'm running the Sottozeros on the Sport Technos currently 245/295 on 9 & 11.5); or I just saw Sottozero is also now available in 255/305, if you so prefer.

XLOR8T

I’m on 295 Soto’s on 12” GTS centrelock rim. You will be plenty ok on 11.5!!

RobC4sX51

The Ox

Tire rack sells 20' Pirelli Sottozeros, I bought a set from my dealer, they were competitive.
If you buy 19" rims. contact me. I have a set of Michelin Blizzaks from my '09 911 (traded in October for a '17C2). Used them just one season last year, December to mid April, roughly 3K miles. I'm in NY, so you'd pay the shipping.

XLOR8T

AnandN

I was in the same situation as you for my C4S. I thought I would just buy 20 inch tires and use the existing rims but as advised not to use the narrower width 295s on the 11.5 wheel.
I bought a set of new 19 inch wheels and tires from my dealer for 4k. These are the same wheels that come standard on the base Carrera. The tires are Continentals. The dealer charges $ 250/year to store the tires and wheels not being used. And 50 bucks for the changeover. I am pretty satisfied with this set up. Saves the hassle of having to haul heavy wheels and tires and making multiple trips. The slightly narrower tires with more sidewall is better IMO for winter driving. The Contis have been great so far. Quiet and lots of grip.

chuck911

This^^
If you are going to run a winter set, run a winter set. Wide tires are great summertime, but for true winter driving you want more pressure per square inch to bite into compact snow and ice and push slush and standing water out of the way. The longitudinally longer contact patch of a high profile tire helps improve stability. Higher profile and even narrower width rules.