Has anyone done a square winter setup. With the same dimension width tires all around?

I purchased a set of 19" turbo wheels for a dedicated winter setup. I thought I could run studded winter tires but it turns out Nokian discontinued the HAKKAPELIITTA 8 and there are no rear sizes for the HAKKAPELIITTA 9.

So I figure maybe I could purchase two more front wheels and run 255/45/19 all around. The rear wheels would be pushed in 12.7mm from stock.

I could just live with that or purchase spacers? Would the AWD system care, the overall diameter from stock remains the same?

 

I ran Hakka R3 SUV 20” on a stock staggered setup on my Macan this past winter and they were fantastic. Our Minnesota roads clear snow pretty quickly so it is more about cold temps and ice than deep snow. I am taking delivery of a panny soon with 21s and I need to decide if I am going to run sottozeros or try to get a different winter wheel setup.

I assume that if you are wanting to run studded tires, that is ok in your local. Here in MN it is a no-go. You know your driving conditions better but I was pretty happy with non-studded Hakkas.

 

Yes, overall tire diameter does matter. PSM will complain if the dimensions are too far out of spec. You live pretty far north to require studded tires?

 

Studded tires are legal where I live and I've had them on an M5 before.

For the last two winters with the Panamera I've been running Michelin Alpin on 20" stock wheels. It's a fantastic winter tire that feels like a summer tire. But I've had 4-5 white knuckle moments that I know for a fact would have been a non-issue with studded tires.

 

I'm guessing you're aware you will increase over-steer when you go square?

 

I also run the Michelin Alpin's but in 19" size and they are fantastic on snow and ice covered roads. Lot's of experience in heavy mid-winter snow and no white-knuckle experiences so far. I wonder if the lower sidewall on 20" fitment impacts traction? You might want to consider going to the narrower and taller 19" tires for improved winter traction.

 

Sounds like going square might not be worth the effort. I'll purchase the 19" version of the Michelin Alpin and stay stock.

On the plus side they're $750 CDN cheaper than the 20".

 

Excellent decision.

 

This winter i went with factory staggered dimension on 20's with Michelin Apline.
Due to the weird 971 offset. getting the right wheel was complicated. And figure i should keep the balance that Porsche recommended.
So even at 315's in the back, i was surprised how it performed in deep snow and ice. I did not notice any compromise here in the Montreal weather.
I am very happy i when with the factory winter dimension in 20's.

 

I didn't want to make it sound like the 20" Alpin were necessarily a bad tire. It's one of the best non-studded winters I've had. And I've probably tried 15 different winter tires.

I live in a suburb of Quebec city, literally on top of a mountain. I've never been to the arctic circle but I can't imagine our winters are any different.

I prefer studded tires simply because they stop on ice.

 

Are you near Mount St Anne by chance? I was supposed to run a bunch of downhill ski races there but never made it - only hiked it in the summer and some waterfalls near a hydro station. Beautiful part of the world and the oldest road in North America IIRC...

 

St. Anne has awesome skiing and equally awesome mountain biking.

 

I'm 45 minutes out from there. Great ski hill, there's an even better one a little further out called Le Massif. Outside of the Rockies it's one of the nicest I've seen. It sits at the foot of the St-Lawrence river. The pictures don't do the view justice.

As for the road you're probably referring to the Chemin du Roy, which is now road 138. Built in the early 1700's. I didn't know it was the first road in North America but wouldn't be surprised.

 

Awesome pic - can't ever get tired of those views! Glad you were able to enjoy a powder day