rpolin

I am of the belief that cars are meant to be driven, not stored away in a garage only for sunny days. Where is the fun in that! Anyway, after spending hours at various tire shops, web sites, and of course this forums, I have come to the realization that driving summer tires in the northeast during the winter is not just stupid but its also flat out suicidal.

Now before you all go scolding me about this tire is better than that tire or summers are just fine for the winter or heh why not just go with all seasons, i have one hopefully simple question but before i get to it, let me give you the spec's

I drive an '02 C4 cab, that i picked up almost 6 months ago. I drive it hard and fast on the highways but tend to take it easy around town due to all the kids in the neighborhood's although i have been known to really lean on her into turns once in a while. I use the car as my daily driver and therefore expect to run her in the winter, once the streets are plowed of course, so she will see time in slush, rain, cold and light snow.

With all of that said, for the winter season, I am considering dropping down from my current 18" setup to a set of 17" turbo twists with Nokian tires.

FINALLY, the question: Has anybody ever put Nokian's on their pcar?

Barn996

Good decision on driving in the winter. I drive mine with winter/snows on all 4 wheels even though I drive a C2. I have had many sets of Nokian tires, but on Saabs and Audis, not on my Porsche. I'd think you'd be very happy with them on 17" wheels. I have 17" on mine.

rpolin

thanks. what do you use on your c2 now for the winter?

awrryan

I had Nokians on a rear-drive 1994 BMW 530i with a 3.0 32-valve V-8. The Nokians were fantastic and my favorite winter tire for the kind of winters Montreal has. Better than a series of Pirellis I tried and the Michelins I tried on a different car.

soverystout

I share your opinion that cars (especially these cars) are meant to be driven year round.

This will be my first winter season driving my 03 C2 coupe in the winter.
I will be using my stock 18 inch wheels (summer tires are on my victor innsbruck wheels) and I am looking at the bridgestone LM 60s winter performance tires.

they are rated very high and Tirerack has them in stock in 18.

Zurichgnome

As someone who has lived in Michigan and various extremely snowy areas in Europe, Nokians are the only winter tire I use. We have them on both our winter SUVs. I don't drive my cab in the winter here, but if I did no doubt I'd use Nokians. If you are looking for an inexpensive or long-life tire, look elsewhere. But if you literally want to stick to the road, they are a great choice.

Dennis C

If they made Nokians that would fit my C4S winter wheels, I'd buy them! I am running Blizzak's on mine right now, and they make the car very capable in winter conditions.

vange_c4s

i would like to hear more peoples experience here, as i am in the same situation. i believe a dedicated winter set of wheels is the way to go. as far as tires - well you know there are many thoughts. i have attached the factory recommendations for reference.

vange_c4s

attachments

rpolin

Good luck finding any winter tires that will fit Porsche 18" rims. I spent countless hours searching and the closest i could come were a set of Blizzak's but the rolling diameter was different and I'm not about to mess with the AWD or PSM systems as a result. My only real option was to pick up a set of 17" wheels and then of course, there are plenty of winter tires to choose from, be it Pirelli's or Nokian's, etc.

Right now i am leaning towards getting the Nokian's on 17" turbo twists. If you guys can find something to fit on 18" wheels, please speak up. Rear rims are 10"

geetee

225/40/18 265/35/18 diameter same as stock....works perfectly well....no need to go down to 17's unless you want to save a few bucks or already have 17's

Barn996

17" Blizzaks, and this will be my 3rd winter on them.

mjb2448

Well gosh you fellas got the tire thing pretty well dialed in.....sooo what are your contingency plans for black ice, salted roads and that idiot behind you without snow tires sliding into you like you're home plate ?

rpolin

Not sure what you're driving but my current summer tires are 225/40/18 in the front and 285/30/18 in the rear. I looked into getting 265/335/18 but the rolling diameter is different and i don't want to mess around with my AWD or PSM systems.

AndyK

I've changed to my 17" Twist replicas and Pirelli winter sport tires for the past 4 winters. This winter, I will be getting all season tires and selling my winter wheels. I only put about 2k miles a year on the car, and don't track it, and changing wheels kills my back!

Another perspective for you!