Another winter tire & wheel question
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From: Chicago area
Another winter tire & wheel question
Didn't do winter tires last year.
This year I'm thinking about just mounting winter tires on my existing wheel set.
The practice around here seems to be swapping tires AND wheels.
Is there any disadvantage to simply keeping your wheels and swapping the tires instead? I just don't see the point in buying a new set of wheels when I already like mine. Is there a concern that repeatedly swapping causes damage to the wheels, or is it mostly just a cosmetic issue?
This year I'm thinking about just mounting winter tires on my existing wheel set.
The practice around here seems to be swapping tires AND wheels.
Is there any disadvantage to simply keeping your wheels and swapping the tires instead? I just don't see the point in buying a new set of wheels when I already like mine. Is there a concern that repeatedly swapping causes damage to the wheels, or is it mostly just a cosmetic issue?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: NYC
When I first had a car that I wanted dedicated summer and winter tires for I decided that just swapping tires twice a year made sense. I made it one year that way.
Having a second set of wheels means that I can make the seasonal swap myself in about 30 minutes and I'm not dependent on a shop.
Swapping tires exposes me to more risk of wheel damage from mounting machines and technicians. Some people also think that repeatedly mounting tires weakens the bead on them from stretching them out over and over. I can't say if that part is true.
The other advantage is that when I've had a wheel get damaged and need repair I always have another set that I can use for a few days or weeks while that is being done.
Having a second set of wheels means that I can make the seasonal swap myself in about 30 minutes and I'm not dependent on a shop.
Swapping tires exposes me to more risk of wheel damage from mounting machines and technicians. Some people also think that repeatedly mounting tires weakens the bead on them from stretching them out over and over. I can't say if that part is true.
The other advantage is that when I've had a wheel get damaged and need repair I always have another set that I can use for a few days or weeks while that is being done.
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I did that for years here in Chicago. Used Costco for the most part, never had issues.
I had to buy a wheel set bc porsche hoarded all the "21 tires back in '19. I remember those days, you could buy stuff and get it delivered. Good old days.
I didn't go for 19/20 setup bc of the aftermarket brakes.
Lots of people are concerned about scratching wheels. I made peace with cosmetic stuff a long ago. Several shops in the are deal with low profile tires. In Westmont, gocarsplus.com (Mark Hill).
I had to buy a wheel set bc porsche hoarded all the "21 tires back in '19. I remember those days, you could buy stuff and get it delivered. Good old days.
I didn't go for 19/20 setup bc of the aftermarket brakes.
Lots of people are concerned about scratching wheels. I made peace with cosmetic stuff a long ago. Several shops in the are deal with low profile tires. In Westmont, gocarsplus.com (Mark Hill).
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From: Ohio
I have a second set as well. I also like to do it myself, as I can swap them when I want (takes about 1 hour tops). In southern ohio, I usually can go to early to mid december before I swap and usually sometime in March or early April to put the summers back on. Due to being so variable, I prefer to do it when needed and only takes 60 minutes in my garage to do.
1.) I also opted for 19/20s for the winters - as opposed to the 20/21 summers. More sidewall
2.) I opted for the cheapest winter full set, as winter/potholes/etc are more hard on the rims, saving my summers from getting the winter wear.
3.) The cost (was about 4500 iirc) for the full set. Which is more than what you would pay for swapping just the tires. However you typically get back 50% or greater if you were to ever sell them, and they are a quick sale. I had my set for my 991 before I got my 992. Sold in less than 1 week at around 60% of what I paid for those. My 992 (I had the C4S coupe, and now on my 992 targa) can be used for future porsches or sell later.
4.) Gives me an opportunity for both sets to do a deep cleaning after each season when I remove them, also when the rears are off, you can do the air filters since they are right there to check or replace.
1.) I also opted for 19/20s for the winters - as opposed to the 20/21 summers. More sidewall
2.) I opted for the cheapest winter full set, as winter/potholes/etc are more hard on the rims, saving my summers from getting the winter wear.
3.) The cost (was about 4500 iirc) for the full set. Which is more than what you would pay for swapping just the tires. However you typically get back 50% or greater if you were to ever sell them, and they are a quick sale. I had my set for my 991 before I got my 992. Sold in less than 1 week at around 60% of what I paid for those. My 992 (I had the C4S coupe, and now on my 992 targa) can be used for future porsches or sell later.
4.) Gives me an opportunity for both sets to do a deep cleaning after each season when I remove them, also when the rears are off, you can do the air filters since they are right there to check or replace.
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Richard, I believe the Red Bull Team has managed to dip below the 2 second mark for a 4 tire change. We'll be expecting some improvement on those numbers... 
As you, I have a separate set of rims and do my own. Not wasting 4 hours waiting twice a year for 3 cars, not to mention the potential for rim damage.
siberian
As you, I have a separate set of rims and do my own. Not wasting 4 hours waiting twice a year for 3 cars, not to mention the potential for rim damage.
siberian
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Joined: Sep 2019
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Didn't do winter tires last year.
This year I'm thinking about just mounting winter tires on my existing wheel set.
The practice around here seems to be swapping tires AND wheels.
Is there any disadvantage to simply keeping your wheels and swapping the tires instead? I just don't see the point in buying a new set of wheels when I already like mine. Is there a concern that repeatedly swapping causes damage to the wheels, or is it mostly just a cosmetic issue?
This year I'm thinking about just mounting winter tires on my existing wheel set.
The practice around here seems to be swapping tires AND wheels.
Is there any disadvantage to simply keeping your wheels and swapping the tires instead? I just don't see the point in buying a new set of wheels when I already like mine. Is there a concern that repeatedly swapping causes damage to the wheels, or is it mostly just a cosmetic issue?
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,956
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From: Ohio
Richard, I believe the Red Bull Team has managed to dip below the 2 second mark for a 4 tire change. We'll be expecting some improvement on those numbers...
As you, I have a separate set of rims and do my own. Not wasting 4 hours waiting twice a year for 3 cars, not to mention the potential for rim damage.
siberian
As you, I have a separate set of rims and do my own. Not wasting 4 hours waiting twice a year for 3 cars, not to mention the potential for rim damage.
siberian
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: South Shore, MA
Last season, I just bought winter tires and mounted them on my 1 set of wheels and swapped back to summers in the spring. About two months ago, I bought a second set of wheels that I will mount my winter tires on and now just swap back and forth myself and take my dealer out of the equation. Swapping tires on and off wheels 1. Increases the risk of damage to the tires and 2. Increases the risk of damage to the wheels.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2021
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From: Westchester NY
I have always had two sets of wheels and tires, but never changes them myself and its is getting really old (or maybe I am) hauling them up a ladder to the storage rack. My dealership will swap out the tires for $200 each time, so that is $400/year. They used to store the off season set but are out of space so they send someone over to pick them up prior to service and also send back the ones you took the same way. They mount 20 and 21s on a regular basis, so I am not worried and I have the wheel and tire insurance if there is an issue. So, i am going to try it with just swapping tires. If I am not happy, I can always purchase a set of wheels the following season.