Latest Classic Tyre Recommendations?

[Mears]

Has anybody seen a 993 tyre recommendation bulletin more recent than the Feb 2008 one posted on the forum here please? https://www.porscheclubgb.com/legacy/clientFtp/Register/993/0802_Classic_recommended_tyres.pdf
My '5 year old' Bridgestone S02 N3's are now worn out at the rear and some 7+ years old at the front looking at the date of manufacture code, so time for a change all round. I was surprised when OPS recommended moving up the N scale to N4's but evidently that's permissible and perhaps even preferable if it ensures fresher tyre stock or longer availability for replacements? Comments please?

 

[pse_SC]

Presume you have 17-inch wheels - As long as it's N rated and recommended it should be good. Have moved to Continental Sport Contact N2, as availability of P Zero Rosso N4s (my preferred) was zilch at the time. Seem good at the moment - hope they wear as well as the Pirellis.

 

[Russell Wheatley]

I had a similar situation as the Continentals fitted to my 993 were 5 years old. I went for the Michelin Pilot Sports in 17 inch size. The feel and feedback was much better than the Continentals. I also have driven a 987 Boxster on Continentals and wasn't impressed with the feel and feedback from the tyres. I realise the Michelins are more expensive than the Continentals but they are much better. I found the cheapest place for the tyres was Micheldever tyres in Andover. I cannot comment on wheel alignments from that place as I took the car to center of gravity in Nuneaton for wheel alignment and suspension change before getting the new tyres.

 

[Mears]

Many thanks all for your valuable help. Yes my Targa is on 17" wheels of course. I'm usually a huge Michelin fan but my 993 mileage is so low I reckon they'd get old before they get worn! Interestingly it was Micheldever who sold the previous owner SO2's that were already 2 years old in stock, so you just cannot tell; perhaps this problem is more prevalent with Japanese-sourced stock? Nevertheless right now I think I'm tending now towards SO2A N4's mainly because they stand the best chance of being available still when the rears wear out first (but also they are actually the N-rating shown in the official 2008 document too). I'll probably change my mind by tonight though................

 

[gm997_1]

To add to the mix, I had Michelin PS2 N3s on mine all round then replaced with ContisSport Contact N2s. I'm on 18s, and 4 wheel drive.
Needed to improve massively on the grip in the wet with the Michelins, which had been none too great. Rears only lasted some 10k too, suprisingly, whereas I had expected more, and I'm no rubber burner / tyre squealer !
Contis much better in the wet than the PS2s, I'm glad to say, so most probably the same in-the-wet situation for 17s too. Europe stock too, not Japan-sourced, so likely greater throughput, therefore younger tyres being fitted. A current N rating should be fine for several years in terms of replacement like-for-like, so no major worries there.