Tyre Question

Guest · Jun 10, 2003

I' m sure that this discussion will run and run but here goes anyway.

The rear tyres on my S are just about finished at 14k. Is this normal for 18" Continental Sportcontacts ? I do drive " enthusiastically" and have done two trackdays. The tyre performance has been outstanding. AFN Reading have just quoted me £415 for a pair of N2' s........ Gulp !!!! I' ll try to get some club discount which if I manage to get 10% pays for the membership fee [

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The fronts understandably have plenty of rubber left and I' m thinking about swapping all four next time around to Michelins as they have had some fab reviews.

Guest · Jun 10, 2003

Hi Nic,

The tyres at the moment are N1' s all round. Will having N2' s on the rear and N1' s on the front give any cause for concern ?

cheers

Brian

Alex Foster · Jun 10, 2003

Brian
bookatrack.com' s tyre service (buyatyre.com???) does the Contisport (Porsche approved) tyre for about £180 each fitted.

NicD · Jun 10, 2003

Brian,

The N1 are Continental SportContact N1 "" "Comfort" rating.

I suspect the N2 are Continental SportContact 2 N2 "" which has a "sports" rating, and is a better tyre to my thinking.

So, not recommended to put different tyres on the axles, in fact the manufacturers tell you to change all together to avoid grip differences (though some people would ignore this)

If you can, change them all to the N2 or my favourite, the Michelin Pilot Sport SX N2 (note this has an "all round" rating in 17 inch size)

Note the ratings go, from the bottom, Comfort, all round, then sports.

Guest · Jun 10, 2003

What..... change all four and throw away a pair of perfectly good fronts ? It offends my Scottish upbringing !!!!!

In the end, AFN did not recommend having N2' s on the rear and N1' s on the front so it was a new rear set of 18" N1' s for £415. No PCGB discount [&o] but they did offer to wash the car for me !

I understand why mixing tyres on the same axle is a bad idea (PSM or no PSM) however as the wheel widths are different and therefore there is already a grip imbalance between the front and rear, not being able to mix N1' s and N2' s was a bit of a surprise.

Sitting there chatting to the lovely girls they employ at AFN and wandering around the GT2' s and 356' s in the showroom did make handing over the loot a pleasurable experience [

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I find the Conti' s perfectly good with an awesome amount of grip but I' m swapping to Michelins next time !

Helen Goff · Jun 10, 2003

£180 each!!!!! i got my 17" coni sport n1 rated rear tyres for £115 each. fitted/balanced and everything i even got a cup of coffee while i waited.!!! kwik fit by the way!!i' ve got one spare nearly new conti n2 rated tyre if anyone wants.

Guest · Jun 10, 2003

I had the dilemma on my previous 2.7 a year ago and asked the question - What does N-rating mean and what are the consequences of mixing different N-ratings between front and back etc. After a lot of searching - here is what I found

For a description of N-Rating click here:-
Tyres

In essence:-

Porsche only recommend N-Rating tyres on their cars
N-Rating refers to the Porsche approved and tested standards tyres
N-Rating 1,2,3 refers to the current version of that particular tyre model
- i.e Pirelli P-Zero 1 is older than P-Zero 2 is older than P-Zero-3,
but may, or may not be older than Conti N2
Porsche do not recommend mixing N-Ratings between any wheel
If you have to replace the rear N2' s with N3' s, then Porsche recommend replacing the fronts with N3' s also

Tyre life:-
This varies, as is obvious, with road type, driving style, usage (ie track days), and tyre brand/type. No one tyre will suit every driver. My P-Zero' s lasted 22K miles, but most was motorway driving.

Never pay Porsche for new tyres unless you really want to throw money away. [

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There are many discount places who will replace and fit for approx £115 a corner - Micheldever Tyres near Winchester being the most well-known

Never, ever go to KwikFit ! These wheels/tyres need precise and controlled balancing with Hunter equipment and Kwikfit just do not have this equipment or the skill to properly balance and tracking. Kwikfit once did mine and the balancing was worse afterwards! I cannot stress how important balance and tracking is, because if not done correctly it will accelerate wear and give very bad steering wobble/vibration at above 60mph or more

BTW. I got a full balance and full tracking (toe-in/camber etc) done every 6 months on my 2.7 and i shall be doing the same with the ' S' - it makes a big difference as it very quickly goes out of true

Alex Foster · Jun 10, 2003

Helen
There is a big jump in price between tyres for 17 inch wheels and 18 inch wheels

Mark Davies · Jun 11, 2003

Chris,

I have had to have 3 new tyres on my 996 and everytime AFN in Reading have pointed me at the Kwik Fit mobile service. I was a bit dubious but that did a very good job each time and I havent had any balancing problems. The last time they only charged me £160 for an 18 inch 285/30 Conti Sport 2 tyre which I didnt think was bad and it was all hassle free as they came to me the same day.

