GBG

Thanks Pierre and As. Can the Pirelli Snowsports be used year 'round, or are they only good for winter? I'm wondering if I can find a good snow tire that I can just leave on all of the time (just lazy, I guess). I plan to use my new TT as a daily driver, and we do get some snow in my neck of the woods. Thanks.

Tech-Law

I absolutely LOVE Tirerack - I've been buying performance rubber and wheels from them before the Internet... if anyone can remember the mail order only days at this point If you call try to get through to Reggie at x644 - European guy who knows all the wheel wieghts and can actually add something to the selection process.

Pierre

My TT has been my daily driver since May 17th, 2001, and I crossed the 199'000 km mark 2 hours ago. So I wish you all the best in enjoying yours every day too!

Back to your question: of course you can use the SnowSport all year round. But this is definitely not the way to go. Under 'normal' (ie no snow, temp above 7°C), the TT needs a true performance tire. The winter tires wouldn't be sticky enough above 7°C, you'd kill them in no time, and you wouldn't have fun at all driving your car. Besides that, safety would be severely compromised.

So just put the SnowSports on during winter, and switch to a good performance tires when the weather gets better.

Actually, I have the SnowSport during winter, then shortly switch to the Pirelli Assimetrico, then put a set (ahem... several ones!) of Pirelli Corsa (semi-slicks) for track days and during summer, then it goes back to the Assimetrico in late fall, before closing the circle and putting the snow boots again.

Hope this helps!
Greetings,
--Pierre

BobbyC

Hey Pierre, the rate at which you put on miles makes you the ideal candidate for that old line..."I can live in my car, but you can't race in your house!"

Cheers...and post when you cross 200,000 km. I guess by this weekend? LOL...

Tech-Law

I would not leave the snows on all year round. The tire makes such a huge difference and it's inexpensive and quick to switch them out - especially if you have winter rims.

1AS

The newer technology snows work so well because of all the tiny side sipes (the transverse wiggly grooves) and a soft rubber formulation. The best traction will wear away in the early life of the tire, so I feel you are better off switching rubber in the spring. I'm also a little careful about banzai dry cornering on the snows, since I think tire wear will be drastically accelerated by high speed dry cornering. AS

GBG

There appear to be a number of Pirelli Snowsport tires . See http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....+240+SnowSport

Which ones do you recommend for a 996 TT? Would I need to buy anything else other than the tires? Thanks.

Pierre

For the rear, you'll need narrower rims: 10J x 18 ET 47 (I think it's Porsche part no 996.637.244.20). As for the tires, the front ones are the same size as the summer tires (225/40 VR 18). The rear ones are 265/35 VR 18.

BTW, I was more than glad to have the SnowSports today! We had a nice mixture of snow and ice...

EDIT: Actually, you can order the full set (rims and tires) from Porsche. The part no is 000 044 600 88. Check out page 3 of this document (in german, but the table is self-explaining): http://193.175.5.135/german/che/acce...sche_de_04.pdf

Greetings,
--Pierre

GBG

Thanks Pierre, much appreciated.

1AS

I think the Tire Rack price on the Porsche rims was @$300 plus about 75 for the spacers (I could be off on the latter). I'd be interested in knowing what Porsche asks for the rear rims. AS

ColorChange

Tech Law: I use my E55 as my winter beater and it's flat great in the snow. I have the Dunlop M3's and with the traction control on, it is hard to get the car to step out. With it off "she's a lot of fun". My tt is WAY too low to use in the winter.

GBG

ColorChange:

Is your TT too low with the stock suspension, or have you lowerd it? (I'm too ignorant to make heads ot tails of the mods listed in your signature, as I'm sure the answer is in there somewhere).

Or maybe it's just those Chicago winters? Thanks

Pierre

FWIW, my TT has been lowered quite a bit too (H&R coilover setup), but it's still ok to be driven on snow.The front lip isn't looking exactly like new, but... who cares?...

Greetings,
--Pierre

fbfisher

Great pics!

PorschePhD

Get some good tires and have fun. The car will not melt and will move thanks to the PSM...