Tyres........

[Alan_Armstrong]

I'm sure it has been asked and answered...and I will search to other threads, BUT I need to replace the rear two tyres, currently Pirelli 700Z 225/60 16...

One tyre has a slow puncture...traced but cant be fixed...too close to the side wall...as the tyres are old anyway...fitted '97...I don't want to find a new 'old stock' Pirelli to match....so.....my tyre bloke has suggested Continentals as fitted to modern Porsche..Zr rated with a 'N' compound??? around £105 per tyre..ballances, Vat etc....

Opinions or suggestions please.........

 

[Guest]

Up until recently I was running ContiSports on the rear. They are okay but I believe the recommended tyre is an SO2 if you can find them.

I suppose it depends on what tyres and rating you have on the fronts.

 

[plhorner]

This one has been thrashed trought on the Titanic forum over the last year, we need Richard Bernau for the definative answer !!!
From what I remember, S02's are no londer available. Your tyre choice depends on the type of driving you're doing, track days / regular road driving etc and also the condition of your cars suspension and geometry.
Just a couple of points to bare in mind:
- Forget N rated tyres on the 3.2, they wern't around when the vehicle was designed. As far as I know the N just stands for Porsche approved and are no different to the same non N rated tyre from the same manufacturer. If you have a GT3, that maybe a different story.
- Unless your suspension has been overhauled, new shocks, bushes and fully aligned, forget the really serious sticky tyres. I'd go just for a good branded tyre, Conti, Pirelli or Good Year. (and consider an overhaul, it makes a big differnece)
- If the car is 'fully sorted' go for the S02's or there replacements (S03's which I understand are not quite as good??? Richard ?), Michellin Pilots Sports, Yokohama etc.

Have a look at www.mytyres.co.uk for a good price comparrison. Don't forget that these prices don't include fitting, that shouldn't add up to too much at a good garage though.

Well, thats just my opinion !!! I'm sure I'll be shouted down......

Cheers,

 

[Guest]

Well put !

I use PZero on mine, mostly because they were a good price (same as the old P7000, which were good enough), now they have been replaced by the Rosso and Corso versions.

 

[ClubSport 911]

FYI - S02's are available..but you need to hunt for them.

Try HiQ Tryes in Bedford (ask for Colin) - he could only get them for me 2 at a time, and did a pretty good deal as well !

Rgds

STEVE

 

[911sse]

I fitted 4No S02's in March this year to my 911 Supersport. The fronts were easily found, the backs took a little time. I think they cost around £105 for the fronts and £115 for the rears, fitted.

The car had S02's when I bought it and I had S02's on my 944. Since I drive the 911 in much dryer conditions, I find the S02's have great grip and a good side wall for cornering. What little time I have spent in rain, has been heavy and they seem to be nearly on a par with a Goodyear Eagle F1.

My Porsche mechanic mate says I should have fitted Michelin Pilot Sports. But I thought they were just too expensive, and from what I have heard, wear too quickly!

I have bought Pirelli's (did not rate them on the rear of the 944), Goodyear Eagle F1 (a god-send on the back of the 944 in the North East of Scotland weather) and Conti-sports (great all round tyre).

Forget 'N' ratings for 3.2's. It is irrelevant. Some people swear by Toyo's and Hancook tyres and such 'lesser' brands. It would be interesting to hear any views on these.

Hope this helps.

 

[937carrera]

I'd agree with what most people have written about S02's above... and that the S03's are not as good.

Goodyear Eagles seem to be marginally poorer in wet and dry conditions than the S02's but last about 40-50% longer.

I have been quite pleasantly surprised by Michelin Pilot Sports on another car. They were better that the S03's I tried. They last quite a long time too, but if you go for the Pilot Sport Cup tyres, as used in the Club Championship you'll find the dry grip levels astounding, but they will wear out quickly.

Tyres are always a compromise, but they are the only parts of the car in contact with the road[]

 

[Guest]

I took off non N rated tyres when I bought my 3.2 and put Conti Sport Contact N rated on, and I reckon that the car feels more stable at speed because of it.

Just because N rated tyres weren't about when the 3.2 was made is not a reason to not take advantage of the new technology now that we have it - I believe that the N rating gives a stronger side wall to support the weight of the engine and our engines are roughly as heavy as those on the new cars.

I've not experienced other N rated tyres, but I have to say that the Contis have not been any problem at all and I drive my car every day, rain, shine, damp, dry or cold and I don't poodle around like a girlie either.

 

[plhorner]

Iain,
The point is that all the N rating means is that its Porsche Approved. A manufacturer (eg Continental) can sell the same tyre with and without the N rating moulded on the side wall, the only difference between the two tyres is the price ! As long as you buy quality tyres you shouldn't go far wrong.
The bottom line is, save your money and forget that little expensive N rating !!!!

