Winter Wheel/Tyre Size Advice

Wheels, Tyres, Suspension, Chassis, Issues and Fixes
GTB
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Post by GTB »

Morning All,

Firstly apologies if this has been asked before, but wish to get this right first time before spending the money.

Given where I stay and roads around my home investment in a set of winter wheels and tyres makes total sense and will store the set not in use at the time and just swap the wheels over depending on time of year/temperatures etc.

Now having just taken delivery of my new Macan Gen3 GTS it has 21" summer tyres and air suspension of course, what size winter wheels would you advise I get 20" or 19"??

Few steep hills with sharp bends on and previous cars have been stuck in the drive for days when we get snow, albeit my little Kia Diesel works miracles at times getting me to a main road.

I have read all the threads on winter/summer/all season tyres till Im exhausted so dont want to waste time on that debate its just the wheel size 20" or 19"?

Thanks GTB
Current Macan GTS Collected July 2022 https://www.porsche.com/microsite/porsc ... =/PNM4GBM0

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pmg
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Post by pmg »

GTB wrote: Mon Aug 08, 2022 11:53 am Morning All,

Firstly apologies if this has been asked before, but wish to get this right first time before spending the money.

Given where I stay and roads around my home investment in a set of winter wheels and tyres makes total sense and will store the set not in use at the time and just swap the wheels over depending on time of year/temperatures etc.

Now having just taken delivery of my new Macan Gen3 GTS it has 21" summer tyres and air suspension of course, what size winter wheels would you advise I get 20" or 19"??

Few steep hills with sharp bends on and previous cars have been stuck in the drive for days when we get snow, albeit my little Kia Diesel works miracles at times getting me to a main road.

I have read all the threads on winter/summer/all season tyres till Im exhausted so dont want to waste time on that debate its just the wheel size 20" or 19"?

Thanks GTB
I would go with the 19's. as they both at front and rear tyres are narrow than the 20's and this helps with performance on snow. Look at the tyre widths Saab used to fit to their 96's and 99's. With the 20's you end up paying more for poorer bad weather performance
2019 Macan S Porsche code PKW8WKI8
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Wing Commander
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Location: Wiltshire

Post by Wing Commander »

I’d say that 19”s will offer a more comfortable ride and be cheaper.

20”s will cost more and may offer marginally better handling, but possibly not in the snow.

I run 19” winter wheels/tyres on my 911.

Cheers,
Simon

Sold: 2016 Rhodium Silver Macan 2.0
Sold: 2013 Platinum Silver 911 (991.1) C2
Sold: 2017 Carmine Red Panamera 4
Mine: 991.2 Carrera T Racing Yellow 06/04/2018
GTB
Posts: 540
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Location: Scotland

Post by GTB »

pmg & Wing Commander,

Thanks for both your replies, much appreaciated, so 19" wheels they will be.


Cheers GTB
Current Macan GTS Collected July 2022 https://www.porsche.com/microsite/porsc ... =/PNM4GBM0
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SAC1
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Post by SAC1 »

GTB wrote: Mon Aug 08, 2022 7:03 pm pmg & Wing Commander,

Thanks for both your replies, much appreaciated, so 19" wheels they will be.


Cheers GTB
Best choice 19" winters - slightly narrower to cut through the snow, better ride quality on the taller sidewalls, slightly better mpg (less rolling resistance) vs 20" winters, kerbing damage to alloys marginally reduced. Lower wheel / tyre package cost and subsequent replacements less too.
Steve

2020 GTS in Sapphire Blue
(sold) 2017 SD in Rhodium Silver
GTB
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Post by GTB »

SAC1 wrote: Mon Aug 08, 2022 7:47 pm
GTB wrote: Mon Aug 08, 2022 7:03 pm pmg & Wing Commander,

Thanks for both your replies, much appreaciated, so 19" wheels they will be.


Cheers GTB
Best choice 19" winters - slightly narrower to cut through the snow, better ride quality on the taller sidewalls, slightly better mpg (less rolling resistance) vs 20" winters, kerbing damage to alloys marginally reduced. Lower wheel / tyre package cost and subsequent replacements less too.
Thanks Steve

Cheers GTB
Current Macan GTS Collected July 2022 https://www.porsche.com/microsite/porsc ... =/PNM4GBM0
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Nuclear Nick
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Post by Nuclear Nick »

Agree with advice on 19" for serious winter use as yours almost certainly will be! I've long been a Michelin fan so would be looking at Alpins.
Nick

Defender 90 V8

991.2 C2 GTS

Macan Turbo - sold

BMW K1300S, BMW R1250 GSA
On-Track
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Location: Staffordshire

Post by On-Track »

I used to run 18" winter wheels on my SD and they were really great. This size is clearly not an option for a GTS so I'd go with 19". When you swap back in the spring, for the first mile or so you'll be convinced there's something wrong as the ride on 21" will seem so much harder.

Not only is the smaller wheel, with the taller sidewall and narrower tread better for driving in snow, a set of 19" wheels is significantly cheaper than 20".
Peter

Current: 2020 Carmine Red GTS http://www.porsche-code.com/PMST9ZI9
Gone- 2015 Sapphire Blue Diesel
Gone -2013 Cayenne Diesel
james718gts
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Post by james718gts »

I’m going to go against the grain, and go with 20s. I’ve run both 19 and 20 on winters and didn’t notice a massive gain with the narrower 19s. Also, you chose 21s presumably because you like the larger alloy on your Macan. Why compromise 2-3 months of the year which a much smaller alloy?
Just my thoughts obviously :)
Definitely go with Alpins, I really rate those.
Current: Macan S (PPHWIVP8) and 997.1 C2S
Deposit: M3 Touring, 992.2 Carrera T
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pmg
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Post by pmg »

james718gts wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 11:22 pm . Also, you chose 21s presumably because you like the larger alloy on your Macan. Why compromise 2-3 months of the year which a much smaller alloy?
Just my thoughts obviously :)
Definitely go with Alpins, I really rate those.
21,s the standard wheel on Gen 3 GTS no option to choose lower

Ps have you actually driven on 20,s in heavy snow?
2019 Macan S Porsche code PKW8WKI8
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