[kmacuk]

[FONT=&quot]I am interested in finding those who run as a daily driver all year round what you do to prepare and what are your thoughts on tyres/wheels:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Currently we run our TT all year and we don’t run winter wheels or tyres, but as its a front wheel drive it performs pretty well even in snow. We have never owned a rear wheel drive car and its our first Porsche.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]With the 718’s low end torque and big rear wheels we are thinking winter tyres or winter wheels are a must – yes?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We previously owned a a mini SD and we purchased a set of winters wheels - they looked pretty poor compared to our normal wheels and couldn’t wait to change in spring. Also wet weather performance and noise poorer than summer tyres – when you live in Scotland you need good wet performance so a factor. Winters not so common either and our roads are salted so snow never last long normally a day or two at worst.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If winters are the way to go then a set of 18" wheels are a potential (easy) option; we would probably prefer the 19's, but big premium on these. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Alternatively we could just change the tyres to winters does do that instead? We have a friendly garage who we trust not to damage our wheels if we go this route and at a very reasonable cost. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Rimless Frozen Windows: Although we have a garage we tend to leave our TT on the drive, with minimal frost we have problems with the windows freezing and not dropping to allow the door to open; the TT forum is littered with posts on this issue, it seems to be a common issue with many manufacturers’ rimless windows. I have not seen any similar posts reported on this forum, so is that because its not a Porsche problem or does everyone garage their car so it’s a non issue?[/FONT]

 

[Nosmo]

@kmacuk - I have opted for the 18" winter wheels & tyres (£1958 incl tax) as like you, the car is my daily drive. I haven't seen them yet, they will be fitted during the week of the 17th. I'll post a picture. The size gives you more side wall and with the UK roads in the desperate state they are (Scotland might be better) every little bit helps. The GTS comes standard on 20". The price difference aside, the pliancy of the 18" was more important.



I don't fit the winter tyres because the snow in Kent is so bad, far from it. The rubber is softer and deals with the wet, greasy roads better than summer rubber.



I have owned a Merc CLK (2002) and this had frameless door windows. I have used vaseline in the past on the rubbers to ensure they wouldn't freeze shut and shatter the glass when pulled hard inadvertently. I was going to do the same on the 718.

 

[johan]

@kmacuk - I have opted for the 18" winter wheels & tyres (£1958 incl tax) as like you, the car is my daily drive. I haven't seen them yet, they will be fitted during the week of the 17th. I'll post a picture. The size gives you more side wall and with the UK roads in the desperate state they are (Scotland might be better) every little bit helps. The GTS comes standard on 20". The price difference aside, the pliancy of the 18" was more important.



I don't fit the winter tyres because the snow in Kent is so bad, far from it. The rubber is softer and deals with the wet, greasy roads better than summer rubber.



I have owned a Merc CLK (2002) and this had frameless door windows. I have used vaseline in the past on the rubbers to ensure they wouldn't freeze shut and shatter the glass when pulled hard inadvertently. I was going to do the same on the 718.

We do the same in Sweden

 

[Scubaregs]

Personally, after driving a GT86 in the "beast from the east" last winter, I bought a mini as a DD but specifically for winter.

You are spending a lot of money on your Porsche, do you really think it is worth risking it in a Scottish winter?

Bear in mind, it could be someone else sliding into you.

 

[kmacuk]

Scottish winters consist mostly of rain (like th erest of the year) the past few years - with the odd exception. The Scottish climate seems to be making snow less likely and into February and evenMarch now, If that changes we have alternatives available to us with a pool of cars in our household that we can swap between.


Lifes a risk and spending so much on the car means we want to be driving it every day - rain or shine , but I understand your alternative approach; we do however want to minimise risk where we can, hence the thought on winter wheels/tyres.

 

[Uz718]

This is a good thread...

I run my car all year round and do a full 20,000 miles a year.

I tried to do winter tyres this year, but they don't do the N Rated 20 265 35 for my carrera s alloys and the OPC point blank said no n Rated tyres no warranty on the drive train?!

So, I put a fresh set of Goodyear Eagle F1s and they have been fantastic even in the cold and wet. Also my front pads and discs are nearing time to change but I'm doing it now

Other than that, I do a paint prep (machine polish) and a Ceramic coat top up and that's all

 

[johan]

This is a good thread...

I run my car all year round and do a full 20,000 miles a year.

I tried to do winter tyres this year, but they don't do the N Rated 20 265 35 for my carrera s alloys and the OPC point blank said no n Rated tyres no warranty on the drive train?!

So, I put a fresh set of Goodyear Eagle F1s and they have been fantastic even in the cold and wet. Also my front pads and discs are nearing time to change but I'm doing it now

Other than that, I do a paint prep (machine polish) and a Ceramic coat top up and that's all

Say What?!
That cant be right, it should be stated in the manual in that case!

