Any Tyre Tips?

Guest · Feb 18, 2006

At 20,000 miles I need to buy my first replacement tyres. Boxster with Boxster S 17inch wheels.

The front ones are very low on tread, and the rears are OK but not far behind.

At present I have Michelin Pilot Sports. I don't do track days and am not really very demanding on tyres.

I am considering just getting the Porsche Centre at Guildford to replace the lot, rather than risk poor quality balancing, cheap valves etc at the local Quickfit. However I wondered if anyone had any experience to add. EG take the opportunity to switch to Pirelli's

Pat

Mark_Bennett · Feb 18, 2006

I drive from Farnborough to Elite Garages (near Horsham) to get my tyres - because they take care and know what they are doing.
I wouldn't trust Kwik-fit with any car - let alone the Porsche.

Others will chip-in with their own favourates I'm sure [

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You'll proabably find Guildford just use their local tyre place anyway. I'm not sure they have the facilities...?

Andy Tims · Feb 18, 2006

If it's not too far away Bracknell Tyres are very competitive, but they are a bit "blunt" to say the least. No problems with workmanship in my experience either. Make sure they use you guide rod (saves chipping the calipers).
As to tyre choice I will be buying Kumho Ecsta MX for my next road tyres on the GT3 - bloody brilliant VFM.

GMS · Feb 18, 2006

Hi not sure why you need new tyres at only 20,000 miles ,have they worn evenly across the tyre.
Only reason I ask is that have just replaced the fronts on my 2005 S after 22,000 miles and that was only due to the fact that after seven trackdays the edges have gone.Although I still had around 5mm of tread left.

Replaced they with Sport 2 245/45/18 at £129 inc balancing and fitting +vat.
Try giving Wembley tyres a call they were miles cheaper than anyone else.0208 459 6191

BrianJ · Feb 18, 2006

My March 2003 17" Pilot Sports lasted 39,500 of normal driving on the front and even then had 4mm across most of the tread but were worn out completely on the insides. I guess everyone's experiences of Kwik-Fit differ; my local one (Norwich) takes immense care, even replacing the rubber inserts on the wheel clamps first. I've had two sets of rears from them (19,500 each) and one set of fronts. On each occasion the wheels have been unmarked, the results perfectly balanced, and they have always been willing to beat mytyres.co.uk (the cheapest I have found anywhere) on the price of Pilot Sport N2s, given the opportunity! Following the uneven wear on the fronts I had all 4 wheels 3D aligned by a local specialist for £47. Fascinating to see they were all pointing in different directions (3 inside Porsche tolerance, one not). After adjustment the car feels and handles much better. Brian J.

Black80XSA · Feb 18, 2006

Michelin the most expensive option - Contis get mixed review, Pirelli are good wet and dry and more progressive at the limit. Given you got 20k from the rears you must be clocking the miles up on motorways or long A road trips. 20k is abot right for fronts, less for rears on an everyday day used in all situations.

Bracknell tyres well regarded btw

JCB.. · Feb 18, 2006

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

I wouldn't trust Kwik-fit with any car - let alone the Porsche.

I had a puncture in my first set of tyres - Michelins - back in October 2000. I took it to the first tyre shop I found which turned out to be Qwik Fit in Gloucester. Not only were they very careful not to damage the wheel, they repaired the puncture and refused to charge me. I ended up stuffing a tenner in the Christmas Box.

I've managed to puncture at least one of every pair of rear tyres that I've put on my car.

Mark_Bennett · Feb 19, 2006

Fair enough.

But our local one machined both front wheels on Claire's car all the way round the edge. [

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The wheels up to that point were perfect.[&o]
They also failed to be able to find the puncture in a rear tyre that I had pointed out to them.[8|]

As I've generally known more about tyres than the trainee Qwik-Fit get to fit them, and I usually had to argue that they fit stick-on weights to alloys ("Oh you didn't want hammer-ons sir?"), I'm wary of them and their like.

Guest · Feb 19, 2006

Thanks everyone for those responses.

To be honest I had expected much better tyre wear as I went 50,000 miles on my previous BMW. However Porsche Guildford recommended renewing my fronts at 15,000, as they were below Porsche recommended tread (but not the legal limit).

Good call Mark that Porsche probably sub out anyway - I hadn't thought of that.

I may go to Bracknell - Scuffed wheels or clip on weights,I don't want!

Guest · Feb 20, 2006

I am surprised by peoples lack of rear tyre wear. I am at 14000 and need my 18inch yoko's replaced. £150 at my local garage. I dont drive hard either. I think I will stick with them or does it matter much that front and rear are different?

JCB.. · Feb 21, 2006

ORIGINAL: bigman

I am surprised by peoples lack of rear tyre wear. I am at 14000 and need my 18inch yoko's replaced. £150 at my local garage. I dont drive hard either. I think I will stick with them or does it matter much that front and rear are different?

