help me with selecting some new rear tyres please

[Jinster]

It's time to replace my rear tyres on my MY97. Currently, it has a set of very worn 255/40/17 Goodyear Revspec RS02. This tyre was the Goodyear flagship many years ago but no longer available.

I have two lots of size options: 255/40/17 or 235/45/17. Which one would people recommend? I realise the 255 is wider by 2cm but does it make much of a difference? I am sure 235s are cheaper and open up more tyre options too. 235/45s also would correct the speedo overreading a bit compared to the smaller diameter 255/40.

Or would 235/45/17 even fit my rims??? I have 933 turbo rims on, like this:

http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/p...}&size=orig

It terms of actual models of tyres, do people have any thoughts and experiences on any of the following:

Dunlop SP Sport 2000E

Dunlop SP Sport MAXX TT

Bridgestone RE050A

Bridgestone RE001

GY Excellence

GY Eagle F1 Asym

GY Eagle F1 GS-D3

All comments welcome.

Edited September 6, 2009 by Jinster

[geoff]

If you change the tire width from the standard sizes, you will affect the amount of understeer or oversteer, i.e., handling. Boxsters have a bit of understeer in stock form. Larger rear tires will increase the amount of understeer, which might not be what you want. I think 255/40-17 is the standard rear tire size and 205/50-17 is the standard front tire size, so if you put narrower rear tires on, you will end up with less understeer or possibly oversteer

I have been very pleased with the Michelin Pilot Sport tires on my Boxster and Carrera, although very few places seem to have the Porsche N-rated tires in the older sizes these days

[ekam]

Stick with 255, you always want as much rubber on the ground as you can for the back. Don't think 235/45/17 is a common size either.

Don't think you want those crappy Dunlops. I heard good things here on the Eagle F1 GS-D3.

[Jinster]

Thanks for the replies. There is no F1 GS-D3 in 255/40/17 in Australia... It would have to be either GY Excellent, which I believe is a luxury type of tyre more than sports; or the Bridgestones...

I don't particularly worry about the N rating. I think it's a bit of marketing gimmick really. :)

[silver arrow]

Falken ze 912 in 255/40/17 rear and 225/45/17 front. They are inexpensive, very grippy and have good longevity.

[silver arrow]

If you don't care about wet weather or life of the tire, Kumho XS is the best non R comp tire right now.

[Jinster]

After researching, I think FK452 is the Falken flagship. There are a lot of good feedback on those from Nissan Skyline forums.

[Jinster]

After much deliberating, I went with Bridgestone Adrenaline RE001 255/40/17. They are $315AUD each.

Massive difference in ride quality and corner grip, easily felt without event pushing the car too hard, compared to my old Goodyear Revspec RS-02.

Although I remember the Revspec was pretty good when I first got them too 3 years ago. Obviously a worn set of tyres are no match for a newer set.

Nonetheless, very happy with the RE001s.

[Greek3]

Sounds heaps cheaper than those Michelin Pilot Sports I have on my boxster.

How many km have you done since changing to Bridgestone & what's the wear rate like?

I've read on some blogs that the RE001's sidewalls are softer and grip on wet is rather poor.

Would be great to know your experience with these tyres.

[grover]

If you don't care about wet weather or life of the tire, Kumho XS is the best non R comp tire right now.

Tire tech seems to progress every year, but as of today, this is the truth. Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs or Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 are damned near as fast dry, and have awesome wet grip, too; for that reason, I'd recommend these over the Kuhmos for a daily driver. If you're not autocrossing or tracking competitively, Sumitomo HTRZIII is nearly as fast (wet and dry) and really really cheap.

If you're looking for summer performance tires for a Porsche, I'd recommend looking only at these 4 tires. They're all faster than Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s, and cheaper to boot. They'll all wear out fast like PS2s (you'll be changing them about as often as you change your oil), but that comes with the grip- sure, you could put 60,000 mile all-seasons on a Boxster, but why? FWIW, I drive Dunlop Star Specs on my 04 986S, with 20mm wider than OEM in the front and OEM in the rear.

Edited February 5, 2010 by grover

[scbodnar]

I have the Falken 452 all around on my 99 Boxster (18 inch rims). The tires are lasting REALLY long, and are also dead quiet. Unfortunately, their grip is pretty weak when the temp starts to drop below 70F and they also have a narrower tread pattern than my other tire brands. Will not buy again since I sometimes drive the car on nice cold days during the New England winters. Pretty cheap, quiet and long wearing for warm weather driving.

Had Yokohamas, I believe the AVS model (V-tread pattern), and these had awesome grip. They also had a wider tread width (same size tire) than the other brands I have had. They are loud, especially as they wear down, which is pretty quick. Medium price and awesome grip cold or warm. One note: 2 garages could not get the bead to seat due to the stiffness of the sidewall. Talk about stiff!

The original Pirellis were middle of the road for everything except wet weather. As they wore a bit they became scary on rainy roadways. If you live in Arizona, you're probably safe!

Not sure yet which tire brand & model will be my next purchase.