Tyres for 986 Boxter S

[Spiggy1960]

Hi all.

Apologies if this is an overly trodden topic but......

Having owned my 2001 Boxter S for about a year, I need to replace the tyres.

Current set are Continental Sports Contact 2s N2 all round - 205/50/17s Front & 255/40/17s aft.

Handling has seemed fine with these but, of course, I have nothing to compare them with.

Recommendations please. Comments on Price / Handling / ride comfort / road noise will be gratefully received.

Supplier / fitter recommendations also welcome.

Many thanks & best wishes.

 

[Nick_USA]

ORIGINAL: Spiggy1960

Hi all.

Apologies if this is an overly trodden topic but......

Having owned my 2001 Boxter S for about a year, I need to replace the tyres.

Current set are Continental Sports Contact 2s N2 all round - 205/50/17s Front & 255/40/17s aft.

Handling has seemed fine with these but, of course, I have nothing to compare them with.

Recommendations please. Comments on Price / Handling / ride comfort / road noise will be gratefully received.

Supplier / fitter recommendations also welcome.

Many thanks & best wishes.

Always found the Cont's hard and noisy, there usually the cheapest though.

On our 986 S we are running Bridgestone Potenza S02A there are mid range on price but handle and wear well.

Where abouts are you ?

 

[Spiggy1960]

Hi Nick

Thanks for the reply. I'll check out the Bridgestones.

I'm based in Bridport, Dorset but spend a good deal of time in London for work.

Really looking forward to LeMans BTW (I am one of the 'Away Team').

Best regards

 

[Nick_USA]

ORIGINAL: Spiggy1960

Hi Nick

Thanks for the reply. I'll check out the Bridgestones.

I'm based in Bridport, Dorset but spend a good deal of time in London for work.

Really looking forward to LeMans BTW (I am one of the 'Away Team').

Best regards

If your down this way and looking for tyres you can always try these guys:

http://blackboots-px.rtrk.co.uk/index.php

Very Porsche friendly and also good on price.

 

[Clewsey]

Pirelli P-Zeros I've found to be excellent in terms of both wet and dry grip. Pretty good on track also. Noise levels pretty good also

Used these folk quite abit and reasonable prices. Between Basingstoke and Winchester. http://www.micheldever.co.uk.

 

[Spiggy1960]

Thanks Clewsey

To be honest I've read mixed reviews of P Zeros but happy to hear of your positive experience of them.

I'll look into the supplier too.

Best wishes

 

[chrismouzou]

Imo Bridgestone tyres seem to last much longer than other makes more milage

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: Clewsey
Pirelli P-Zeros I've found to be excellent in terms of both wet and dry grip. Pretty good on track also. Noise levels pretty good also.

+1 for PZero Rossos. No idea why some folk are dead against Pirellis. Got my last ones through blackcircles.com and had a local indy fit them.

Chris.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

I too found the Contis to be lacking in feel.

I now use Michelin (the Porsche N-marked ones) and the feel and feedback is tremendously improved. They are not cheap, but worth it for the increased enjoyment in driving they give.

The car originally came on Pirelli's (but I will say they are not the one's now offered). I found these to be far better than the cont's as well.

 

[MJB]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

I now use Michelin (the Porsche N-marked ones) and the feel and feedback is tremendously improved. They are not cheap, but worth it for the increased enjoyment in driving they give.

Likewise - good ride quality too.

 

[jleo]

Would agree with above 2 for Michelins and can also recommend Micheldever as in another post above. Or try Event tyres who will do mobile fitting in the London area but not sure about Dorset...

 

[Spiggy1960]

Great response chaps. Thanks very much.

Who'd've thought buying a set of new boots could be so interesting.

So to sum up - BS S-02As, Michelins (N marked) & Pirelli P Zeros - all seem to make a Boxter ride the road well.

Reading other forums the Bridgestone S-02As do get consistently good press and seem to be good VFM which is a major factor for me so they're probably what I'll try next.

One thing that has amazed me is the variation of prices asked for all of the tyres talked about here. As much as £100 variation in asking price!

'Tyre Shopper' who are a web based sub division of National Tyres have some great deals and you can select a local branch (hopefully one you can trust) to fit your tyres.
Also, 'OPONEO' sell premium brands direct at crazy discounts but it is advisable to make sure your local fitter is prepared to fit 'bring your own' tyres before you buy.

Of course the performance specialists will charge a bit more for their expertise and rim cosseting (!) equipment and it's always nice to deal with people who genuinely appear to care about your Porsche.

Lot's to think about...

Thanks again. See y'all at Silverstone.

 

[BartyB]

+1 for Pirelli P Zero Rossos.

I've run Contis, Michelins and PZeros on my 986 (though not at the same time[]). The P Zeros seem to be grippier than the Michelin in the dry and about the same in the wet. The Contis seemed to wear well but grip less than either P Zeros or Michelins. PZeros wear a bit quicker but seem to retain excellent grip down to 3mm. Like Chris, I can't understand why there is a lot of prejudice against the Pirellis.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: Spiggy1960


Thanks again. See y'all at Silverstone.

Ahhhh - Were you the Silver Boxster with the hardtop?
If so then were were the one's trying to get the directions to your campsite from a cranky website on Saturday night (we were in the black Boxster S).

 

[Spiggy1960]

Yup!

Thanks again for your help Mark. We found the campsite fine after your input.

Good to meet you both.

See you soon I hope.

All the best

 

[BartyB]

Owing to a nail through the shoulder of a front tyre (outside the safe zone) I've just ended up buying 2 x Pirelli P Zero Rossos 225/40 ZR18 (N4) from Blackcircles.com. Total cost was £273.68.

 

[asmith070887]

I went for 4 P-Zero Rossos on my 986 S and havent regretted it for a minute. Brilliant tyres. Replaced the Potenza's i had on it when i bought it.

 

[Spiggy1960]

All good to know.

In the end I settled for a set of Potenza S-02As (N4) and I am thrilled with them. Car rides really nicely and seems to hold the road well when I 'pedal it' a bit...

Very grateful for all the feed back on this one. Hopefully other subscribers will find it informative.

 

[PKE]

One thing to bear in mind is that drivers get used to the old tyres lacking in feel and grip (which is normal when they wear down) and then think their new tyres, whatever they may be, to be brilliant in comparison.

 

[Spiggy1960]

I'm sure that's true but it's been great to read peoples actual experiences of the different brands. Porsche have graded all the tyres discussed here with their N rating which tells us that a given tyre is suitable for our car. But there still comes the moment when your hard earned cash has to be put into one brand or another.
I remain grateful for all the feedback and very pleased with my new set of Bridgestones.
Perhaps I'll try a different brand next time.

All the best