Regards

Mark

jimso · Dec 19, 2006

ORIGINAL: Mikomotor

will I be ok buying Michelin PS N1's so that I am 'mixing' the rear N1 speed rating with the existing front tyre Dunlop ZR speed rating?

Ooooo No. I'd say this is not the best of plans. I have Conti's all round on my car. The front have only covered about 3k miles. The back? Need replacing in a matter of weeks. I'd favour the Michelin's myself but will be replacing the rears with Conti's again. Be patient. Eventually one pair will catch up with the other. Then you will have the pleasure of coughing up for a full set in one hit. Super...

Black80XSA · Dec 19, 2006

Not that many Boxsters came with 9090s, but i actually like them as a tyre (and the normal 9000s).

Why do you want to change to Michelins ? - given the mileage you have from the current set i can't see gaining much in terms of longevity (or indeed extra grip at the limits) - the Dunlops are likely to be about £30 each cheaper too.

Mikomotor · Dec 22, 2006

.....thanks guys.....having done a bit more research (as you implied) 20,000 miles on the backs looks like a fairly good result (even though I'm assured that Michelin might give up to 5k more).

Also, Porsche came out very against the 'mix' idea as well, so I've gone with the Dunlops. If anyone's interested, the Kwik Fit all in price (inc. valve, balance and fitting) is currently £181 per tyre as long as you're buying two.

Cheers,
Mike.

jimso · Dec 22, 2006

I'm just about to order a pair of rears for my Box. I'm planning to use Event ( http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/ ).

Hows this...?

Continental - 225/40 R18 [ZR] - Sport Contact 2 N2 £141 per tyre fitted and balanced!

As good as you can get as far as I can see. And they bring it all to you. You don't part with any dosh until the job is done. [

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Dapster · Dec 22, 2006

Q: Will I be ok 'mixing' the rear N1 speed rating with the existing front tyre ZR speed rating?

Mike - there is no issues with mixing makes of tyre between the front and rear, but you CAN NOT mix speed ratings. The Boxster I THINK should ONLY have Z rated tyres (you need to check the manual). Although this means your tyres are rated for a contrant use at speeds upto 190mph which of course you're never going to use, if you are unfortunate enough to have an off, your insurance co can back out of the claim if they find out you're not on the correct speed rated tyres.

911sse · Dec 22, 2006

er, how come I only get 8k? Is it the way I drive officer?

Mark_Bennett · Dec 22, 2006

(911sse
I think you've answered your own question [

] )

N1 isn't a speed rating - the FAQ at the top of the Boxster section has links that tell you all about Porsche "N" ratings.

Mikomotor · Dec 22, 2006

......thanks Dapster / Mark - have just educated myself re. the difference between speed ratings and the Porche 'N' process / ratings! (Note that the Dunlops remain on the N-0 rating).

Jimso - Contis - that's some deal, eh?

Mike.

jimso · Dec 22, 2006

ORIGINAL: Mikomotor

Jimso - Contis - that's some deal, eh?

I've not found a better price Mike. Almost a pleasure parting with the cash!

Mark_Bennett · Dec 22, 2006

Dapster,

I've just noticed you say there is no problem mixing makes front to rear.
That's not recommended. I have heard of people doing it, but the characteristics of the dfferent patterns/compounds/constructions might give "unpredictable" qualities...[:'(]

Porsche reccommend you don't mix. I feel duty bound to point that out.

Black80XSA · Dec 22, 2006

ORIGINAL: jimso

I'm just about to order a pair of rears for my Box. I'm planning to use Event ( http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/ ).

Hows this...?

Continental - 225/40 R18 [ZR] - Sport Contact 2 N2 £141 per tyre fitted and balanced!

As good as you can get as far as I can see. And they bring it all to you. You don't part with any dosh until the job is done. []