Putting Porsche fit pilot sport 2's on to a E39 530i - bad?

[da_murphster]

Costco is doing 20% off its Michelin range if you buy 4.

I currently really need some new fronts but have new Kuhmo KU31's on the rear.

Was going to buy a full set of PS2/3 and garage the rears until I need them but the only ones they have in my size are N3 porsche fitment.

255 40 R 17 94 ZR(Y) N3

Is it a bad idea to fit the N3 PS2's to my E39?

Weight of E39 - approx 1600kg, boxster approx 1400kg.

Pity to miss the deal as it works out really good for PS2/3's.

Opinions?

[Fleckers]

if you fit none standard tyres or tyres fit only for another car and you have an accident, regardless of fault your know what your insurance company are going to dont you

[da_murphster]

As an aside if I cannot get these from Costco then I will prolly just get KU31's for the front as well.

My driving is 100m a day, half m'way, half twisty B-roads - want to feel safe on the wet cold b-roads!

No track days.

[HellDiver]

N rating means they meet a certain dry and wet weather grip level and track performance. There's nothing else different, it's not like they'll not fit on a BMW rim.

[yinujim]

Its says the tyres are 94 which is right for an E39.

[da_murphster]

yinujim said:

Its says the tyres are 94 which is right for an E39.

Err...what does the 94 actually mean?

That cannot be right with the insurance, only if the Tyres were found to be at fault?

I know from the elise that certain Tyres were special for certain car weights, is that not so for the n3 fit?

[Chapppers]

Fleckers said:

if you fit none standard tyres or tyres fit only for another car and you have an accident, regardless of fault your know what your insurance company are going to dont you

Yeah that's definitely true, what with them wriggling out of every claim in the UK due to 99% of people fitting the cheapest tyres kwik fit will give them. Also... E39 still on original factory spec tyres? Ha.

Edited by Chapppers on Saturday 6th November 16:20

[TooLateForAName]

You'll be fine. My experience is that sometimes the N rated tyres look different to non-N. I remember an early pilot sport N that had a tread pattern more like the old (non-directional) pilot.

All the N rating does is say that Porsche are happy with the tyre on their car. As long as the load rating (presumably the 94) and speed rating are OK then go ahead.

[rallycross]

Fleckers said:

if you fit none standard tyres or tyres fit only for another car and you have an accident, regardless of fault your know what your insurance company are going to dont you

that is rubbish (ok not including the tyre 'stretching morons of course).

[sleep envy]

TooLateForAName said:

You'll be fine. My experience is that sometimes the N rated tyres look different to non-N. I remember an early pilot sport N that had a tread pattern more like the old (non-directional) pilot.

All the N rating does is say that Porsche are happy with the tyre on their car. As long as the load rating (presumably the 94) and speed rating are OK then go ahead.

it's a bit more than porsche ticking a box

the compounds will be slightly different and the sidewall construction will be different because of the unusual weight distribution on the car

[da_murphster]

sleep envy said:

it's a bit more than porsche ticking a box

the compounds will be slightly different and the sidewall construction will be different because of the unusual weight distribution on the car

Geekey google swatting mode...

For the E39 auto (2003 brochure)
530i
1605 kg
weight distribution - 50.9/49.1
So thats 788.055kg at the rear


Randomly picked Boxster....
2004 Porsche Boxster S
1420 kg
weight distribution - 50/50
So that's 710kg at the rear

So 80kg odd difference - doesnt sound too mad to use the N3's to me?

Agree?

Edit:

http://www.boosttown.com/wheels_tyres/tyre_load_in...

94 is the weight rating so 94 = 670kg per wheel

Edited by da_murphster on Saturday 6th November 23:33

[sleep envy]

Wasn't suggesting either way about buying, just saying that there's a little more science behind car specific tyres than mentioned above

[Debaser]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. They'll be way better than the chinese crap most people seem happy to fit now.

[Pastie Bloater]

Fleckers said:

if you fit none standard tyres or tyres fit only for another car and you have an accident, regardless of fault your know what your insurance company are going to dont you

Doesn't ring true considering I've just had a front wheel and tyre replaced on an insurance claim at the approved garage, they fitted a Dunlop SP 9090 Porsche N1 instead of the 'correct' Dunlop SP 9000, which is fitted on the other side. Tread and other specs are identical so it's fine with me.

Also should bear in mind I've got Bridgestone RE050 on the rear instead of the 'correct' Dunlop SP sport max TT.

This was a 50/50 claim.

I would take it that tyre brand/model is irrelevant so long as they are legal in terms of tread depth, no sidewall damage, no ridiculous stretch etc. It's not like the police are going to do you for running 'Porsche tyres' either.

Edited by Pastie Bloater on Sunday 7th November 06:06

[Debaser]

I once asked my insurance company if I'd be insured if I fitted non 'N' compound Porsche spec tyres to my Porsche. They said no.

[Cost Captain]

On a BMW you need to fit the same, or greater, speed rating and load index. The N fitment tyre will be correct, just that as someone said earlier it complies to porsche's requirements. In theory, it is a superior tyre to a non N fitment tyre.

[Hawmaws]

I've always used Porsche rated PS2s on my 530. Mainly because they seem easier to source.

No problems at all..and I can't imagine that using some of the best tyres available can be more of an insurance risk than a set of Ditchfinders.

[aMb]

There's a document produced from Michellin which says whether car specific tyres can be fitted to other cars, for Porsche tyres they are of the opinion they should't be. Link below:

http://www.stsprofitlink.co.uk/_filestore/Oct%2005...

[Hawmaws]

aMb said:

There's a document produced from Michellin which says whether car specific tyres can be fitted to other cars, for Porsche tyres they are of the opinion they should't be. Link below:

http://www.stsprofitlink.co.uk/_filestore/Oct%2005...

Yup, but they are referring to customer satisfaction, mainly. I've never had any concerns at all with N rated tyres on a BMW.

[Oilchange]

I fail to see how an insurance company could justify not paying out on a claim if the tyre was not to blame, fitted correctly, right size pressure speed rating etc. I would pursue them for it.