New Pirelli PZero (PZ4)
Discussion
rbh said:
My limited understanding is that on the 991 Porsche the only "N" tyre that Porsche allow is the P Zero (original). However it appears that the new P Zero supersedes the older tyre but doesn't seem to have Porsche approval. To maintain Porsche warranty what tyre do we have to use now?
The Pirelli site makes it pretty clear it is N rated for the Cayman S on 19" wheels. I'm not a great fan of the existing PZeros but was hoping that someone might know if the new one was a step forward.woodysnr said:
Have P Zero on the new Spyder one thing to watch out for no rim protectors so wheels can get kerbed very easy .On the 987 Spyder have Michelin PS2 and are fine .only driven the new one a few hundred miles so no comparison but think the PS2 area a better tyre by all accounts
I like the idea of kerb protectors, but I do wonder if they really work (and I'm not going to do any experiments to find out).woodysnr said:
Rim protectors on the tyre work trust me .The 981 Spyder wheel looks like it is about to shed the tyre on the P Zeros s looks bad compared to the 987 Spyder where it sits hard against the rim
I understand what you are saying, I just wonder whether the rubber is hard enough either to deflect the wheel, or provide feedback through the steering strong enough to make the driver react quickly enough, but I'd certainly prefer to have a bit of rim protector than not.Just got a set of Pirelli PZero N1s (ie PZ4 as marked on the sidewall) tyres. I have them because my N0 Pzeros started cracking - as others have experienced - and Pirelli (whatever you might think of the tyres, their customer service was superb) have - without any hastle - replaced a pair of front tyres for free (My rears were close to the limit in any case). I shall fit the N1S in the next couple of days and report back. I was much impressed by the steering on the 718 with N1 Pirellis - it will be interesting how much was down to the change of tyres and how much to the change in steering.
Now have fitted the new N1 Pzeros to my 19" wheels and covered quite few miles, though none in heavy rain or (obviously) cold conditions. Initial results are positive and at least some of improvements I felt the 718 had over the 918 are down to the change from N0 to N1 Pirellis.
A point to note (and what I thought was an error) the garage fitting the tyres inflated them to 33psi all round rather than 29/30 the 981 handbook recommends for 19" wheels. However according to my OPC the 718 pressures ARE now specified as 33 all round. Why this change of recommendation I don't know - though it did seem odd that the recommended pressures for 20" wheels should have been higher than 19s before.
My initial findings - some of which may be due to the higher pressures.
1) The steering is lighter and has more feel - not as good as the 718 in that respect, but now, for me, acceptable. (My steering feel has improved in any case as the miles have mounted, and is now clearly better than when new)
2) Front end bite is better and there is less initial understeer, and, probably as a consequence, the car is more throttle adjustable.
3) The rear feels a tad less planted - but nothing like as loose as it is on my winter dunlops. I regard that as a positive.
4) Contrary to what you might expect, the ride (PASM) has actually improved a little, though bump thump over sharp irregularities such as cats eyes is worse. (The N0s were outstanding quiet in that respect and the N1s are still good)
5) Concern was expressed by one poster about the lack of rim protectors. The N1 is much better than the N0 in that respect - despite the lack of rim protectors. The actual sidewall of the tyre projects beyond the rim noticeably more on the N1 than the N0 - so you are more likely to curb the tyre rather than the rim.
Unknowns as yet. Tyre roar (I have not gone on particularly coarse motorway services yet) and wet weather behaviour (though they seem progressive on damp roads)
The only real downside is the scrubbing on full lock seems to be just as bad as ever - and will only get worse as temperatures fall later in the year.
But, overall I'm more impressed than I expected.
A point to note (and what I thought was an error) the garage fitting the tyres inflated them to 33psi all round rather than 29/30 the 981 handbook recommends for 19" wheels. However according to my OPC the 718 pressures ARE now specified as 33 all round. Why this change of recommendation I don't know - though it did seem odd that the recommended pressures for 20" wheels should have been higher than 19s before.
My initial findings - some of which may be due to the higher pressures.
1) The steering is lighter and has more feel - not as good as the 718 in that respect, but now, for me, acceptable. (My steering feel has improved in any case as the miles have mounted, and is now clearly better than when new)
2) Front end bite is better and there is less initial understeer, and, probably as a consequence, the car is more throttle adjustable.
3) The rear feels a tad less planted - but nothing like as loose as it is on my winter dunlops. I regard that as a positive.
4) Contrary to what you might expect, the ride (PASM) has actually improved a little, though bump thump over sharp irregularities such as cats eyes is worse. (The N0s were outstanding quiet in that respect and the N1s are still good)
5) Concern was expressed by one poster about the lack of rim protectors. The N1 is much better than the N0 in that respect - despite the lack of rim protectors. The actual sidewall of the tyre projects beyond the rim noticeably more on the N1 than the N0 - so you are more likely to curb the tyre rather than the rim.
Unknowns as yet. Tyre roar (I have not gone on particularly coarse motorway services yet) and wet weather behaviour (though they seem progressive on damp roads)
The only real downside is the scrubbing on full lock seems to be just as bad as ever - and will only get worse as temperatures fall later in the year.
But, overall I'm more impressed than I expected.
Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 24th June 13:45
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