911 Turbo Snow Tires

[philipguziec]

Since my 930 is my only car (I don't drive much), and I live in Chicago, I find myself facing the question of whether or not to put snow tires on the car. Anyone have any experience with S01s in the snow? I anticipate only the rare occasion of having to drive in the snow, and if the snow is deep and I absolutely have to go, I'll just rent a car or spring for the $100 cab ride. Is it worth getting a set of high-perf all seasons for the spare BBS rims that I got with the car?

Phil

[masraum]

I think you are definitely in need of some snow tires if you are going to drive the 930 in the snow. I have heard stated here several times from the northern guys that you shouldn't even bother with all season, just go straight to snows. You'll probably also be best off with some skinnier wheels in the back.

[Rot 911]

I don't have a turbo, but I drive my '86 in the winter. Tried driving with the S03's and that was a scary experience in the snow. Got a spare pair of Fuchs and now I have Blizzaks, a pure winter performance snow tire. Difference is night and day. With that engine in the back I can drive confidently in the snow. I agree with going with the skinniest tires you can mount on the rims.

[philipguziec]

Related question, then. I know fuchs 16" rims fit over the calipers. Will the skinnier rims fit? Do the offsets matter? I think I'll just spring for a set of used skinny fuchs rims and some blizzaks.

[mb911]

Man just buy a 500 dollar beater and call it good. That poor 930. I know you are thinking what a jerk but it will ultimatly be the demise of that car. Trust me I know I live in wisconsin. I know many drive there cars in the winter it just does not seam right to me! Sorry just had to respond.

[philipguziec]

Is there a difference in bolt pattern or offset between 944 fuchs and 911 fuchs?

[mb911]

No it has a different off set it would probably work but It may look a little funney

[dean]

Originally posted by mb911
That poor 930. I know you are thinking what a jerk but it will ultimatly be the demise of that car. Trust me I know I live in wisconsin. I know many drive there cars in the winter it just does not seam right to me! Sorry just had to respond.

I agree with Ben. There is no faster way to ruin a car than drive it on salty roads with a bunch of idiots in AWD vehicles who think they can do anything.

I get a rental in your case

Dean

[Bez]

Putting aside the 'why would you even try it?" debate...

I used to drive my 911 in the winter when I lived in Boston since it was my only car. Snow tires are an absolute requirement (let's just say we learn from our mistakes).

[mb911]

I may not be able to sleep tonight. Doh I just keep thinking out loud!

[bento]

$500 winter beater anyone?
i suggest early civic or something equally easy to park on a street and not care about.

or more to california and alleviate yourself of these problems.

db

[mb911]

84 vw gti is a really fun winter beater and you could get one for under 1000 bucks.

[philipguziec]

Look guys, I've owned 8 cars at one time, and I've done the winter beater thing. A $1000 winter beater will take another $1000 per year in maintenance, fees, etc. More importantly I'll probably waste 20 hours a year maintaining it and the added complication to my life, which is worth a heck of a lot more to me than a grand. Plus, I'd have to drive a piece of crap when I do need to drive in the winter, and I have to take a couple of long trips every Jan.

I've got less in my 930 than a mid-luxury suv, it depreciates a lot more slowly even when driven in the winter. The car is double sided galvanized so it will fare as well as a modern car in the winter, it gets hand washed by a nice shop once a week including special attention to the underside for salt. I had an 83 300sd that saw a lot of salt in Chicago for 20 years, and it held up just fine. In the winter, I drive less than once a week. I drove a supercharged Mustang in the winter on eagle mud+snows for years so I think I can handle this sucker off-boost with a weight bias over the drive wheels. If it gets trashed in 5 years and I sell it for nothing and buy another one, it will have been well worth owning. It's just a bunch of metal and plastic guys, it's cheaper than a new car of anywhere near the fun and, if this is how I want to spend my cash instead of flushing it away on a new Mercedes, so be it.

By the way, back on topic, it looks like Dunlop Winter Sport M3s on stock 911 fuchs will be the way I'll go for the winter.

[cegerer]

LIfe's too short - get the Blizzaks, drive the 930. And drive it hard.

[KevinS]

I'm with cegerer. I know what you mean about the added expensive and headaches of another vehicle. I leave here in Hawaii and have two cars, between maintenance, registration, insurance and parking the 2nd car cost me $400.00/month. When I first bought my 911 in Washington it was my only driver. I like to ski and drove it up to the resorts all the time, I still have one of those funky ski rakes that goes on back. I just loved pulling into the parking lot it. I still have the car and it has no rust, I was pretty faithful about hitting the car washes though. But yes, get the Blizzaks. PS-I was at Whistler when I heard that familiar 911 sound, I turned too look and it was a C4. They had just plowed the rode and there was a large burm of snow in front of the hotel entrance, the guy got on it a little and went right over it all four wheels spinning, great sight to see.

[philipguziec]

You've got one of those cool ski racks? Would it fit over the whaletail? I hear you can still get a baby seat for an old 911 in Europe. Just preparing myself against future "reasons" for getting rid of the car.

[gar]

Check the owner's manual for the sizes that'll fit.

Mine said to go with 185/70's, (84 3.2) but given that there was no selection in that size, I'm going with Dunlop Wintersports in 195/65, mounted on some 15" phone dials that I picked up from Parts Heaven.

[philipguziec]

Good idea. I'll check my owner's manual.

I think I need 16s to fit over my brakes. I just want to make sure the offsets are okay and don't mess up the bearings.

[fiminod]

Michelin Pilot Alpins. I put them on my Alpina B9 and nave had no issues in over 6 inches of the white stuff and were very responsive on the days it was dry.

[david c.]

I had a set of Gislaveds when I had my 3.2 Carrera although I never got a chance to test it out. But my buddy has the same tires (NordFrost somethingorothers) and he loves them.