Hi All, I'm new to Porsches and the club, and am settling in with my '04 Boxster 2.7. It's been really well looked after, but came on a set of Falken Tyres, which seem to work OK. The fronts are almost new , but the rears’ will need replacing in around 1000 miles. I've read the horror stories of mixing makes, but really don't want to ditch a nearly new pair of fronts. I've favoured Michelins on previous cars, but has anyone been down this road before and could advise of which 'N' rated tyres they would recommend for the rear until the fronts wear out and I can finally get to a matching set? Cheers Trev.
Choosing Tyres
- Thread starter bokkie57
- Start date
I'm about to replace my tyres
You could get just about get 4 x new Bridgestones or Goodyears for the price of two rear Michelin PS2s
This EVO tyre test might influence you. I'm going for Goodyears - had them before and liked them. 2nd in test and very reasonably priced
http://www.evo.co.uk/features/18309/the-best-tyres-2016-evo-tyre-test/page/0/6
This was my tyre shopping for 19 inch wheels on my 987
Front 235/35 ZR19 87Y N0
Rear 265/35 ZR19 94Y N0
Michelin PS2
Costco front £227 rear £215 less £60 on promotion
Camskill PS2 front £223.50 rear £221.50
Bridgestone
Costco RE050A fron £144 rear £204
Camskill front £116.50 now £134.20 rear £155.20 now £169.75
Blackcircles £152.04 fitted front £203.69 rear
Conti Sport Contact 6 EVO winner
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 2nd place
Camskill £108.30 front £156.40 rear £542.56 inc postage
Blackcircles £130.76 f £190.27 r £648.06 fitted (Keith Elgin)
Mytyres £116.90 f £161 r £555.80 delivered £611.80 fitted (none near)
KwikFit £155.99 f £210.99 r £733.96!!!!!!!! £52 fitting and disposal
You could get just about get 4 x new Bridgestones or Goodyears for the price of two rear Michelin PS2s
This EVO tyre test might influence you. I'm going for Goodyears - had them before and liked them. 2nd in test and very reasonably priced
http://www.evo.co.uk/features/18309/the-best-tyres-2016-evo-tyre-test/page/0/6
This was my tyre shopping for 19 inch wheels on my 987
Front 235/35 ZR19 87Y N0
Rear 265/35 ZR19 94Y N0
Michelin PS2
Costco front £227 rear £215 less £60 on promotion
Camskill PS2 front £223.50 rear £221.50
Bridgestone
Costco RE050A fron £144 rear £204
Camskill front £116.50 now £134.20 rear £155.20 now £169.75
Blackcircles £152.04 fitted front £203.69 rear
Conti Sport Contact 6 EVO winner
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 2nd place
Camskill £108.30 front £156.40 rear £542.56 inc postage
Blackcircles £130.76 f £190.27 r £648.06 fitted (Keith Elgin)
Mytyres £116.90 f £161 r £555.80 delivered £611.80 fitted (none near)
KwikFit £155.99 f £210.99 r £733.96!!!!!!!! £52 fitting and disposal
When I had my '04 Boxster S, I tried different tyres over the 7 years I owned the car and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 N1 were definitely the best on that car.
I also went went through a period of having a different brand on the front for a while and it adversely affected the handling.
I also went went through a period of having a different brand on the front for a while and it adversely affected the handling.
Michelin PS2 for me. yes they are now an old tyre having been introduced in 2004 but they are the tyre that the 987 Boxster was designed to have and really seem to suit the car. glows is not alone in having tried other options and preferring the PS2.
One thing that I have a found which isn't always commented upon is that they maintain their good characteristic throughout the tyres life, some other tyres (P-Zero?) get horrible when they are worn.
Without opening THAT debate again , better to get the N marked version (now on N4 for PS2?) as then you are getting the tyre that has been tweaked for that fitment.
Not a good idea to mix tyres at all - it may be ok but you may get unpredictable behaviour - and maybe at just the wrong time. Either stay with a new pair of rear Falkens or bite the bullet and get a set of four PS2.
Incidentally I have always found that the fronts wear at pretty much the same rate as the rears - I always have to get a full set of four!
One thing that I have a found which isn't always commented upon is that they maintain their good characteristic throughout the tyres life, some other tyres (P-Zero?) get horrible when they are worn.
Without opening THAT debate again , better to get the N marked version (now on N4 for PS2?) as then you are getting the tyre that has been tweaked for that fitment.
Not a good idea to mix tyres at all - it may be ok but you may get unpredictable behaviour - and maybe at just the wrong time. Either stay with a new pair of rear Falkens or bite the bullet and get a set of four PS2.
Incidentally I have always found that the fronts wear at pretty much the same rate as the rears - I always have to get a full set of four!
Many thanks to you all for the great advice, much appreciated! Its good to know my general experience of Michelins hasn't just been down to luck. I need to choose now between my head and my wallet.
1) Go for a full set of Michelin PS2’s.
