Decided to drive my Boxster S in the New England Winter!

[2001boxsters]

Before you try to talk me out of it .... take a look at these..

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2006/01/23/winter-test-2005-porsche-boxster.htm

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/07q2/2005_porsche_boxster_s-long-term_road_test/performance_page_4


I'm going to be using Bridgestone Blizzaks LM-60 on 18" rims.

[JTP]

I'm all for it! If you have proper tires you shouldn't have a problem till the snow depth becomes a problem. I drove my '83 Supra and '85 928S throughout the NE winters during the '80s and there were only a handful of times when I thought, 'oh $hit! Why am I driving this in the snow'. Drove those cars to VT to ski a few times. Just remember to rinse off the underbody whener possible. There were a few Porsches that drove year round in Alaska when I lived there too. Properly setup the did very well in the snow and cold. I'm in Maryland now and have no plans to store my Boxster this winter.

[2001boxsters]

What tires are you going to use JP?

[extanker]

Originally Posted by JTP

I'm all for it! If you have proper tires you shouldn't have a problem till the snow depth becomes a problem. I drove my '83 Supra and '85 928S throughout the NE winters during the '80s and there were only a handful of times when I thought, 'oh $hit! Why am I driving this in the snow'. Drove those cars to VT to ski a few times. Just remember to rinse off the underbody whener possible. There were a few Porsches that drove year round in Alaska when I lived there too. Properly setup the did very well in the snow and cold. I'm in Maryland now and have no plans to store my Boxster this winter.

this reply about says it all

[JTP]

Ideally I would have liked dedicated snow tires on separate 17" rims but I don't have the luxury right now so I just got a set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS performance all seasons. Tire Rack gave very good reviews on it. They do have softer sidewalls though and it was noticeable the first day I drove on them. So far I've noticed very good traction on cold wet roads. I drive to Buffalo about 1-2 times per month so when I hit snow in the next few weeks I'll let you know how they do.

[Highlow]

Go to an empty parking lot and enjoy!

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by JTP

Ideally I would have liked dedicated snow tires on separate 17" rims but I don't have the luxury right now so I just got a set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS performance all seasons. Tire Rack gave very good reviews on it. They do have softer sidewalls though and it was noticeable the first day I drove on them. So far I've noticed very good traction on cold wet roads. I drive to Buffalo about 1-2 times per month so when I hit snow in the next few weeks I'll let you know how they do.

Those tires will stick to dry/wet roads down to 20 degrees just fine and even do ok in a dusting of snow or modest slush.

On this car, they will not do well at all in 1-2 inches of snow, packed snow, snow + ice, or most other common conditions in the winter in that area. Those tires get "good" snow reviews for dealing with 1-2 inches on 3200 pound cars with far narrower tires than yours and with FWD.

Do not expect those tires to provide you with safe transportation on anything but plowed, salted roads with minimal accumulation.

Sorry to be a bad news bear, I'm just forewarning you...

Joe

[JTP]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Those tires will stick to dry/wet roads down to 20 degrees just fine and even do ok in a dusting of snow or modest slush.

On this car, they will not do well at all in 1-2 inches of snow, packed snow, snow + ice, or most other common conditions in the winter in that area. Those tires get "good" snow reviews for dealing with 1-2 inches on 3200 pound cars with far narrower tires than yours and with FWD.

Do not expect those tires to provide you with safe transportation on anything but plowed, salted roads with minimal accumulation.

Sorry to be a bad news bear, I'm just forewarning you...

Joe

Thanks Joe, I never expected the Boxster to handle in the snow like my FWD Golf does. I know I won't driving like normal in the winter, rather I expected the tires to allow me to crawl through the snow as needed. Anything more than 2-3 inches and it won't matter what tires are on the car. It doesn't mean a Porsche has to be parked through the winter, you need to exercise judgement when venturing out in the winter in any car but particularly in a Boxster.
I've been driving since '84 and spent many winters in the NE, Buffalo, and Alaska so I'm not new to winter conditions. I also have my VW GTI and a '74 Bronco for those heavy snow days.

[fatmike]

I find the Boxster to be terrific in the snow.

When it slides (usually intentionally based on the driver's input), its very predictable. I find it tracks very straight, and also climbs hills exceptionally well for a RWD car.

I run dedicated snow tires on 17" wheels.

The Boxster is night-and-day better in the snow than any BMW I've owned. I believe its better than my wife's FWD Honda with all-season tires.



/

[2001boxsters]

Originally Posted by fatmike

I find the Boxster to be terrific in the snow.

When it slides (usually intentionally based on the driver's input), its very predictable. I find it tracks very straight, and also climbs hills exceptionally well for a RWD car.

I run dedicated snow tires on 17" wheels.

The Boxster is night-and-day better in the snow than any BMW I've owned. I believe its better than my wife's FWD Honda with all-season tires.



/

Wow that makes me feel a lot better! I will also be runnin 17" alloys with Winter tires (Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25/60)

I found my BMW to be very good in snow with just Conti Pro Contacts. I went up a 45 degree grade in a blizzard without any slip. If the porsche is better thats just awesome!

[ekam]

Originally Posted by fatmike

The Boxster is night-and-day better in the snow than any BMW I've owned.
/

FR layout is the worst layout for snow. Of course they sell BMWs with all-wheel-drive now.

[DennisW]

I bought a set of used 16" OEM rims and just had a set of Nokian WR's mounted. I have had these tires on my 03 BMW 530i and love them. They're not all out snow tires but pushed that rear wheel drive/front engined car thru some pretty heavy snowstorms. The Nokians are also Porsche approved for winter tires.

[Lobo1186]

Now if only Top Gear can get a Boxster to the north pole!

[JTP]

You can try these genuine Tequipment chains:

[AndyA6]

Originally Posted by Lobo1186

Now if only Top Gear can get a Boxster to the north pole!

I am such a Top Gear Fan!

Anyways, just one word............ WINTERTIRES!!!! And you are good to go, this from a Utah guy.

I drove FWD (GTi), RWD (BMW), AWD (TReg etc.) and what not, incl. a C4 and a C2 (thats Porsches, guys), all with wintertires, and it works very well.

I also like the parkinglot advice, do this with the family incl, kids all the time.
Later,
Andy

[stuklr]

I just worry about the soft back window in the cold temps. As for snow travel there is on substitute for QUATTRO. My old URS4 will go just about anywhere until the snow manages to clear the hood. There is a guy i work with though that runs his 996 C4S all year round. With the right tires I would expect our mid-engined 986's to go very well. They get great traction. It would be the stopping and turning part i would be skeptical of.

[JTP]

Originally Posted by stuklr

I just worry about the soft back window in the cold temps.

as long as you don't try yo operate the top and be careful when clearing the snow off you shouldn't have a problem. I used my soft top Bronco in -30F temps and my windows never broke. Top was not new either.