pongobaz

I have a spare set of OEM turbo twist wheels sized: front 18x8 and rear 18x11. While shopping for winter tires, while all agree that the front should be identical to the OEM summer tire size (225/40R18) I've gotten mixed opinions on what size to go with on the back. One place said I MUST use 265R35/18 on the back but only on 18X10 wheels (and he's happy to sell me 2 TT replicas in that size for $350 a piece). Another said that I could go with the 265R35/18 on the the 18 x11 rims and although they were wider by .5" than the recomended; he's done it before.
I phoned the parts dept of the local Porsche dealer and he told me that Pirelli now makes an N rated Snowsport 240 in 295/35R18 which he recomends for my car. The OEM summer size is 295/30R18 so if I go with the last option, my rolling diameter increases by 4.45% to 26.12" (from 24.96") does that sound right? What should I do?

LVDell

Hey Phil, the PCNA rec'd tires for your car are:

N-Rated Pirelli Winter 240 SnowSport
235/40 for the front
265/40 for the rear (10")
295/35 for the rear (11")

You can get it in 295 for the rear in a 30 series tire but that is for the 19" rim on the 997.

pongobaz

Hi Dell,
Just got off the phone with Damon @ tirerack and Pirelli did launch a new Porsche approved N-rated Snowsport 240 last year and it is available in 295/35R18 and because of the construction of the tire, the rolling diameter only increases by 2.8%. He said that a number of 996 turbo owners ordered them last year with no probs. If that works, it would certainly save me from ordering another set of rims.

LVDell

2.8% will be just fine

ML

Pongobaz:

I am from Toronto and dropped by Downtown Porsche yesterday to enquire about winter tires. Was told I should not put 265/35R18 on 10" wide rims (which I understand is the width of the C4S back wheels). They recommended 295/30/18 winter. First time I hear that. I personally find 295s too wide for the winter.

Are your 11" aftermarket?

I am expecting a call back today to settle the issue and will post reply.

ML

Sorry, I meant "Phil", not Pongobaz!

nycebo

Huh? 1999-2001 cars all came with 265s in back so I hardly see how that'd be a problem. Frankly, I think you meant to write 11" above and not the 10" that you listed.

ML

You are right! I was under the impressions that the OEM rear wheels are 10" but they are 11".

LVDell

265 or 285 on the 10" rim and 295 on the 11" rim.

pongobaz

Both sets of wheels are OEM. The ones that came with the car are 11" wide on the rear turbo twist solid spoke and those have 295/30R18 (summer tires currently) on them; I'll use those wheels as the winter ones.
I bought a set of original hollow spoke turbo twists from a PCA member this past summer and I'll use them for summer next year. Either way, the 265's are not recommended on anything wider than 10.5".

Zookie

What up Phil?

This is what i did. I'm using stock "Turbo Twist II" Wheels 11X18 and 8X18... I ordered Pirelli Snowsport 240. Size 295/35/18 Rear and 225/40/18 Front. Now these are "Porsche Approved" Tires. I wanted 225/45/18 for the front to match the Rolling Diameter with the Rear, but 1010tires would not sell me "NON Porsche Approved" tires... Now the speed diffrence between the tires i ordered is 3.5%. 3 to 4% diffrence is okay anything more is not good. All four Tires costed me $1450 CND Shipped from 1010tires.com

1010tires refused to sell me Non Porsche Approvred tires, stating Porsche will Void my Warrenty and also explained how P Approved tires are built diffrently then non P Approvred tires. Also said the Tire size is slightly diffrent between Approved and Non Approved tires.

PS: The correct combo is 235/40/18N0 and 295/35/18N0...

LVDell

Porsche CANNOT void your warranty by using non N-rated tires. However, then can deny a warranty claim if they can prove that the non N-rated tire(s) caused or contributed to the problem presented for repair.

With that said, I have never used anything but the N-rated tires. I trust that PAG/PCNA have developed (with the tire manufacturer) a tire that is best for the car. Besdies, I really like the n-rated tire selection. Some of the best out there!

ML

Zookie:

Where do you get your tires mounted and "roadforce" balanced? At the dealer?

Also, did you compare 1010tires.com to tirerack for prices?

Thanks.

ML

Zookie

EU Autowerks... is the shop for that kinda work or the Dealer lol

Yes i did although Tire Rack is way cheaper, i dint wanna pay $XXXX in Customs and Taxes when it crosses the Canadian Border. 1010tires ships from BC so only GTS, no PST or Customs

www.tiretrends.com is the Canadian Tire Rack, and silimar prices to 1010tires...

pongobaz

Hi Zookie,
haven't seen you out at our GTG in awhile, what are you up to?
Yeah I'm about to order the snowsports 240 today...295/35R18 it is. Why didn't you go with the 235/40R18 for the fronts?
Also, who's doing your install in TO?