Tyres Conti N2 vs N1

[Guest]

Am just about to buy 2 new Conti N2 rears to replace same on my '94 C2 Cabrio.

Fronts are Conti N1's with 5mm tread left so should be OK although one seems to have a slow puncture (takes about a week to drop from 36 to 32 psi), which I will get fixed at same time.

Kwik Fit are saying n1's aren't right and that should be n2's. tried various places for info on n1/n2 issue, but can't find anything on this issue

Given fronts have 5mm on am reluctant to replace unless I really have to (especially as I am hoping to do a track day fairly soon).

Anyone know the story on the N2/N1 issue?

Thanks

Keiran

 

[Mark_Bennett]

I seem to recall John Bond (JCB...) investigating and Continental saying different N ratings on front rear was ok - but not mixed on the axle.
Can't find the thread though...

How old are your fronts? Any more than about 3 or 4 years and they will not be at thier best anyway. Any cracking showing and they are no good.

There are a few links to tyre info in the FAQ in the General Forum. The link on N-rated tyres says don't mix 'em[]

 

[Guest]

I went through exactly the same dilemma.

I was buying my car from a private seller and it needed new rear boots. The fronts were N1's and the the seller could only (he was told) get N2's for the rear. I spent days calling friends and posting on sites about compatability. I have friends who have raced who told me "unless you race/track it won't matter as long as the difference is not cross axle" on the other hand other racing friends said "no way match all four corners". Three OPC said the same.

At the end of the day I came to the conclusion that I was not going to track the car or drive with extreme race/track paremeters so I was happy putting N2's on the rear and leaving the "good" N1's on the front.

In any case the car went to for new struts and the independant specialist told me the fronts were uneven in wear so I put new N2's on the front 2 weeks later......

You can also see the thread at :

http://www.911uk.com/forum/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=11&TopicID=1867&SearchPagePosition=2&search=WillD&searchMode=allwords&searchIn=Author&forum=0&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

Was just re-reading that thread and found :

From Continental Tyres;

"thank you for your inquiry regarding N ratings on the tyres for your Porsche. Production tyres that have passed all of the tests and received the engineering department's release can be branded with an N-specification. The N-specification brandings include: N-0 (N-zero), N-1, N-2, N-3 or N-4. These markings on a tyre's sidewall clearly identify then as approved by Porsche for their vehicles. The N-0 marking is assigned to the first approved version of the tyre design. As that design is refined externally or internally, the later significant evolutions will result in a new generation of the tyre to be branded with N-1,N-2,N-3, etc., in succession. When a completely new tyre design is approved, it receives the N-0 branding and the succession begins again.

As long as you have the same N ratings on the same axle then there is no cause for concern".

 

[Guest]

Cheers (Will?) the quote from Conti makes it pretty clear - no worries on same axle - just saved me £200 odd quid, which means I can afford to have one of the alloys refurbed instead - much more satisfying!

Thanks guys.

Keiran