Talking about N-specs tires...

[juankimalo]

Hi guys.

My rear tires are at the end of their life. My car brings Michelin Pilot Sport PS1 N1. They are N specifications tires by Porsche.

The sizes are:

- front = 225/40 R18

- rear = 285/30 R18

The brands with N specs by Porsche are:

- Muchelin PS1 N1 (the same I have) . I heat them. They are very noisy and began to be rather hard as glassy.

- Continental Sport Contact 2 N2 (I like them, good compromise)

- Pirelli P-Zero (Don't want them)

- Bridgestone S02 (great tires. Be carefully not to mount "S02A")

My question is... I read in this forum lots of users who mounted Non N-specs tires.

What can you tell me about them? steering response, treadwear, cornering stability, noise comfort...

What is your experience?

All of you know that N specs tires have a reinforced sidewall with diferent compound and internal contruction. They are designed to hold the rear train of a 911. A Porsche 911 is a diferent car and needs the best engineering desing.

What can you recomend me in Non N specs tires? (brand , etc)

[White987S]

Can you get Michelin PS2's in your part of the World? They are a great tire and Porsche approved.

[bhussung]

I now run "Kumho Ecsta SPT"s on my 2000 Cab. After I went through a set of SO3's in only 7,500mi, I decided to look for a less expensive tire. The road noise is a little louder than the SO3s, cornering and wet traction are about the same, but I get around 12,000mi(19,000km)/set and they only cost me about $550USD for all 4. I am now on my second set of Kumhos, and would recommend them to anyone, even thought they are not OEM for Porsche.

[Kim]

What can you recomend me in Non N specs tires? (brand , etc)

You should do a search. You will turn up more reading on this subject than you have time for.

I love my Goodyear Eagle F1, GSD3s. When I bought them, they were the current (Fall, 04) first choice of the Car & Driver high performance tire test. Wet & dry grip is great. Road noise low to moderate (until the wear bars are reached). Tread wear has been better than I read from most on the forum, but then I drive a Tip, no track, and most of the driving is of the "daily driver" variety. I do a little high speed interstate running, and the tires feel solid as a rock. Rears lasted just under 30k, fronts still good at 40k+.

[wdonovan]

I mounted Toyo T1R's on my 2002 C4 Cabrio because I loved them on my Vette. Now I have a Porsche that used to handle like a gocart but now it's more like an old Lincoln. Never again.

[fasterjames]

I mounted Toyo T1R's on my 2002 C4 Cabrio because I loved them on my Vette. Now I have a Porsche that used to handle like a gocart but now it's more like an old Lincoln. Never again.

I had them too. It was like driving on a full-time hydroplane.

[Tool Pants]

I am on my second set of Sumitomo on my Boxster. Don't know if the come in 996 sizes. Good bang for the buck.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...amp;hl=Sumitomo

[gaspasser19]

I'm running the Continental SC2's right now on my 2003 C4 cab. I received them with a set of 18" Sport Design rims I bought about 10K miles ago. They had about 90% tread on them when I got them and I honestly think they're about 75% now. That translates into a long life compared to what I've heard from other people. My driving style could certainly be characterized as spirited and these tires have never let me down wet or dry. To tell the truth, the car has a lot more to give than I'm willing to take! :rolleyes:

[Izzy]

For my daily driving, I run Falken FK-452, and they are a great bang for the buck. I have 2 set of wheels, so keep the track tires separate. In my opinion, why buy expensive Autobahn tires to drive to the office at 45 mph? The FKs are great for wet or dry. I spend more on track tires, where I will spend a lot of time on 3 digit speeds, high heat, etc.

[Luis Redinha]

Hi,

Bridgestone S02 (great tires. Be carefully not to mount "S02A")

Why???

Thanks

Luis

[juankimalo]

Hi,

Bridgestone S02 (great tires. Be carefully not to mount "S02A")

Why???

Thanks

Luis

All my friends who mounted this tire were very disappointed about the cornering stability, and handling compared to S02.

I finally purchased Bridgestone Potenza R050A without N-specs.

They seem to be fantastic

My rear size 285/30 R18 is not available in Good Year Eagle F1 GSD3. What a pity!

But they are available for 996 Mk1 owners (265/35 R18)

[juankimalo]

I must say that they are fantastic

3.500 kms and the R050A works perfectly

Excellent grip,

[C2cab]

I now run "Kumho Ecsta SPT"s on my 2000 Cab. After I went through a set of SO3's in only 7,500mi, I decided to look for a less expensive tire. The road noise is a little louder than the SO3s, cornering and wet traction are about the same, but I get around 12,000mi(19,000km)/set and they only cost me about $550USD for all 4. I am now on my second set of Kumhos, and would recommend them to anyone, even thought they are not OEM for Porsche.

bhussung -

any downsides to the Kumho tires? I bought a 996 C2 Cab that came with Kumhos on it. The rears will need to be replaced in a few thousand miles and I am trying to figure out the best option. I don't know anything other than the Kumhos so my basis for comparison is limited. I am fine paying a bit more if the difference is noticeable, but the absolute price is hard to resist barring a clear reason (read safety or noticeable performance gap) to go with more expensive rubber.

[KevinMac]

The "N" only means that Porsche passed on it's requirements to the manufacturer. The number after the N desigination means the amount of times the tires have gone through the homologation process. The "N" spec is put on a tire manufactured that meets Porsches traction, noise, comfort and treadwear needs.

With that said it does not mean that other manufacturers will not exceed the Porsche specs, they just have not gotten them certifed.

I suggest you do a compare of the tires with the "N" ratings and other brands. I for one have seen other tires exceed the original equipment tire results by testing.

A good reference is the tire rack. Put in your vehicle or tire size, it will give you all the tires available for your application, and test results.

http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp?keyword=...C13674x017&