nj911skr

Just wanted to post some info that I have been gathering regarding winter tire sets without having to purchase 10 inch rear wheels and to maintain (as close as possible) stock tire widths.

As I understand it, the reason to go to 10 inch rears with the 265 width snow tires is to be able to provide clearance for chains if needed. Also, narrower snow tires should provide better traction in deep snow. As I am looking for good road performance in cold temps with good traction in light snow I would prefer to maintain the stock rear widths.

Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero
Front: 225/45/18 V
Rear: 295/35/18 V
0.6% diameter difference
Pros:
- Maintains 225/295 front/rear widths from stock sizes
- Slightly taller, may add some protection for wheels on rough roads and additional clearance
- Performance oriented
Cons:
- Slightly taller, may lose some performance
- Trades off snow/ice traction for dry/wet performance in cold temps

Dunlop Winter Sport 3D
Front: 235/40/18 W
Rear: 285/35/18 W
1.9% diameter difference
Pros:
- W speed rated snow tire!
- Performance oriented with good snow/ice traction
Cons:
- Front slightly wider than stock, rear slightly narrower than stock

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60
Front: 225/40/18 H
Rear: 275/35/18 H
2.0% diameter difference
Pros:
- Front stock size, rear narrower than stock - may provide better winter traction
- Performance oriented with good snow/ice traction
Cons:
- Only H speed rated
- Rear only slightly larger than the recommended 265 width snow tire

Hankook Icebear W300
Front: 225/40/18 V
Rear: 275/35/18 V
1.4% diameter difference
Pros:
- Front stock size, rear narrower than stock - may provide better winter traction
- Least expensive of the 4
Cons:
- Rear only slightly larger than the recommended 265 width snow tire
- Trades off snow/ice traction for dry/wet performance in cold temps

Hope this helps. There are probably other options out there but these are at the top of my list.

Regards

Hoosier_Daddy

Awesome post -- I'm copying this into a file for future use.

Thanks!

Last930

I mounted 265s on the original 11" twist wheels, after driving the last 2 days in Chicago snow I would say that it works pretty darn well. The tires and wheels do look a little wierd though.

You do need to make sure the diameter difference doesn't get too great or you will trash the front drive.

cjaz

I just had my Blizzak lm-60's mounted and balanced yesterday. Took a liitle spin last night in them on cold dry pavement. They felt pretty good. The only thing i don't like about them is that they look a little funny mounted on the 11 in rear wheels. The rear wheels definitely won't be quite as protected from damage. Just so everyone knows if i had to do it over again i would go with the pirelli setup to stay with a size closer to a stock size on the rear. I have used the older Pirelli snowsports on my R32 and loved them. If I was going to drive frequently in snow the blizzaks might be a better choice, but I bought them to drive more in the cold temps then the snow. We just don't get that much snow in philly.

nj911skr

Last930-
A couple of people have posted that they have put 265's on the 11 inch wheels and the seem happy with the results. Be careful as the 265 is only recommended up to a 10.5 inch wheel. Yes, the diameter difference is key. From what I have heard its important to keep the difference under 3%.

cjaz-
Yeah, the 275 width is the only thing holding me back from the LM-60's as they seem to be very good snow tires.

I think I have narrowed it down to the Dunlops or the Pirelli's. I like the Dunlops as they are rated a very good performance snow tire and are W speed rated. Like the Pirelli's to maintain the stock widths with good performance.

Thanks for the replies.

SnP

I have the 275 Blizzaks on 11s and they work fine.

Grip is good.

No curb protection in that width though.

Bos

For me, cheap turbo twist knock-offs with Blizzak 265 on 10" rear. Whole set was 2K from Tire Rack a few years ago. As for rating, don't see myself needing anything beyond H.

SoloRacer

Trying to decide between the Blizzak and Pirelli options. Anyone got pics of the Blizzak's on the car? Just want to see how different the narrow tire looked on the stock wheels.

Receiver

Just switched from the Dunlops to Pirelli Snowsports and am amazed at how much smoother and quieter they are. After one winter, all 4 Dunlops were cupped to various degrees. My tire guy said that the Dunlops have this rep.

SoloRacer

I purchased the Pirelli Snowsports in the above recommended sizes. I was recently informed that tire selection on the 996 TT is critical for the differentials. Specifically, if the tire sizes were wrong front to rear that you could take out a differential. Anyone have more information on this?

nj911skr

SoloRacer-

I've heard that if the difference in tire diameters (front vs back) is under 3% it should be OK. That was the main assumption I used when researching the winter tire options.

Even stock Pirelli PZero (summer) tires have a 3% difference so anything under that should be good.

brad@tirerack.com

This is what a 265 looks like on an 11" wide wheel. It's a bad idea and should not be done.



It needs to be a minimum of a 275 to be a good fit. 10" wheels with a 265 is fine.

Please call me if I can help.

brad@tirerack.com

Within 4% is best on AWD, 2WD is OK. 225/40 and 265/35 is best on all, or 225/40 and 275/35 on AWD. 285/35 18 works but is a bit tall.

nj911skr

Thanks to Damon for providing updated info on acceptable diameter differences when choosing tires (less than 4%) .

Just to clarify, 265 width tires should only be used on a rims from 9"-10.5" wide. This would be the correct option for the Porsche recommended 10" rear winter tire setup. The purpose of this thread was to provide winter tire options for the stock rim widths (8" fronts and 11" rears).

Thanks again, Damon. Just wanted to avoid any confusion.

Last930

Damon, What exactly is wrong with a 265 / 11" wheel? Is it a safety issue? Compromised tire integrity? Or just a wheel protection issue?