Tyres again!

[Arran]

I have just read the posting on N rated tyres and I wondered if anyone has had problems matching tyres. I have a slow puncture in one of my rears and before things get too bad I thought I'd check the cost of replacement and availability but have experienced difficulty getting an exact match for the tyres on my car.

The tyre in question is: Contisport Contact 3 265/35 ZR 19 94Y RT N1

After finding virtually every varient you could imagine other than this tyre I contacted Continental to be informed that they should have this tyre back in stock in June!

Is this the experience of other owners?

 

[Buddy]

Afraid so!

Manufacture of the tyres for Porsche seem to be spasmodic at best which is surprising as they know the order books are never empty for new cars and they will all need replacement tyres!

And the Porsche Tyre Promise doesn't work as well as it should. At one time I even had to tell them of a place which stocked the tyres they were supposed to be searching for! Yes, I did all of the phoning around!

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Seems to happen a lot.

Various makes have been out of stock now and again over the years. The only thing is to keep trying.

 

[spyderman]

Have been looking myself recently (albeit or 18s not 19s) and KwikFit have managed to beat the next best price (blackcircles.com) by £100 for a set of four Pirelli P Zero Rossos at around £650.

KwikFit also do a free warranty on Michelin tyres.

The shortage is being caused by massive cuts in production due to the recession, particularly by Michelin who closed at least one factory completely. Or so I'm told.

 

[Buddy]

I changed my Michelins last October and as the fronts weren't far behind the rears in wear ther was no reason to try to match them, the OPC offered Bridgestones which I am pleased with as for the wear rate that still has to be assessed.

Cost was just a little under £1K on 19"

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: Buddy
Cost was just a little under £1K on 19"

That's actually very good - especially from an OPC.

 

[Buddy]

I didn't expect it either but my son had a rear pair from them at a competitive price a while before so I asked for a quote.

 

[Arran]

Thanks for the response folks - at least I now know that it's not just me who is experiencing this problem.

 

[Nick_USA]

I was in a dealership today and they confirmed that there are currently supply issues with tyres, especially fronts (235/35/19). Warm weather and the fact that some tyre suppliers have been closing factories were the likely contributors.

 

[BartyB]

Two rear Pirelli P Zero Rossos 265 / 35 18ZR N4s (including fitting and VAT):

• from OPC = £512.68
  
• from Black Circles = £438.22
  
• from Kwik Fit = £392.60 (including Nitrogen fill)
  

Guess where I'm going?

 

[Dylan1]

ORIGINAL: BartyB

Two rear Pirelli P Zero Rossos 265 / 35 18ZR N4s (including fitting and VAT):

• from OPC = £512.68
  
• from Black Circles = £438.22
  
• from Kwik Fit = £392.60 (including Nitrogen fill)
  

Guess where I'm going?

OPC -obviously[]

 

[grahamwhite]

Porsche told me last month that they would pricematch anyone on tyres.

 

[Nick_USA]

ORIGINAL: BartyB

Two rear Pirelli P Zero Rossos 265 / 35 18ZR N4s (including fitting and VAT):

• from OPC = £512.68
  
• from Black Circles = £438.22
  
• from Kwik Fit = £392.60 (including Nitrogen fill)
  

Guess where I'm going?

Personally I would never go to the last one unless I was prepared to accept that my wheels would need refurbishing after.

 

[jerry]

I used 'E- Tyres' and paid £438 for the same tyres, like Black Circle they come to you and you don't get the hard sell for new shocks/brakes/exhaust and Air Con!

 

[BartyB]

Only the wheels will be going there; not the car!. And I'll be watching them like a hawk whilst they do them.

 

[KayF]

Hi Folks

Just bought a boxster and joined the forum. Failed MOT and having to replace tyres, a trackrod and lambda sensor.

Afer some ringing round and chasing, got a deal with Kwik-Fit to supply and fit 4 new Michelin Pilot Sports for under £650 which seems pretty good.

Cheers

 

[Mark_Bennett]

That does, are they the correct "N" marked Porsche pattern ones?

 

[KayF]

Yep, they are N3 rated. The fronts weren't on the website so we got them to order them. The original quoted price was £767 and we haggled down to £660 as their website says 25% off Michelins. Literally got back an hour ago from having them fitted so hot off the press prices and they come with a lifetime accidental damage guarantee.

 

[Nick_USA]

ORIGINAL: KayF

Yep, they are N3 rated. The fronts weren't on the website so we got them to order them. The original quoted price was £767 and we haggled down to £660 as their website says 25% off Michelins. Literally got back an hour ago from having them fitted so hot off the press prices and they come with a lifetime accidental damage guarantee.

... but you forget that Porsche tyres must not be repaired. I looked at the warranty and it isn't really lifetime and they will attempt to repair.

http://www.kwik-fit.com/michelin-damage-guarantee.asp

 

[Man_of_Steel]

ORIGINAL: Arran

The tyre in question is: Contisport Contact 3  265/35 ZR 19 94Y RT N1

After finding virtually every varient you could imagine other than this tyre I contacted Continental to be informed that they should have this tyre back in stock in June!

Is this the experience of other owners?

Recently had the same problem for front 235/35 ZR 19 N1's on my Cayman - I was also advised long waiting time for Contisport Contact 3's (to match the rears) - after much ringing around I got lucky via Blackcircles, but i think it is a bit of a lottery at present!

This can be very annoying when you still have 8mm left on rears and you need to replace a front - leaves you straring at almost £1K all round unless you are lucky. Rather than profiteering, pehaps Porsche GB should keep national stock of a good variety of makes and sizes and N numbers to save us the cost? Would be nice.... [8|]