Tyres for a 997S coupe

juliany27 · Aug 9, 2009

To my horror I discovered that the rear near-side tyre had virtually deflated itself to about 12 PSI. I used an electronic pump and inflated to 43 PSI. Drove about 50 miles - no problems and the tyre looks ok.

I now seek advice: -
1. Should I replace that tyre or both rear tyres?
2. Should I replace all 4 tyres?
3. If I should need to replace any tyre[]s or should I go to an OPC or independent tyre supplier and fitter?
4. Which company near North/North west London would be best and also open on a Saturday morning?
5.I currently have Michelin Pilot Sports tyres and would like to use the same tyres.

Please do not forget that I am strictly a non-techie and would prefer relatively simple advice and answers from the 997/911 community out there.

Thanks, folks

PS Sorry about the crossing out - a problem with the computer - shows I am a real life non-techie!!

adrian996 · Aug 9, 2009

Hi Julian. If you ask the question I would guess that most tyre retailers are going to tell you that you do need to replace the tyre - and (hang on, Sir! You can't just go replacing one rear tyre and not the other - not on a car like this, Sir!)[

]

The bottom line is: as long as the wall of the tyre has not been damaged it should be fine. However! If you intend doing high speeds in the car over long distances then you might want to get it checked. Personally I would get this done somewhere where they don't have an interest in selling you new tyres (maybe your local Porsche indi...?).

It's a very tricky situation because as soon as you tell any tyre retailer what has happened they're very likely to tell you that you need to replace the tyre(s) because a). they want to cover their backs; and b). they want your money. Your Michelin Pilot Sport tyres have been developed over years and have had a sorts of abuse thrown at them before they were able to gain the Porsche "N" rating. You've got to ask yourself whether running one at around 12psi for a short period is going to put you and the car "at risk". Personally, I doubt whether it would and if it were my car I would just go easy on it for a while an see how they look visually after a few hundred more miles.

Now before any critics start cracking their knuckles and hitting their keyboards in reply to this let me give you a similar scenario (which could easily have dangerous consequences!). Four years ago my OPC told me that all four of my brake discs were corroded and that I was "dicing with death" by not replacing all four discs (at a coast of around £1K). I still have the same brake discs on the same 911 and they've flown through four MOTs without question and stopped me in an instant on at least three or four heart-stopping occasions since. They don't wear (the same) brake pads any more than they should and they pull the car up in a straight line without pulling to either side. Don't get me wrong - they look bloody awful on the inside surfaces - but looks (as they say) aren't everything![

]

Techie or non-techie, Julian - it's largely guess work whether a tyre will be "letting - go" in the near future, or not. If the tyre looks visually damaged then best get it checked - but NOT by ATS!![

]

Adrian.

garyw · Aug 9, 2009

Julian

Depends on what the reason for the deflation was and is the side walls have been damaged- a tyre centre or OPC would answer that question but cracks would be the obvious signs of damage. at only 12 psi I'd have a guess that the side wall has been damaged.
I wouldn't want a worn sidewall any more than a punctured tyre!!

I'd ask both the OPC and tyre centre for costs, I've just had an OPC cheaper than a tyre centre (but they were too busy to get me in for a few days.[

])

Why 4 tyres???
If the tyre has to be repaced then the amount of tread I'd want similar and if its worn I'd possibly replace the set on the same axle, otherwise I'd run them until actually needed replacement.

I'd stick with the Michelins too if I had them on my car..

garyw

john crannis · Aug 10, 2009

Hello Julian,
Why not take your car to an independant tyre supplier, and ask him to remove the tyre in question and see if there is any damage showing on the inside, as Michelin have very strong and flexible sidewalls, and it may not have suffered any damage.

Adam2S · Aug 10, 2009

Get it repaired! I was very unlucky and had 3 punctures on my gen1 997 C2S (all different wheels), however I was lucky enough that none of them were sidewall punctures. Had all 3 repaired and had no problems whatsoever. Dealer originally told me they couldnt be repaired but my local tyre specalist said otherwise and did the repairs.

chris.hevey · Aug 10, 2009

Hi Julian,

Call me devious, but how about you go to a tyre specialist and say you ran one of the tyres a bit flat and would they mind checking for potential damage. Just decline to tell them which one.

