I'm thinking ahead for winter wheels/tires for my C4S. I know that skinnier is usually better, and 19"s will have a smaller footprint. Anyone have experience with either? I will likely buy some OEM Porsche take-offs if I can find some at a reasonable price. Otherwise I'd go the package route at The Tire Rack.

Do the 19" wheels look funny on this car? I realize function is more important, but hey, it is what it is. Certainly the 19"s seem more economical to run. I keep winter wheels on about 5 months here (late November to late April).

It seems the offsets are different on the C4/C4S due to the body width.

 

Go with the 19 wheels ... skinnier is always better in the snow for grip
The width is even more important ... narrow is best for snow and slush.
Call Tire Rack for fitment advice and get a set of OEM replicas for winter.

 

I have 21" Pirelli Ice & Snows for my Cayenne, and I swap them directly with the summer rubber. They are fantastic even in the same size and width. I have zero worries about putting that size of tire into most winter conditions. Like you said, 19"s will be cheaper. Maybe make sure you can get a good winter tire in the rim sizes and go from there...

 

I ran OEM 20" with Michelin Pilot Alpin in 295 rear width last winter on my C4S. They did a fine job in the limited amount of snow we had.

 

On my 997.2 I had 19s in summer, narrower 18s in winter. Better traction with the narrower tire, and I figured if I slid into a curb, the higher profile rubber on the 18s might provide a bit more cushion.

 

i bought the porsche wheel package with the 19in wheels, tire pressure doodads and the sottozero II tires.
although i never drove it in the snow, they performed well in ice, rain and at very low temperatures.

 

Personally, I rather run the Michelin Pilot Alpin then the Pirelli, so I will go 20s most likely when winter rolls around.

 

Here is my 2 cents. If you get any kind of snow get the Michelin Arctic Alpins and forget the Pirellis exist.

As far as tire size goes, sure 19s would probably be better, but I have had zero problems in MN with the stock wheel sizes as long as I was using the Michelins and not the Pirellis.

 

Good to know. I haven't been disappointed with the Pirellis, but would like to hear about your experience with the Michelins as well, if you don't mind.