All Season tires or Winter setup
#16
I tried this this all season experiment and it nearly cost me dearly! I was driving home in the rain and from one moment to the next (literally in a span of less than a mile) the rain turned to snow and my rear wheel driver was useless. I have never been in such a dangerous situation. I dupmped the car at the first exit in the first available parking space. I waited another hour before a taxi cab passed by to drive me to the home of my nearest friend, I was nowhere near home. A nightmare to get back to the car, dig it out and get home that could have been avoided had I mounted the Pirelli Snowsports now on the car. Its a weekend driver for me that gets 10K miles a year. I'll run Snow tires from October to March and Summer tires the rest of the year.
#17
There's a place in Natick (about 15 miles west of Boston) called Wheel Dynamix (508) 647-6999. They're a nice outfit accustomed to working on high-end cars.
I know that they'll store your off-season tires and re-mount them each season. I suspect they'd also store wheel/tire sets as well. A friend has used them for his P-car for several years. I just bought my friend's slightly used Pilot Sport tires (that won't fit his new 997) and had them mounted on my own rims at Wheel Dynamix.
Mount, computer balance and disposal of 4 old tires for only $88. Not a scratch on 'em.
Spoke with my friend. Both his summer and winter tires are already mounted on wheels. They charge him $150 a year. This includes cost of changeover each season, cleaning the wheels, storing the off-season wheels. Speak with Jeff Orlinsky (owner); they are on Route 135 near intersection of Speen Street (but tucked behind the Dunkin' Donuts)
I know that they'll store your off-season tires and re-mount them each season. I suspect they'd also store wheel/tire sets as well. A friend has used them for his P-car for several years. I just bought my friend's slightly used Pilot Sport tires (that won't fit his new 997) and had them mounted on my own rims at Wheel Dynamix.
Mount, computer balance and disposal of 4 old tires for only $88. Not a scratch on 'em.
Spoke with my friend. Both his summer and winter tires are already mounted on wheels. They charge him $150 a year. This includes cost of changeover each season, cleaning the wheels, storing the off-season wheels. Speak with Jeff Orlinsky (owner); they are on Route 135 near intersection of Speen Street (but tucked behind the Dunkin' Donuts)
Last edited by c4s Jim; 10-02-2006 at 10:36 AM.
#18
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I appreciate all the opinions and insight, folks. Thanks.
C4s Jim, I'll definitely check out the place you mentioned. I'm working in Natick so it will be quite convenient. I'll ask them about storage.
S.
C4s Jim, I'll definitely check out the place you mentioned. I'm working in Natick so it will be quite convenient. I'll ask them about storage.
S.
#19
Instructor
Originally Posted by perfectlap
I tried this this all season experiment and it nearly cost me dearly! I was driving home in the rain and from one moment to the next (literally in a span of less than a mile) the rain turned to snow and my rear wheel driver was useless. I have never been in such a dangerous situation. I dupmped the car at the first exit in the first available parking space. I waited another hour before a taxi cab passed by to drive me to the home of my nearest friend, I was nowhere near home. A nightmare to get back to the car, dig it out and get home that could have been avoided had I mounted the Pirelli Snowsports now on the car. Its a weekend driver for me that gets 10K miles a year. I'll run Snow tires from October to March and Summer tires the rest of the year.
thanks,
Amir
#20
Originally Posted by Ubermensch
'm in a 2001 C4. With only 300 hp and all wheel drive I've never broken traction on the street with my summer tires so I'm wondering whether I wouldn't be fine with all season tires and save myself some money/driving.
#21
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Ray S
Plus, it's great fun seeing the look of shock when I out-accelerate an SUV (probably on all seasons) from a stoplight in heavy snow.
#22
Banned
Originally Posted by Ubermensch
I appreciate all the opinions and insight, folks. Thanks.
C4s Jim, I'll definitely check out the place you mentioned. I'm working in Natick so it will be quite convenient. I'll ask them about storage.
S.
C4s Jim, I'll definitely check out the place you mentioned. I'm working in Natick so it will be quite convenient. I'll ask them about storage.
S.
#23
Track Day
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Massachusetts
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I live in the Boston area. I drive my Carrera year round. You need snow tires. Summer high performance tires may be safe on black pavement at 155, but if the pavement is a little white they are not safe at 15 MPH. Ask my wife who managed to drive my car off the road in snow at about 10 MPH.
I've gone both ways. 1. Had one set of rims and swapped summer and winter tires. 2. Had seperate rims and tires for summer and winter use. If you go with option 1 your rims will eventually get chewed up form the tire guys swappping tires on and off them. Option 2, just costs more initially although now I do my own season change and save the $80 the tire shop charged me to mount and change the winter and summer tire. I'd recommend buying winter tires and rims.
I use Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's on Boxster 17" rims that I bought on eBay on my 2001 Carrera and have never had problems in a Boston winter.
I've gone both ways. 1. Had one set of rims and swapped summer and winter tires. 2. Had seperate rims and tires for summer and winter use. If you go with option 1 your rims will eventually get chewed up form the tire guys swappping tires on and off them. Option 2, just costs more initially although now I do my own season change and save the $80 the tire shop charged me to mount and change the winter and summer tire. I'd recommend buying winter tires and rims.
I use Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's on Boxster 17" rims that I bought on eBay on my 2001 Carrera and have never had problems in a Boston winter.
#24
Three Wheelin'
I vote for the snows on their own wheels. I drive my C4 all over New England in the winter and its No Problem even in the storms. As far as the storage you have to visit your mother in law once in a while. Plan it for Spring and Fall. If you never have to visit her, I want to know how you pull that one off?