Tyres again n2 v n4 and differnt brands

[kimosabby]

Gentlemen (and gentle ladies of course)

I know this has been done previously and there has been several threads on the forum which I have scoured.

Got a 2001 S and Conti Sport Contact 2's all round; the fronts have had uneven tyre wear from the previous owner but this has been sorted out with laser alignment all round last year. However the fronts now need replacing (as MOT due).

Having done a couple of track days I have found the Contis to offer a level of grip which I can't argue with. In the dry it is difficult to provoke the back end and has more grip than I have B@~ls. Why fix something that is not broken and I can get 2 front identical n2 Conti replacements from Halfords auto centre for about £270 fitted after cash back/discount.

Reading on forums peeps are saying Mich PS's and Bridgestones are worth having. So question is:
Can i mix brands and N ratings between front and rear axle? ie Keep Conti Sport 2 N2 on rear and replace fronts with Bridegstone S02A N3?

I know what the standard answer is and what Porsche say but in the real world will this affect handling track and hard road use? Also what of the t+?sers in the insurance department have to say on such matters?

One other thing: do i need another full laser alignment after replacing the fronts? Was done 12 months ago with 2000 miles done since?

Comments greatly appreciated

Kimo

 

[Rodney Naghar]

You don't need a geo every time you replace tyres.

As for mixing brands as you suggest. I wouldn't.
If you were forced to due to short supply that would still not be a good idea but perhaps understandable but if you're doing it to improve performance I would stay clear. You're mixing different quality of rubber, tread pattern everything.

Insurance companies only care if your tyres have the correct load rating for your car and meet the minimum legal requirements that's all.

 

[Melv]

You need to refer to manufacturer. Some N ratings, of the same make, can be mixed, according to Michelin.

But from my own experience of driving high performance cars on mis-matched tyres can lead to some odd handling problems....

 

[kimosabby]

Thanks for info; its frustrating not being able to change brand without changing all 4 at the same time...

Any one with experience of Contis Sport Contact 2's? Like I said on road and track i rate them

 

[Mike_Trotter]

If you have N2's i would stay with them. I don't like to mix brands front rear. I have N0's I'm needing rears Bridgestones's i seen a few N2's but you should stay with the same number N number it's to do with the make up of your Tyre. If you need all four i would fit Michelin Pilot sports if you want the best, Conti's are also awaome tyre, soprt scontact 3's i ran them on my Rs focus 350bhp front wheel drive they latested 13k not bad for understeer city[]

 

[Motorhead]

ORIGINAL: kimosabby

Thanks for info; its frustrating not being able to change brand without changing all 4 at the same time...

Any one with experience of Contis Sport Contact 2's? Like I said on road and track i rate them

Kimo, if you rate them and can get a couple of tyres for a decent price, why not just go with them again?

Jeff

 

[kitchens]

Just checked mine and they are Conti sport 3 do not think they do 2's any more as i had to change all 4 the last time as 2's where not available Ended up selling the rears to a Cayman owner as spares they fit both cars .As to the tyres find them ok always had Conti on the car from new , now 10years old with no issues ,do not track the car .after 3 years still have approx 5ml all round

 

[Motorhead]

Brian, the OP says that he can get a couple of Conti N2s from Halfords, so presumably they're still around if you look.

Jeff

 

[kimosabby]

ORIGINAL: Motorhead

ORIGINAL: kimosabby

Thanks for info; its frustrating not being able to change brand without changing all 4 at the same time...

Any one with experience of Contis Sport Contact 2's? Like I said on road and track i rate them

Kimo, if you rate them and can get a couple of tyres for a decent price, why not just go with them again?

Jeff

Jeff,

fancied trying something different as more people were rating Michelins on line

 

[kitchens]

They are all N2 rated it is Conti are now on too generation 3 Sports as far as i know 2's are no longer available certainly from Dec 2009 all Porsche should be N2 Rated and best to keep all the same brand all round certainly not different makes on the same axle.