Michelin Cup 2 Tyres - N0 vs N1

[Fredstaa777]

Hi guys,

I recently had some new rears fitted to my GT4 at my local Kwik Fit and once home I noticed that they had a flared lip almost like a rim guard. Upon closer inspection I noticed that these tyres are in fact rated N1 where the front tyres are N0?

After speaking with my local Porsche centre they have informed me that for the warranty to remain valid all tyres must carry the same N rating, and be what was specified for the car (in the GT4's case N0 rates cup 2's). I called Kwik Fit back and asked if they can still get the N0 and they said that they have been superseded by the N1, Porsche also confirmed this but cannot get either currently which leaves me a bit stuck!

Has anyone found this when replacing the GT4's tyres? I have seen a few .2 GT3 cars running the new style tyre with flared lip but no other GT4's?

Cheers,

Fred

 

[ralphmusic]

The Rim Protector was introduced maybe three years ago when N0 was the current specification.

Centres can insist on same N# on each axle for warranty but it does seem daft to suggest going back to N0.

 

[Motorhead]

Fred,

If even the PC can’t get the tyre I can’t see how warranty could be declined in those circumstances - you’ve got to have four tyres on the car..! At least you’re running N-rated tyres all round.

You have to ask what aspect of the warranty would be invalidated? Total nonsense..!

Jeff

 

[Brian_Innes]

Fred,

Absolutely no problem warranty-wise with your rear Cup 2's being N1 and the fronts N0. The rim protector was incorporated on the N1 Cup 2 a few years ago as Ralph correctly says. Your GT4 has the correct tyres fitted.

Your OPC quibbling the warranty validation on the N rating is total rubbish.

Brian

 

[tscaptain]

Fred,

Absolutely no problem warranty-wise with your rear Cup 2's being N1 and the fronts N0. The rim protector was incorporated on the N1 Cup 2 a few years ago as Ralph correctly says. Your GT4 has the correct tyres fitted.

Your OPC quibbling the warranty validation on the N rating is total rubbish.

Brian

I'm afraid this is not correct. The ex Service manager and now warranty claims person at my PC confirms that all 4 tyres must bear the same N rating in order to get an extended warranty. However, this is at the time of issue. Not sure what would happen if during the period of the warranty you changed to tyres with a different N rating and then had a subsequent claim. I can't see that would necessarily be a problem - but as with all insurance claims, you never know!

However, what you're supposed to do if the tyres aren't available is another matter!

 

[Motorhead]

Exactly the point I made above Alan. I can understand that the PC require all 4 tyres to have the same N-rating to warranty the car, but if you're unable to have matching N-rated tyres all round perhaps someone will tell me what will be invalidated under the warranty? Wheel bearings? Suspension components? These components were validated/warrantied under previous tyre N-ratings, so what has changed? The car is still perfectly safe and legal to drive. It's total nonsense..!

I can understand the necessity to have matching tyres on each axle, but if you're running say N0 tyres all round and have puncture and have to fit an N1 tyre because N0 aren't available, it's ridiculous to suggest that you have to replace all four tyres rather than just two.

I think Fred needs to have a serious conversation on the subject with his Dealership.

Jeff

 

[tscaptain]

I'm not saying it will invalidate the warranty, Jeff, just that you can't get a new warranty if the N numbers aren't the same. It's not dissimilar to the hard-wired dash cam problem. You can't get a new warranty with one hard wired in but if, after the warranty has been issued, you fit one and the engine blows up it's seems unlikely they will say it was the dash cam that caused it! And then there are the rad grilles........[]

 

[Motorhead]

Yes, apologies for the minor rant Alan but that's the problem with warranties, after-market ones in particular. Tyre ratings and "chocolate" a/c condensers always seem to be contentious issues, quite often with apparent inconsistencies between different Dealerships which doesn't give you much confidence in the system.

I gave up with the Porsche extended warranty years ago after being refused a couple of claims, one of which was engine related and which I contested strongly to no avail and the other was trim related which I accepted wasn't really covered. I accept that others, yourself included I believe, have had more positive outcomes from their own Dealership, and it just comes down to how risk-averse you are at the end of the day.

Jeff

 

[Brian_Innes]

I'm with Jeff on this one. I cannot see the sense in the argument for replacing all 4 Cup 2 tyres simply because the N rating originally specified has been superseded.

To reiterate Jeff's comment, what specific component replacement would be invalidated by this extended warranty? This line of argument is total nonsense.

I likewise, would shun any idea of taking out an extended warranty if the dealership were so pedantic in enforcing such a pointless argument.

My 718 GTS currently has Michelin PS4S N0 tyres fitted. As in the case of Fred's GT4, the rear tyres will probably need replacing before the fronts. If by that time the PS4S N0 rating has advanced to an N1, I shall certainly not be minded to replacing all four tyres if the fronts still have plenty of serviceable life left.

Brian

 

[tscaptain]

I don't think it's the dealerships who make the rules but the insurance underwriters so damning the PCs doesn't seem appropriate. I have absolutely no idea why they make this " all the same N number rule" for warranty issue. Perhaps a conversation with the person who manages warranty at your local PC would reveal more.

On the issue of having an extended warranty in the first place, I reckon I have still claimed more than I've paid,and have never had any issues getting my PC to process a claim. To be honest, I feel they have been on my side and not the side of the insurer. After all the repairs/spares costs are not coming out of their pocket!

 

[Fredstaa777]

Thank you for everyones thoughts, it's really appreciated!

For now I've ordered a new set of rear N0 rated tyres on eBay for £450 which isn't too bad. After speaking back with the dealership they have confirmed they are happy that this would now suffice any warranty claims when the car is booked in at the end of the month (it's in for a service but I have a slight noise with the suspension they will check over while there hence my keenness to make sure the warranty is in tact).

Strangely, when quizzing the centre to wether if the car would be covered with warranty if I managed to locate some matching front N1 tyres the answer was a resounding N0 which surprised me! They said they will need to contact Porsche and ask what the plan is going forward now the N0 tyres are discontinued!

A bit of a hassle all in all, but I prefer the smoother side profile without lip of the N0's and now have a matching set which keeps the OCD at bay!

Anyone want to buy a set of N1 cup 2 rears with 5 miles on? Big discount offered haha!

Cheers,

Fred

 

[waxman]

Hi all

i had the same dilemma when replacing the rears on my 991.1 GT3 few months ago due to picking up a nail . I had cup 2 NO all round and decided to put N1 on the rears and leave the front NO as when the fronts needed changing I though then I’d have N1 all round rather then finding NO not available and then being stuck with NO on rear and new N1 on rear - enough to give me a headache .

anyhow wanted to see if any difference in handling and must say none at all - interestingly when I traded in GT3 to a main Porsche dealer i expected them to raise the issue of mismatched N rating tyres but they didn’t .

 

[snowy999]

Fred - I will buy your N1s !

Sent you a PM. Snowy

 

[Fredstaa777]

Great, now sent you a message!

Cheers,

Fred

 

[AndrewCS]

Strangely, when quizzing the centre to whether if the car would be covered with warranty if I managed to locate some matching front N1 tyres the answer was a resounding N0 which surprised me! They said they will need to contact Porsche and ask what the plan is going forward now the N0 tyres are discontinued! Cheers, Fred

Still seeing the N0 advertised, older stock no doubt.

On the subject of N1 warranty compatibility ... my recent acquisition was OPC fitted with new N1`s all round for delivery, with a warranty.