Tyre reviews? Pirelli vs Conti vs Michelin

[GarrettOConnor1]

I would appreciate any views or data on relative performance of N-rated tyres.

I have a 996 facelift Carerra 4 that's going to need some boots soon. I'm looking at three options:
(1) Pirelli P Zero Rosso N4
(2) Continental ContiSportContact2 N2
(3) Michelin Pilot Sport 2 N3

The car is currently on Continental ContiSportContact2, grip seems good and handling progressive. However I've never driven a 911 with either the Michelin or Pirelli.
I can't find any objective comparisons or reviews on the web between these three tyres.
The subjective comments seem to suggest Michelin is the best, and Pirelli the least favoured. Michelin seems the most expensive so perhaps its a case of you get what you pay for....

I would be grateful for any info or opinions, or links to other reviews
Thanks

[GarrettOConnor1]

Thanks for all the comments, much appreciated

I've got 18 inch wheels, looks like Michelin is the one to go for.
One thing I don't understand is why the only Michelin given an N-rating for a 996 C4 by Porsche are the Pilot Sport 2 (N3) variety.
- Is this because the PS2 tyre is better suited to the 996 spring/damper rates and geometry than a more modern tyre, i.e. the PS4?
- Or is the reason that Porsche have simply never got around to doing the testing necessary to certify the PS4 for the 996 C4?

My instinct says Porsche have simply never got around to testing the PS4 but that's just a guess on my part - would appreciate any insight from anyone who knows the answer!

[GarrettOConnor1]

Thanks again to everyone for the info and advice.

For anyone interested, I did a bit more research into the Michelin PS4 and PSS, it turns out that as predicted they don't come in the right size for my 996 running on "tiny" 18-inch wheels. Every Porsche 911 wheel is 19 or 20 inches these days - 18 inches doesn't cut it any more! As I'm keen on getting N-rated tyres that means it PS2's for me!

[GarrettOConnor1]

Orangecurry said:

PS4 are widely available in 265/35/18 ?

ETA you want N-rated? Well OK, but as agreed by every tyre expert in the world, including Michelin, the PS4 is a huge leap ahead of the PS2.

You also may struggle to find new rears next time, and therefore end-up with a mixed set. Personally I don't have an issue with that, but it sounds like you may.

Good luck

Edited by Orangecurry on Tuesday 12th July 08:32

I was trying to find 285/30/18 which is the Porsche-blessed tyre size but I guess 265/35/18 would be a close fit. I've probably got a few months until I need to change (tread ~ 4mm) so may just hang on and see if
(1) PS4's get N-rated, or
(2) I change my mind about the importance on N-rating!

[G-996]

For anyone who is interested - I got an update on this topic today from Jamie McWhir, Michelin UK Customer Engineering Support Manager.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 has recently been approved by Porsche for the new Panamera, and new Boxster and Cayman. However there is no firm date for it to be approved on the new 911, or previous 911s with their specific wheel/tyre sizes.

However the good news is that Michelin will continue to make the Pilot Sport 2 N3 in 911 sizes for the next few years.

[G-996]

An update on this old thread - just had a full set of Michelin PS2s fitted to my 996.2 C4 running 18 inch wheels. Unsurprisingly, performance significantly better than the Continentals with 3mm tread which they replaced.

Interestingly there was a relatively long lead time of about 7 weeks between ordering them and actually getting them fitted. I bought them from CostCo as they were doing a deal on Michelins, and I was also pleasantly surprised by the quality of the costCo operation. The build dates on the tyres were all very recent: 1 x 2016 week 38; 2 x 2016 week 46; 1 x 2016 week 50!!! Almost as if Michelin are holding zero stock and build once they have an order backlog. As CostCo seem to have a close tie-in with Michelin, maybe that made them more committed to chasing up the order with Michelin?
Anyway, key lesson for anyone else buying PS2s in old 911 sizes - good things come to those who wait (and you might have to!) So don't leave it to the last minute before ordering...