 

[Uz718]

This is a good thread...

I run my car all year round and do a full 20,000 miles a year.

I tried to do winter tyres this year, but they don't do the N Rated 20 265 35 for my carrera s alloys and the OPC point blank said no n Rated tyres no warranty on the drive train?!

So, I put a fresh set of Goodyear Eagle F1s and they have been fantastic even in the cold and wet. Also my front pads and discs are nearing time to change but I'm doing it now

Other than that, I do a paint prep (machine polish) and a Ceramic coat top up and that's all

Say What?!
That cant be right, it should be stated in the manual in that case!

I made a thread about it briefly... I point blank asked the Porsche dealer about it and the service advisor said don't do it because they won't honor warranty claims blah blah all that jazz

 

[kmacuk]

That’s interesting, I run Eagle F1's whenever I change tyres on our other car; I hate the Hankooks Audi put on.

If I am reading correctly are you saying you can only get N rated winter tyres if you buy 18" or presumably 19" wheels?

Doing 20k/year without winters and running Eagles would also seem to suggest that winter tyres might not be a requirement for "normal" winter weather in the UK ( not major snow falls)? Non-motorway, daily commute.

Also as far as protection is concerned we are doing the OPC to deliver our new car directly to our detailer for: new car prep, Expel PPF full front/sides plus (new to us) Fenylab self healing ceramic coating - anyone used this? Our detailer is recommending - we normally do Gtechniq/Exo ceramic.

 

[Lordjohnny]

@kmacuk - I have opted for the 18" winter wheels & tyres (£1958 incl tax) as like you, the car is my daily drive. I haven't seen them yet, they will be fitted during the week of the 17th. I'll post a picture. The size gives you more side wall and with the UK roads in the desperate state they are (Scotland might be better) every little bit helps. The GTS comes standard on 20". The price difference aside, the pliancy of the 18" was more important.



I don't fit the winter tyres because the snow in Kent is so bad, far from it. The rubber is softer and deals with the wet, greasy roads better than summer rubber.



I have owned a Merc CLK (2002) and this had frameless door windows. I have used vaseline in the past on the rubbers to ensure they wouldn't freeze shut and shatter the glass when pulled hard inadvertently. I was going to do the same on the 718.

I’m also thinking of getting a set of winters when my car is finally delivered in January (was supposed to be before Christmas)
What made you opt for the 18s over the 19s was it the extra rubber in the wall ?

 

[Uz718]

That’s interesting, I run Eagle F1's whenever I change tyres on our other car; I hate the Hankooks Audi put on.

If I am reading correctly are you saying you can only get N rated winter tyres if you buy 18" or presumably 19" wheels?

Doing 20k/year without winters and running Eagles would also seem to suggest that winter tyres might not be a requirement for "normal" winter weather in the UK ( not major snow falls)? Non-motorway, daily commute.

Also as far as protection is concerned we are doing the OPC to deliver our new car directly to our detailer for: new car prep, Expel PPF full front/sides plus (new to us) Fenylab self healing ceramic coating - anyone used this? Our detailer is recommending - we normally do Gtechniq/Exo ceramic.

Hi mate,

Yes, you can only get N Rated winter tyres on 18/19".

I do varied driving not particularly heavy on motorways. I did use the car in the heavy snow we had in March this year, with a light touch on the pedal I was absolutely fine. In the wet provided being sensible, again, the car is absolutely fine. I don't run the tyres down to the legal limit, I change them about 2.0-2.5mm though and that also helps... The

I've heard of Kenzo self healing ceramic coating, not the Fenylab. If you do get this done, please post pics!

 

[Nosmo]

@Lordjohnny - Extra tyre wall was the main driver and the price difference is also a factor - a grand fills the tank about a dozen times .


18" without PCGB discount is £2176 and the 19" comes out at £3156. If you're a PCGB member you get the 10% discount which on a set of rims pays the membership fee a couple of times over.



The 18" is also easier to clean. I am forever trying to keep the crud and salt off them (predominantly the latter).

 

[Lordjohnny]

@Lordjohnny - Extra tyre wall was the main driver and the price difference is also a factor - a grand fills the tank about a dozen times .


18" without PCGB discount is £2176 and the 19" comes out at £3156. If you're a PCGB member you get the 10% discount which on a set of rims pays the membership fee a couple of times over.



The 18" is also easier to clean. I am forever trying to keep the crud and salt off them (predominantly the latter).

Would be great to see a picture of your car with the 18s on Nosmo

 

[Nosmo]

Will post once ready. Firstly the car is going get detailed and PPFd next week with a 15/12 pick up, then off to the Gaydon meeting to meet some other forum members. Wheel swap hopefully later that week...