2) Go for a rear set of Michelin PS2’s, she how she handles, get a matching front set if it becomes scarry.
3) Go for a rear set of matching Falkens, use them until all four wear out, then proceed with (1).
Thanks again. Trev
1) Go for a full set of Michelin PS2’s.
2) Go for a rear set of Michelin PS2’s, she how she handles, get a matching front set if it becomes scarry.
3) Go for a rear set of matching Falkens, use them until all four wear out, then proceed with (1).
Thanks again. Trev
Hi again All. Descision now made. Ordered full set of N2 Continental Contact2’s. I know, I know, virtually everyone advised Michelins, and with very good reason. But the Conti’s have a great reputation and I saved a packet over the Michelins. Time will only tell.
Lets face it, I thought the Falkens were OK, so these should be brilliant! Many thanks again to you all for the valuable advice. Anyone want a couple of nearly new front Falkens?.....
Lets face it, I thought the Falkens were OK, so these should be brilliant! Many thanks again to you all for the valuable advice. Anyone want a couple of nearly new front Falkens?.....
robertfarrer
New member
IIRC Porsche factory fitted Contact 2's, some people do not like them but they seem fine to me, have one one each corner - four in fact 
924Srr27l
New member
bokkie57 said:
Have they arrived yet? can you change your mind...
It's a tough decision but the difference in money from a very good brand to Michelin is so worth it, it always seems not as bad if you compare each tyre rather than the set ! EG if the Mich's are £100 more a set it can break the purchase, but £25 more each corner and as you can see from a few replies here the difference also from my experience is substantial.
I've found nothing gives you top marks in 4 characteristics:
- Great ride comfort / compliance (they have a soft sidewall)
- Wet grip feel
- Dry grip
- Longevity
The Conti's will be fine, but hurry up and wear them out ! lol ...
R
Just to be on the safe side I would check with your insurance company that they don't have a wriggle out clause if you fit non 'Porsche Approved' tyres fitted. Your Conti's may well be fine - but its worth checking or you could be £'000s out of pocket if they don't pay out after an accident. []
Porsche recommend a certain tyre for each model they make.
]Porsche recommend a certain tyre for each model they make.
924Srr27l
New member
Thanks Peter and all who have contributed, your advice has been much appreciated.
Just to clarify, the Continental Sport Contact2’s are due to be fitted later today. They are N2 Porsche rated and approved for a Boxster 986. They came in at a saving of £142.00 over the equivalent Michelins for the set. I'm a Michelin fan myself, but have also had very good experiences with Continentals, so the choice was tricky. I have a few friends who run Porsches, two of which run Continentals on a Boxster and a Caymen restpectively. Both have been very pleased, with the Caymen approaching 14,000 miles on its set with a few miles still to go.
As a Porsche newbie, I'm still getting to grips with my descision to buy a car that can effectively 'implode' at any moment due to a combination of RMS seal and/or IMS bearing (despite the fact mine was changed 10,000 miles ago - yes, history is key!). Is there any other vehicle out there with such a well publicised, potentially expensive problem, that still has usually intelligent and rational people passionate to own one? We must be mad!
I realise that in Porsche terms, £142.00 is just a new glove box catch, but I see it as a small contribution towards the possible new engine fund.
This will hopefully help me to justify this rash vehicle purchase, because the only other reason I can come up with is lame... I JUST LOVE IT!
Thanks again to all.
Trev
Just to clarify, the Continental Sport Contact2’s are due to be fitted later today. They are N2 Porsche rated and approved for a Boxster 986. They came in at a saving of £142.00 over the equivalent Michelins for the set. I'm a Michelin fan myself, but have also had very good experiences with Continentals, so the choice was tricky. I have a few friends who run Porsches, two of which run Continentals on a Boxster and a Caymen restpectively. Both have been very pleased, with the Caymen approaching 14,000 miles on its set with a few miles still to go.
As a Porsche newbie, I'm still getting to grips with my descision to buy a car that can effectively 'implode' at any moment due to a combination of RMS seal and/or IMS bearing (despite the fact mine was changed 10,000 miles ago - yes, history is key!). Is there any other vehicle out there with such a well publicised, potentially expensive problem, that still has usually intelligent and rational people passionate to own one? We must be mad!
I realise that in Porsche terms, £142.00 is just a new glove box catch, but I see it as a small contribution towards the possible new engine fund.
This will hopefully help me to justify this rash vehicle purchase, because the only other reason I can come up with is lame... I JUST LOVE IT!
Thanks again to all.
Trev
As Peter has already said i also would recommend a tyre being Porsche approved i e N rated what ever the brand one chooses.
Hoopster
Member
I've used both Contis and Michelins (mine came new with the Contis) - I find the Conti's are better in the wet, are a little more "comfortable" and wear faster than the Michelins, so I assume they are a little softer. Horses for courses, but both are strong performers overall.
As someone mentioned earlier .... wear them out fast and then try the others !
As someone mentioned earlier .... wear them out fast and then try the others !
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