Me too

12K on rears is the norm for me and I change the fronts bi-rearly if you see what I mean. My fronts tend to wear unevenly as I have max negative camber all round. The rears do too but as they are busy sticking the HP to the tarmac it's not so noticeable.

JCB..

nemc · Feb 21, 2006

It is my understanding that all 4 tyres must be the same make and type.
I bought 2 rear 18" Continental Conti Sport 2 for £310 incl. fitting etc last Summer "" from National.

JCB.. · Feb 21, 2006

ORIGINAL: nemc

It is my understanding that all 4 tyres must be the same make and type.
I bought 2 rear 18" Continental Conti Sport 2 for £310 incl. fitting etc last Summer "" from National.

I've run different makes and different revisions, front and back, without any problems. You just need to give yourself time to get used to the differences in the characteristics.

What you shouldn't do is mix tyres on the same axle.

JCB..

Mark_Bennett · Feb 21, 2006

Notwithstanding John's experience above, it would be remiss of me if I did not point out that the official advice from Porsche is to only fit the same make, type, and n-rating tyres on all 4 wheels.

Obviously it is up to the individual, but I would only advise that Porsches recommendations are followed in this case.

JCB.. · Feb 21, 2006

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

Notwithstanding John's experience above, it would be remiss of me if I did not point out that the official advice from Porsche is to only fit the same make, type, and n-rating tyres on all 4 wheels.

Obviously it is up to the individual, but I would only advise that Porsches recommendations are followed in this case.

For what reason Mark?

Continental advised me, in writing, that there was no technical reason why you shouldn't run a pair of N1's with a pair of N2's.

Porsche say you should use Mobil1 yet you have to instruct your OPC to use it when getting your car serviced.

JCB..

Dapster · Feb 21, 2006

I tried www.blackcircles.com for cheap tyres. They'll be delivered to a tyre fitter local to you to install. I replaced a kerb damaged N rated 265/35 ZR 19 Michelin Pilot Sport for £224 fitted vs £305 quoted by the OPC (after haggling). I've heard that Elite Wheel and tyres in Reading (Mark mentioned Farnborough) http://www.elitewheels.co.uk/ are even cheaper.

On my 986 2.7 I had Continental Sport Contact N1's which lasted absolutely ages - over 35k miles on the front despite some pretty enthusiastic driving. They seem to be much harder than the Pilots though they offered less grip wet or dry - I'm much happier on the Michelin's.

Mark_Bennett · Feb 21, 2006

ORIGINAL: JCB..

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

Notwithstanding John's experience above, it would be remiss of me if I did not point out that the official advice from Porsche is to only fit the same make, type, and n-rating tyres on all 4 wheels.

Obviously it is up to the individual, but I would only advise that Porsches recommendations are followed in this case.

Click to expand...

For what reason Mark?

Continental advised me, in writing, that there was no technical reason why you shouldn't run a pair of N1's with a pair of N2's.

Porsche say you should use Mobil1 yet you have to instruct your OPC to use it when getting your car serviced.

JCB..

Because as the register sec I don't want someones accident on my conscience if it turns out that they have inappropriate tyres fitted and I haven't said anything.
Porsche have done loads of testing and each year produce a set of approved yres. These tests are all documented in Christophorus and are available on the Porsche Website.
They recommend certain tyres and these are approved in certain combinations.

I have no issue with people fitting different tyres - but I do feel I should point out what Porsche recommend when the subject turns up. If people want to fit other tyres then that is up to them (I fancy some Corsa's myself...)[

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It's nice to hear Continental were confident enough to confirm that to you in writing. [

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And yes - I understand what you say about the oil [&:]

Mark_Bennett · Feb 21, 2006

ORIGINAL: Dapster

I tried www.blackcircles.com for cheap tyres. They'll be delivered to a tyre fitter local to you to install. I replaced a kerb damaged N rated 265/35 ZR 19 Michelin Pilot Sport for £224 fitted vs £305 quoted by the OPC (after haggling). I've heard that Elite Wheel and tyres in Reading (Mark mentioned Farnborough) http://www.elitewheels.co.uk/ are even cheaper.

On my 986 2.7 I had Continental Sport Contact N1's which lasted absolutely ages - over 35k miles on the front despite some pretty enthusiastic driving. They seem to be much harder than the Pilots though they offered less grip wet or dry - I'm much happier on the Michelin's.

I recommended Elite Garages (Club Sponsor - advertise in PP) - this is not the same company as Elite Tyres (although I have used them in the past as well)

Guest · Feb 21, 2006

If you've got a costco locally they give by far the best prices by a long way on Michelins. The one at Haydock that I use were great with no damage to wheels at all. They even knew about the N rating before going onto the computer .