Mixing Tyres Front/Back

[Dombo63]

Hello, looking for advice re tyres. I recently bought a 2003 996 Cabriolet, with N4-rated Pirelli P Zeros all round. They are quite old, and fronts need replacing (6 years old and showing some cracking in the treads although sidewalls ok, but fairly close to the minimum tread). Rears are in much better condition and only 4-5 years old. I want to replace the fronts with Michelin PS2's, again N-rated and then do the rears to match in a few months' time.
Is it ok to run different makes front and back or should I just do the whole lot at once? they are 225/40 front and 285/30 rear on 18 inch wheels.
Oh, and does the Club have any discount arrangements with any tyre suppliers? Otherwise I'll just go with blackcircle.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Rick101]

Assuming you are RWD, it's not ideal, but as long as you're aware of it and drive accordingly it shouldn't be an issue. I've not much knowledge on the Porsche 4WD system.
If it's a daily and the rears are less than 3mm i'd just change them.

Check Camskill for tyres too. Poor website but great service and usually good prices.

 

[tscaptain]

The club has a cashback scheme with Pirelli but not Michelin. Personally I wouldn't mix tyres. It may or may not affect the handling but why take the risk?

 

[andywill]

it's not ideal, but as long as you're aware of it and drive accordingly it shouldn't be an issue.

yes agree

But If you ask Porsche or the tyre manufacturers, they would say a big NO.

 

[Phantom911]

I would agree with the others and not mix. You don't want to be enjoying a spirited drive and things go a bit awry.

 

[JagdHamster]

I have to disagree. It might be noticeable on a track.

On the road? Highly unlikely, provided you don't use ditch-finders.

 

[JHMotorsport]

I would also disagree with the idea that you must at all costs use the same tyres on a road car... even the beloved 996!
I say this because I have taken 996 C2 on the track with rubbish brand rubber on the front that I expected to fall to pieces and.... it just didn't. It also handled nicely with them which I was surprised about. I was pushing the thing pretty hard as road cars go (I race single seaters) and it held up well.
It had 'BCT' brand on the front and Nokian on the back neither of which were my purchase of course.
I took it on a second track day and it performed the same trick all over again until I had to come in for the usual good practice cool downs which were more a limitation of the brakes than tyres!
For the road it would be just fine in my opinion and I had never even heard of 'BCT' tyres before seeing them on the front.
I've since changed them all for Michelin PS2 N rated as I was concerned about the rears cracking due to age/hardness and potentially being picked up at MOT time.
So far I haven't found much of a difference on the new Michelin's but I have not got it on a track with them yet! I'm thinking surely I'll find them better on track than what it had but we'll see.
Bottom line is the car was inherently nicely balanced on track and was completely handling what I was throwing at it, so I would think it must be fine for road use.