 

[Gtipirelli]

Nosmo

Mine also had a PPF just after I bought it, will be washing it tomorrow so will see how the front end has stood up to the usual road grime over the last 1500 miles

Will be good to compare the protection film when we meet at Gaydon

 

[kmacuk]

[FONT=&quot]We have had Expel full front on our TT (4yrs, 40k miles) and it looks as perfect as the day we had it installed. Transparent. Come trade in time however it’s not increased the value one bit - we purchased, maybe would have helped on PCP/lease return, but OPC could not really care less - mileage and no obvious damage much more relevant than no swirls, pampered washing, PPF & recent detailed shine . Our car at almost 4yrs old looks better than a brand new one.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We will get our car delivered direct to detailer for Expel again & Fenylab self heal ceramic coating.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Wheel question:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Do 981 winter wheels fit on a 982 if we EBay purchase? If yes will the TPMS able compatible? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I Think after March collection we will plan to pick up a set of Porsche 18" wheels and winters, 19" look better, but not 50% better. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Ultimately winter tyres should be a cost neutral purchase after the initial outlay - with extended summer life and resale on EBay of wheels. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]On one of our test drives we drove summer standard wheels in around 7c temp and felt a bit of a wheel slip when testing on our daily route, we are used to front wheel drive and it would have been fine on the same corner, reminded us we had a rear, PSM handled it fine, but had it been colder maybe it would have been more dramatic - winters worth it based on this alone, despite the aesthetic hit and bit of hassle changing & storing.[/FONT]

 

[kmacuk]

Its booked in for end of February pics will be posted


Want to be impressed with a non-PPF coating check this out and our detailer confirms this is accurate

 

[Grasshopper]

The thing to bear in mind is that, the 718 is basically a rear engine, rear wheel drive car. Forget the mid-engine stuff which leads you to believe that it's going to perform worse than a front-engine, front wheel drive car like your Audi. The thing about the 718 is that it's a "mid-driver car" - so the weight of the occupants doesn't spoil the car's weight distribution, and you have all the heavy bits, like the engine and people concentrated in the middle. That way you get a lower polar moment of inertia - as they say.

I had a Toyota MR2 and I was also dubious about how well it would work in snow, but it was actually very good. If you look at it logically the so-called mid-engine car is just a front engine car turned the other way round. In fact that's exactly what the MR2 was - a front engine transverse, front wheel drive turned round. And it performed better in the snow than the FWD cars because, when you're going uphill, the driver's weight gets thrown onto the back wheels (the driving wheels). It was a surprise to me how good it was.

However I've yet to try my Cayman in snow. The main thing that worries me is the sheer size of the tyre contact patch - these wheels are 10" wide and have a very large diameter. That's definitely going to make them struggle for grip more than the skinny tyres on the MR2. The other thing is that, as I found out, some tyres are very bad in snow because of their composition. I haven't looked up how good Pirelli P-Zeroes are in low temperatures but I suspect that they're bad. It seems to depend mainly on how much silica is in the compound.

But the worst car I've ever had for snow was the Merc SL. Completely useless. It was the combination of front engine, RWD, wide tyres, wrong tyres and a traction control that intervened preventing you from using the throttle to control the grip. I'm pretty sure that the 718 will be very much better. I'll give it a go before I spend money on winter tyres anyway.

 

[Nosmo]

...... I'll give it a go before I spend money on winter tyres anyway.

"A go" meaning what? Until you hear a crunching sound which will cost more to repair than a set of winters? As it occurs to me, the tyres are the only thing between you and the road - summer and winter. I am not disputing driving skills etc. etc, I only see this as a safety feature. You can't control everything, there is always the possiblility of someone driving into you - even more so in the winter with a little grime / snow on the ground. This is something you can control.


@Grasshopper - I am not having a go - far from it. My personal perspective is that I started driving on winter tyres in the late 80s when family worked for Vredestein and they started producing their winter tyres - I received cheap sets. Having noticed the benefits over many winter miles, it has become my winter default setting.

 

[kmacuk]

[FONT=&quot]Agree - 10" wide tyres are far from ideal and the smaller wheel diameter does nothing to reduce this. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Greater wheel wall for comfort and some wheel protection plus cost means 18" is probably the way to go.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Mid engine sounds logically like it should be better than rear wheel/front engine. Not sure its better than front wheel drive based on our drive albeit limited, [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Now we are aware that tyres (winter N rated) are not an option on 20" wheels I expect we will go down the 18" genuine 718 wheels at the end of 2019. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Might also look to see how much of a premium Porsche charge for the storage & change service, probably too much so will DIY on the change and storage most likely. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Good tip on the PCGB 10% discount [/FONT]