Need to replace tires, brakes on 2003 Boxster

[rshetye]

hi,

:help:

I am a new member so please redirect me if this is the wrong forum.

I went to Fremont Porsche (SF Bay Area, CA), and this time I was not happy with the service, even though I bought the car from them in 2003.

Long story short, they told me it would be $1600+ for new tires :eek: , and another $1000+ for new brake pads. :eek: :eek:

While I am not a cheapskate :), my prior non-Porsche cars like Infiniti did not cost 1/3rd as much. (perhaps its time for me to learn Porsche-budgeting)

Can anyone suggest better options ? :lightbulb:

thanks in advance!

[Loren]

:welcome:

Tire Rack and Custom Alignment (Mountain View) install - under $1000

DIY Brakes - under $300 (as long as rotors are still good)

IMHO....

[Highlander]

I agree with Loren on Tire Rack for tires. Go to their website and pick the tires of your choice. They will drop ship to any number of recommended installers. http://www.tirerack.com

Porsche brakes have to be the easiest install of any manufacturer. Contact list sponsor Sunset Imports @ 1-800-346-0182 (ask for Porsche parts). Tell them you heard of them through RennTech and you will get a killer deal on OEM pads. Check out these fantastic instructions to see if you want to try the swap yourself. http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster/projects/brakes/

Good Luck,

Graeme

[rshetye]

Thanks you for your help guys.

I'll let you know how things work out.

[rshetye]

hi,

Need some more help.

Initially the guy at Custom Alignment said I should go with Michelin PS2s but my car is 205/50/17 at the front, and 255/40/17 at the rear, and Michelin does not make 205/50/17 PS2 tires, so that's not an option. Also, Custom Alignment said "dont mix and match tires" i.e. PS2 on rear and S-02s on the front.

Then the Custom Alignment guy suggested that I should avoid all Dunlop tires. Also personally I am not very keen on Goodyear. Are those biases valid ?

He also suggested that I should go with Bridgestone S-02s. TireRack offers S-02As, but not the S-02s. How much does that matter ? I dont drive on the track. My boxster is a daily driver for me so I value handling and ride comfort equally.

Moreover, the TireRack survey shows that the Bridgestone RE050A is rated higher than the suggested S-02A, and the GoodYear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is rated even higher than both. However, my feeling is that the Goodyears are probably not a good fit for the Boxster, though they might serve well on other sports cars - (though I don't know why I feel that way). If I am wrong, please tell me so and I'll gladly buy the Goodyear.

What would you guys suggest ?

I did do my research and have attached the links to the valid pieces of information, but now I am confused and would very much appreciate guidance from a more knowledgable source. :notworthy:

thank you very much for all the help. :renntech:

Tire Survey Results: Max Performance Summer

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresult...=17&type=MP

TireRack ranking is in the order below:

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...l=SP+Sport+Maxx

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...Pilot+Sport+PS2

Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...=Eagle+F1+GS-D3

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...=Potenza+RE050A

Bridgestone Potenza S-02 A

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...=Potenza+S-02+A

[Highlander]

Don't sweat the lack of 205/50-17 in a PS2. A nice upgrade that fits perfectly on the stock 7" wheel is to go 225/45-17. the rolling circumference is virtually identical to a 205/50-17 and the added width reduces a little of the inherant understeer the factory builds in.

I'll soon be fitting the Eagle F1 GS-D3 in 225/45-17 and 255/40-17 sizes to my stock 17" wheels.

Graeme

[rshetye]

Appreciate the help very much. Will be going ahead with the same tire sizes as what you will be putting on your car. :thumbup:

Since I'm making an online purchase, I was very concerned about getting into a dicey situation like getting the wrong tire or the wrong tire size. So thanks a million for the advice and the assurances !!!! :notworthy:

I dont know if anyone has explicilty mentioned it, but this is an extremely friendly and helpful forum and you guys make things a lot easier for us "unexperts". The only other online forum that feels so close-knit is my USC Trojans' WeAreSC site. :cheers:

Porsche family and Trojan family! Looks like I have great genes :D

:drive:

Edit: Added link to Aug 2005 Car and Driver Tire comparisons between 11 tires - this should help others making similar comparisons. FYI - C&D compared only the all-season handling and price, not ride comfort or noise levels.

Total Points = 2 x dry handling points + wet handling points + 1/2 x price points.

(PDF) http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tests...gy_f1_gs_ds.pdf (PDF)

#1 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

#4 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (probably took a hit because of price)

Edited July 2, 2006 by rshetye

[Cassiebox]

I recently switched from the OE Michelin Pilot SX's to Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3. I only have about 500 miles on them (mostly dry but some wet) and all I can say is they are great. Very quiet, very sticky, very smooth and about $300 less expensive than the Pilot Sports I was considering. $ wasn't the objective (but certainly a consideration) and I really wanted something quieter and not as harsh of a ride. Love 'em so far and can't wait to see how well they hold up. If the C&D test is right, I should be good to go as they have a 280 treadwear rating

[Highlander]

I should mention the PS2 is currently my favorite street tire. They are quiet, have great dry grip and absolutely astonishing wet grip. They have a rather soft sidewall which makes their ride quality fantastic too. The reason I'm getting the Eagles is purely financial - the race alignment I have on my car tears up tires in a big hurry. If I had a stock alignment, I'd be getting the PS2's.

Graeme