Chris

adrian996 · Aug 10, 2009

Now that is devious! Good idea - but still devious. I'd say that makes you devious, Chris.[

]

Rob Edwards · Aug 10, 2009

Julian
For what it's worth, I changed my Michelin Sport Pilots a while back and after some deliberation changed to Pirelli P Zeros.
Not only did I save nearly £400 but I'm very pleased with them. Fine in the wet, great in the dry, and it's amazing the difference new tyres make. Car felt much more planted and also more comfortable.
The Pilots are a fine tyre, but for the saving and performance the Pirellis are definitely worth a look IMHO.
Cheers
Rob

Rodney Naghar · Aug 10, 2009

Julian,

Call these guys, they are usually the cheapest or very close, ask them if they have your tyres in stock, drive in and ask them to take the offending tyre aoff nd have a look inside, if it's shredded/damaged inside get it/both rears changed, otherwise just leave it on.

0208 459 6191
Dudden Hill Lane 78
NW10 1DJ London

chris.hevey · Aug 10, 2009

ORIGINAL: adrian996

Now that is devious! Good idea - but still devious. I'd say that makes you devious, Chris.[]

I clearly missed my vocation. [8D]

juliany27 · Aug 10, 2009

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

I have had a look at the tyres this evening. The rears seem fully inflated but I will play safe and try to get them checked. It is better to be safe than sorry, I suppose.

As for Michelins or Pirellis, I really do not know which to pick. I assume that Michelins on the front and Pirellis on the rear make no difference to safety etc.

All further suggestions will be carefully considered.

Rodney Naghar · Aug 10, 2009

I wouldn't mix Brands on a car, stick with the Michelins they are excellent tyres.

Dylan1 · Aug 10, 2009

stick with the Michelins they are excellent tyres.

absolutely my experience-michelin pilot sports are way better than the previous incumbents!!best £1100 ive spent on the car[

]

okellyt · Aug 11, 2009

Agree with the other comments here - Stick with the pilots, they are the best tyre for the C2/C2S. Mixing brand tyres is not a good idea (less predicatability near or on the limit - even if you don't drive that hard all it takes is to hit some wet leaves, ice or cow pats.....)

ds7_uk · Aug 12, 2009

Replaced all tyres on my 997S 2 months ago. 19" Michelin 'N' rated which i understand is pre requisite for maintaining warranty.

Costco Nrth Circular at Chingford £903 all in [

]- they did have 25% discount running but I understand this comes around regularly

Darren

juliany27 · Aug 17, 2009

I am off to the OPC in Hatfield tomorrow morning to have the rear tyres checked and replaced if necessary.

I will also ask them to look at the front tyres and ask for a PCGB discount.

Then off to a prison in cambridgeshire to see clients about appeals ... at least I will get a nice fast run tomorrow.

Rodney Naghar · Aug 17, 2009

ORIGINAL: juliany27

I am off to the OPC in Hatfield tomorrow morning to have the rear tyres checked and replaced if necessary.

I will also ask them to look at the front tyres and ask for a PCGB discount.

Positively the last thing I'd do in your circumstances.
Say hello to open wallet surgery.

Dylan1 · Aug 17, 2009

if you get a good deal you wont regret it-good tyres and a good steering wheel are money well spent(imho)!!

juliany27 · Aug 17, 2009

ORIGINAL: dyllan

if you get a good deal you wont regret it-good tyres and a good steering wheel are money well spent(imho)!!

But from whence?

I only have part of tomorrow to sort out this problem.

I could try the place in NW London, but I am really adrift when I think about whom I can trust.

hdoherty · Aug 18, 2009

Julian
Just becauce you are not a technie dosent mean you cant look at your tyres and check them yourself. As a car owner you need to check your tyres fairly often say once a week( i check mine prior to every journey now i dont mean a full check but basically look at them fairly quickly for any damage or if they look deflated). I have the advantage of having on board tyre monitoring and can see the pressures all the time. I had an experience lately when i bought an new x5 with 20" run flats. I covered about 500 miles and guess what puncture in the passenger side rear tyre. Went to tyre specialist and they said it could not be repaired as bmw do not allow such repairs. The puncture was a small nail in the middle of tyre. Tyre specialist had not got a tyre and had to order it. Mean time i discussed with bmw and yes no repairs were allowed and they also told me insurance would not cover me if i was involved in a accident and found out if tyre was repaired. 3 days later new tyre arrived and was fitted at a cost of 345 gbp,s. A week later guess what a puncture in the same tyre again. Went back to tyre specialist and viewed tyre again small nail in tyre near enough centre again. I instructed him to repair tyre which he did reluctantly. I did another 20,000 miles on that tyre and travelled all around Europe on autobans and never had a problem.
Now i did no travel any great distance after i got punctures and tyres were practical new.
regards