 

[Guest]

So which tyres are exactly the same as my Conti Sport Contacts but without the N - I will be very interested to speak to Continental and have this confirmed.

 

[plhorner]

Iain,
Have a look at www.mytyres.co.uk , Conti Sport Contacts are available in the std. sizes for the 3.2 in non N rated form. (Conti was just an example, I might add)
N rated tyres are not specially made for Porsche, the cost of a bespoke tyre must be extremely expensive, but are those that have been specifically tested by Porsche. These include the likes of Continental, Michelin & Bridgestone.
I remember seeing new 964's fitted as standard with Toyo tyres which is very interesting, most people consider these tyres to be budget covers !! Just goes to show, to an extent you are paying for the name!

Regards,

 

[Guest]

I've actually e-mailed Continental in Germany for an answer on this - I'll let you know their response.

 

[Guest]

Well the official line is as follows:-

My e-mail to Continental:-
"I have N rated Conti Sport Contacts on my Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera and it has been suggested to me that I could by EXACTLY the same tyre cheaper if it wasn't N rated i.e. that the N means nothing in the construction of the tyre - please could you let me know if this is true, and if it isn't, please tell me what the differences are between the N rated tyre and the non N rated tyre."

Response from Continental:-
"It is absolutely imperative that you fit N prefix tyres to your Porsche. This tyre is constructionally very different to a standard version. Not only would a standard tyre probably provide a deterioration in handling performance, it may also invalidate your insurance policy."

Don't know about the rest of you, but I'm sticking with N rated.....

 

[Guest]

Were 3.2 carreras fitted with 'N' rated tyres when the car was made ?
If not, and you use them now, then that is a modification to the car.

I have never deliberately used 'N' rated tyres on my SC, or either of my 3.2s, but go for an all-round good tyre (good in wet/dry), and have never had a problem with either the tyres not performing correctly, or with the insurance company when my car was written off and they paid out in full.

Something tells me this is all a bit of a con - you wouldn't expect a tyre company to say anything other than that the 'N' tyres are better, else how could they justify them ?
A bit like the 'super' petrol saga - 5p/litre more adds up after a while.

 

[Guest]

Yes, but none of the tyres that were manufactured in 1988 are likely to be around now which, using your logic, means that you can not avoid modifying your car.

I don't know when N rated tyres were introduced, but I would have thought that the first 911 that they were officially fitted to does not differ considerably in the chassis/weight department from my 3.2 Carrera, making them just as relevant for my car as they are for that car.

Continental's reponse regarding handling and insurance is subjective, but they state factually that N rated tyres are "constructionally very different", so whether you use them or you don't use them, you can't argue that they will differ during use from the standard tyre - it is not simply a case of the tyre manufacturers sticking an N on the sidewall for good measure.

 

[Guest]

Good point about the modifying/tyres no longer being made.

I still find it odd that the 'N' tyres are so different, structurally. The implication is that non-N tyres are inferior, but in what way ? And, if they are that different, then the non-N tyres must be that inferior. ??????

Also, if 'N' rated are only for porkers, then I am surprised that so many tyre manufacturers make products for a limited car market.

Having said all that, I am still a bit confused about the whole issue of 'N' rating, in as much as I would like to know just how different they are, structurally.
As I said, my non-N tyres have never let me down, and always seem to perform as well as the car wants/can.

 

[Guest]

I think that we'd all like to know how these tyres differ but I guess we never will.

I don't think non N rated are necessarily inferior, they are just geared for cars with "normal" weight distribution.

Also, I don't know how many manufacturers make N rated tyres, but I think it's just the big boys - and there must be enough Porsches around to make it worthwile - we all know how long they go on for, it's probably quite a good market.

It would be great to get 5 or 6 3.2s together, all with different tyres and then let one professional racing driver try them out and give his opinion - might settle this argument for good!

 

[944Turbo]

Also original N0 tyres are now an old design (over 10 years) and I would hope tyre technology has improved over this time, so fitting the latest goodyear eagles or whatever should be a better tyre than a 10 year old N-0 design. The latest N-3's are optimised for the latest cars but may not be ideal for a 15 year old model. If you want the piece of mind of fitting n-rated do, but I don't think it's neccesary. I would fit a good quality sports tyre though, definately with the right speed rating.

Tony

PS I have seen an early 911 Turbo fitted with nankangs, a tyre that my brother once had on a mini and to quote him ' they have the grip of soap in a wet bath ' maybe the 911 owner enjoyed oversteer!

 

[Mike58]

OK Here is a good sensible answer, fit Michelin Pilot Sports at COSTCO they shouldn't be more than £110.
Or fit Toyo proxes T1S go up to 245/4516 if on 8/9 rear rim.
Mike

 

[Guest]

Are you supposed to fit N rated tyres to 944s then?