[Arnold_T]

definitely 18" wheels (for better traction on ice and snow, and better pothole protection). so option 2 or 3, depending whether you really care that much about the look of the rims or the brand of rubber (the rubber doesn't really matter that much - all pretty similar, and all way better than summers or all seasons).

 

[santastico]

I did option 3 with BBS wheels and ContiContact tires. Could not be happier.

 

[FSP]

Anyone know for certain if 18" wheels will work on a GTS? Wondering about fit over the larger calipers. Anyone tried 18" wheels on their GTS?
Thanks

 

[Roadster]

I like option 3. The BBS wheels look good and the Pirelli Winter Scorpions perform well in winter conditions. Done 2 winters on them so far and I've been very happy with the performance.

That's a really nice setup you've got there. Too bad the BBS center caps are black. They should be ferric grey like the rest of the rim.

Had you noticed this or is it just me being picky? (If you didn't, sorry that I pointed this to you...>)

 

[kite pilot]

definitely 18" wheels (for better traction on ice and snow, and better pothole protection). so option 2 or 3, depending whether you really care that much about the look of the rims or the brand of rubber (the rubber doesn't really matter that much - all pretty similar, and all way better than summers or all seasons).

Why would 18" wheels provide better traction? Does anyone know of any tests on what would be the optimal wheel size and tire aspect ratio to vehicle weight?

My 20's work great and for me no need for a smaller tire. I have a steep driveway with three switchbacks at 8700 feet and it climbs right up. A lot of the time you're on plowed or dry roads anyway.

The type of rubber (tire) can matter, though all certainly better than summer or all season. My Blizzaks had good traction but poorer performance on dry roads and at speed. My current Michelin Alpins are good in snow (though not quite as good as the Blizzaks) and really good on dry roads at speed. Consumer Reports does testing on tires and finds significant differences in traction/braking, etc.

 

[Arnold_T]

Why would 18" wheels provide better traction? ...
The type of rubber (tire) does matter.

physics. 18s are not as wide. more pressure per square inch on the road surface.


as a friend from Sweden says "Ask any ice racing professional or look at the winter rally cars. No low profile, tarmac tires there."


check out links like ...

Winter Tech Information - Size Selection of Winter / Snow Tires

https://www.kaltire.com/what-is-minus-sizing/



but winter tires on 21s are better than summer tires on 18s!

and sure, the choice of rubber does matter a bit. I'm just saying it doesn't really matter that much. and what rubber you choose might depend on where you live and the type of winter conditions you encounter most of the time. I've read all the reports and reviews, and the report I liked the best was the one that compared a set of All seasons to a bunch of winter tires. basically all the winter tires were great, and the All Season was terrible. I've used Blizzaks a lot in the past and like them a lot (though after 50% wear they perform just like all seasons). I'm going with the Michelins this time just for the noise factor.

 

[mjordnung]

I went with 4 Axis Model Two wheels all 19x8.5 (they are close to the same look as my 20" spyders) and the Blizzak DM-V2. This way I can rotate fronts to rears and I was always happy with Blizzaks on my BMWs. $1.942 including shipping from Tire Rack plus $100 back. Again do what makes you happy, that is why we buy these cars.

 

[2thguy]

I've used Blizzaks a lot in the past, but after 50% wear they perform just like all seasons. .

I totally agree. I used to try and get 4 winters out of a set and by the fourth winter there was definitely a noticeable drop off in their ability to grip. First time with Pirelli and have only one winter with them but they worked well.

 

[kite pilot]

Thanks @Arnold_T I've seen that before, but it's coming from a wheel/tire company that has a vested interest in selling more wheels/tires and isn't based on any data that I see. Sure it makes some common sense that a narrower tire could "plow" through the snow easier, but what about the traction in that deeper snow and especially traction on snow packed and icy roads which is where you'll be driving most of the time. I'm not sure more pressure per sq. inch is better in snow than spreading the traction out on all wheels more so they don't slip.

 

[Arnold_T]

...isn't based on any data that I see.

yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing a scientific test too. maybe there are some ice racing professionals or winter rally car drivers here that know of such a study?

 

[rhoyle]

18s aren't always narrower than 19s or 20s. So be careful there. For your application, I would go with the continental DWS06 AS tires. You're going to be a LOT happier on them on dry roads than you would winter tires. And they provide more than adequate wet/snow traction for your occasional use.

 

[santastico]

I have the BBS wheels in gray and the original Porsche center caps fits perfectly. I never used the BBS ones on mine.

That's a really nice setup you've got there. Too bad the BBS center caps are black. They should be ferric grey like the rest of the rim.

Had you noticed this or is it just me being picky? (If you didn't, sorry that I pointed this to you...>)

 

[Arnold_T]

18s aren't always narrower than 19s or 20s. .

I think the OEM Porsche Macan rims are the same width at 18 and 19, and wider at 20 and 21

 

[Arnold_T]

re: tires on winter rally cars, check out this video ...

I don't think you could get those rims/tire sizes to work on the Macan though.

 

[rhoyle]

I think the OEM Porsche Macan rims are the same width at 18 and 19, and wider at 20 and 21

You are correct as far as the OEM rims but it's not the rim width that matters as much as the tire width. And even then, one brands 245 may be the same as another's 235. And there is nothing stopping someone from finding a tire on a 20" rim that's the same width as the OEM 18

Regarding your video, the first step here should be an honest assessment of the conditions one drives in. If that's what you encounter on a day to day basis then perhaps a rally car is appropriate. But the OP lives in a climate that rarely sees freezing temperatures, much less accumulations of snow. The occasional trip on what I assume to be maintained roads in a colder climate doesn't justify a tire selection that will be compromised on the normal surfaces.

 

[Arnold_T]

the OP lives in a climate that rarely sees freezing temperatures, much less accumulations of snow. The occasional trip on what I assume to be maintained roads in a colder climate doesn't justify a tire selection that will be compromised on the normal surfaces.

agree completely. for his climate I'd probably go with a performance winter tire like Pirelli rather than Blizzaks.


it doesn't have to get down to freezing temps for winter tires to perform better than summer tires, but it's true that the biggest worry for me is ice (especially black ice). it's around zero degrees (32 Fahrenheit) when things are most dangerous. it's way less slippery on the roads in mid-winter at -20 degrees when you can hear the snow crunching under your tires. same as on the ski slope. skis don't slide as easily at -20 as they do near freezing.

 

[rhoyle]

Oh, we agree. Summer tires are hockey pucks whenever the roadway is below 45 or so. But the key is the roadway, not the ambient temperatures.

I would put the Continental DWS06 up against any performance winter in dry conditions such as a NorCal January.

 

[Arnold_T]

I would put the Continental DWS06 up against any performance winter in dry conditions such as a NorCal January.

except he said he goes up to Tahoe in the winter, where they have real winter conditions. I don't know. If I lived in Northern California I might just go all seasons like you suggest, and carry chains for winter mountain roads.

 

[RJE]

Anyone know for certain if 18" wheels will work on a GTS? Wondering about fit over the larger calipers. Anyone tried 18" wheels on their GTS?
Thanks

I got a note from my dealership yesterday as a matter of fact. They tried fitting Porsche 18" rims on a GTS and indicated they work just fine. Note that this is second hand info - I'd be interested to hear if anyone has firsthand experience with 18" Porsche rims on a GTS.

 

[Arnold_T]

... fitting Porsche 18" rims on a GTS and indicated they work just fine.

I think it depends on whether you have ceramic brakes or not. in the configurator for the Macan S (on the Canadian or German sites) I can have 18" wheels, but as soon as I add ceramic brakes it forces me to change wheel size to 19+