rnlarctic997

My 997 is my daily driver and with cold weather upon us...I'm wondering if anyone else has heard about the snow tires for this car. I made a deal with my dealer--they were to get 18" Carrera rims( I have the 19" lobster claws) with Continental WinterContacts 810 V's. I wasn't going to get this car until spring '05, but they assured me the winter shoes would arrive in late November.

Well...now they don't know when these tires are to be available. They promised me a Cayenne loaner, should some serious snow start to fall--but, not my ideal solution. Anybody have news on this matter? TIA.

WayFast #85

I drove my 997S to my home in the mountains "before" the big snow storm. I got there with roads almost plowed. I even had to stop and shovel (yes...I carry a shovel, I'm at 5K ft in the Sierras) at a main road intersection. Anyway, you don't want to drive in the snow with the stock tires. They just slip and slide and when you start to spin the wheels the ABS goes off and the car loses power. I was on a small upgrade after stoping and could hardly get going again. I'm going to buy a set of 18's when the snow tires come out. In the mean time the Subaru is going to get a lot more work. Mine is a daily driver as well but it will be restricted to the Bay Area.

Gary R.

Before I decided to keep my Jeep for "off-season" use I went to http://www.tirerack.com and picked out a set of (4) 18" wheel/tire combo for my 997 S. Actually they didn't have anything for the 997 so I used the 996 to look for the combo. I believe that, including shipping, I speced out a combo with Dunlop Aspic's (sp?) for under $2K US shipped to my door, ready to bolt on..

stinky

Any problem with putting 17" tires on the 997 C2S? Lots of choices on the secondary market for 17" snow tires and rims.

Sharkdriver

rnlarctic997....

"19 lobster claws"......best description I have heard for these wheels yet !!!

RJMDAD996

I was informed via Tire rack that the 18" Moda's with the P rubber I just recently mounted would fit the 997 model. See for yourself. Good luck...

rnlarctic997

Appreciate all the feedback fellas--I spoke with someone at Wheel Enhancements...seems like a reputable outfit specializing in shoes for our Porsches--this fellow said that the wheel offsets between the 996's and our 997's were different enough that the 996 winter wheel/tire fitment would not fly with our cars.

He further said that he ordered, thru Porsche NA, a set of snow wheels/tires for a customers 997, but now is not able to get them anymore. Porsche is telling him they are 'backordered' with no definitive date for their availability.

So, Gary R.--have you tried bolting on that set from the TireRack??--according to this fellow from Wheel Enhancements, it won't work.

By the way--RJMDAD996--nice ride and love the winter shoes.

Gary R.

No. I never bought them, just speced them out before deciding to keep my Jeep Liberty for the winter. I planned on calling TireRack to see IF they would fit the 997 before moving forward, would be worth you time to do that even if just to confirm what the Wheel Enhancement guys said.

Good luck!

rnlarctic997

Gary R--thanks, I think a call to the TireRack folks will be my next move.

graham_mitchell

If you want a great winter tire, nothing touches Hakkapeliitta

Gary R.

Cool, let us know what they say please. I picked up my car today and all I can say is YEEEEEEEE-HAWWWWWWW!!

rnlarctic997

Graham_Mitchell--the Hakappelita NRW's were the snow shoes I had on my 330ci--the car before my 997...those were the best snow tires...decent dry weather handling, quiet and tenacious grip in the snow. Wish Nokian would make them in 997 sizes. I personally can't wait until I drive the Carrera in the white stuff( but only with the proper shoes!).

Gary R.--Congrats on your new ride! There has been a permanent smile on my face since I picked up mine a month ago...