Great service from Wolverhampton Porsche and Kwik-Fit Stafford - with a twist

[Iain77]

Hi all,

Being new to Porsche ownership and PCGB membership, every day is a school day at the moment. When I purchased my Pan 4 in July, it was in need of some TLC and the first thing I arranged was to have the brake fluid replaced. I booked it into Wolverhampton Porsche (about a 3-week wait for the appointment) and was quoted a price for the brake fluid change and a ‘healthcheck’. I wanted to use the OPC to ensure the car was checked and the correct fluid used. More emphasis on the former but driven by the need for fresh fluid.

On the day of the appointment, I was well looked after, advised again it would be about 2-hours - I’d already planned to do some work while I waited for the work to be completed. Bang on time, car dealt with, fluid changed, tested and report provided. Everything was as expected and great service - both warm and welcoming.


The twist.

My healthcheck report advised a number of points e.g. puncture kit out of date, the two front tyres were not N-rated and the two front tyre valves were slightly perished. I arranged to have the tyres checked and valves replaced at my local Kwik-Fit.

Problem 1- on placing the wheel and tyre on the tyre removal machine, the clamp that comes down to separate the bead went straight through the sidewall of the tyre.

Problem 2- ditto the second front tyre when the clamp caused two large blisters in the sidewall. At this point, they stopped and called me over to explain the issue.


Transpires that although both fronts had 5mm tread across each tyre, they were manufactured in mid-2015. Given the incorrect tyre rating, I could have very easily blown a tyre when I was on the M6/M5/M180/M18 during my trips in August.

In the end, Kwik-fit did me a great deal on two N1 rated fronts and I now have 4 OEM recommended N-rated tyres and a higher level of confidence in their construction and composition. They checked the rears and I’m pleased to report that all is well with them.

So, to conclude, great spot by Wolverhampton Porsche on the tyre issues and great service by Kwik-fit. It just goes to show how the proper rating needs to be checked and adhered to.

Onto my door lock issue next…

 

[Briggy]

There's an implication there that non N-rated tyres are dangerous. There are any number of reasons why they would split when attempting removal and without knowing the history of the tyre, it's impossible to say. For example, you can't know that they hadn't previously been driven on when deflated. You also can't know that N-rated tyres, treated in the same would have behaved differently.

 

[go928s4]

Briggy is correct. Any reputable brand of tyre which is the correct size, speed rating and load rating for your car will be safe to use. It's what has happened to the tyres since they were fitted that has caused the problem. There are plenty of older Porsches around where it is no longer possible (or very difficult) to get suitable N-rated tyres.

When I bought my turbo (2nd hand) it had non-standard wheels in a size not approved by Porsche and I fully intended to replace them but after a conversation with a well respected race engineer and some tests by him I was convinced to keep the new wheels and tyres, even though neither approved by Porsche nor N-rated.

Graham
2012 Panamera Turbo

 

[tscaptain]

Any reputable brand of tyre which is the correct size, speed rating and load rating for your car will be safe to use.

True, but we don't know if all of the above was applicable in this case.[]

 

[Iain77]

Hi @briggy

Yes, agree totally. Even though they were the right size and load-rating, and made by Pirelli, there was no way I could have known what they have gone through in the 6-years since they were manufactured. I was thrown by the fact they both had 5mm of tread remaining (across three points) and therefore, rightly or wrongly, assumed they had been looked after. As you say, an 'N-rated' tyre might have acted in the same way given equal treatment.
Regards,
Iain

 

[Iain77]

Thanks @go928s4 Graham,

Any pictures of the wheels?

Regards,
Iain

 

[go928s4]

Hi Iain,
Not a very good picture - 21" Rohana's

 

[Iain77]

Hi Iain,
Not a very good picture - 21" Rohana's

 

[JGaudoin]

Hi Iain

Welcome to the club, I too am a relatively recent member and first time Porsche Pan owner.

When I bought my car in 2019, which is a 2014 year model, it had the original tyres fitted. Like you I had an OPC health check and they commented on the age of the tyres, not that there was any visual issue, but just by the date stamp. I then contacted my local friendly tyre specialist for a check before ordering 4 new tyres, they said to keep a watch for any significant crazing on the side walls, a sign of older tyres perishing although the tread was good across the tyres.

Anyway, I decided to investigate tyres and the "N" rating. I read a 993 forum article (Thursday, November 17, 2005 3:35 PM (permalink) N rated Tyres.....Is it a Con?), which really didn't help make everything clear, other than to establish Porsche recommendations for N-rated through their testing. A former race mechanic of Aston Martin told me, unless your intending to use the car on track days or "Mad" autobahn driving (No chance in my car), any good quality non-N rated tyre Pirelli, Continental, Michelin, Dunlop, Goodyear, Toyo, Hankook, etc, will all work safely in "normal" use. Feel, noise and grip are subjective when on roads at "normal" speeds, so there will always be different opinions and experiences.

Ultimately, I ended up with Continentals N-rated just because as a newbie I wanted to keep the Porsche N-rated faith. I really wanted Pirelli P-Zero but the significantly higher cost from Pirelli direct (Authorised centre) and the very long lead time for rear tyres through my local tyre supplier it pushed me to the Conti's. They work really well, even though they did not get a good opinion from a few other Porsche owners. So far I have no complaints after 10K+, the car holds the road well, it's not noisy and of course it stops well, wet or dry.

Happy motoring, cheers.

 

[Iain77]

Hi James,

Good to know and pleased to hear of your experiences to date on the Conti’s.
Safe miles.

Regards,
Iain

 

[JohnCRS]

I recall hearing that the N rating is designed for use with the rim profile of the Porsche wheels fitted to individual cars. I believe that they can differ from model to model. With that in mind, if fitting non standard wheels, would it also be better to also fit non N rated tyres, focussing on ensuring everything works properly together.

Whatever, a salutary example of how tyres degrade over time.

 

[Iain77]

Thanks John.