Porsche 981 Boxtser / Cayman 20" tyre choices - P Zero N1s
Discussion
Folks,
I recently purchased some new Pirelli P Zero N1 tyres. I thought that I would share my experiences of them with you all. First some background. Many of you will already know this, so skip to my impression of the new tyres if you already do.
I have a 981 Cayman S with 20" Carrera wheels. The car requires 235/35ZR20 88Y up front and 265/35ZR20 95Y at the back. If you want to avoid problems selling your car back into the Porsche network you need to fit Porsche certified tyres which come marked with an N0 or N1 label. N0 just means that this was the first generation of that particular brand and model tyre to be certified by Porsche, with second generation tyre updates being labeled N1 and so on.
Currently I am aware of just three N-rated choices for these 20 inch wheels:
Pirelli P Zero N0
Goodyear Eagle Assy Eagle N0
Pirelli P Zero N1
P Zero N0 were fitted to my car. They were okay, but there was quite a lot of tyre rumble using them. These also suffered from premature tyre cracking which came up under an MOT advisory which prompted me to change them despite having some life left in them.
My research indicated the the newer Eagle's are an improvement to the P Zero N0. However Pirelli updated their P Zeros about 6 months ago. The new P Zero has a different compound that supposedly corrects the early cracking problem. Also it is a completely different tread design to the previous generation P Zero.
So I chose the P Zero N1s. I've only done about 400 miles so far: first impressions are positive. There is a noticeable reduction in tyre noise... I say noticable, but qualitatively about 3%. This might not sound like much, but I am talking marginal, but noticeable improvements. Also the ride quality seems slightly more comfortable. Wet road steering feel and traction is excellent. Dry road maybe there is a slight compromise in turn in... maybe slightly more understeer compared the previous generation P Zero. But it is hard to tell in only 400 miles and the ambient temperatures have been below the 7 degrees lower limit that these tyres were designed for.
On balance for a road biased performance tyre I am pleased that I switched from the P Zero N0 to the P Zero N1. I hope this is useful to you if you are in the market for new tyres.
I recently purchased some new Pirelli P Zero N1 tyres. I thought that I would share my experiences of them with you all. First some background. Many of you will already know this, so skip to my impression of the new tyres if you already do.
I have a 981 Cayman S with 20" Carrera wheels. The car requires 235/35ZR20 88Y up front and 265/35ZR20 95Y at the back. If you want to avoid problems selling your car back into the Porsche network you need to fit Porsche certified tyres which come marked with an N0 or N1 label. N0 just means that this was the first generation of that particular brand and model tyre to be certified by Porsche, with second generation tyre updates being labeled N1 and so on.
Currently I am aware of just three N-rated choices for these 20 inch wheels:
Pirelli P Zero N0
Goodyear Eagle Assy Eagle N0
Pirelli P Zero N1
P Zero N0 were fitted to my car. They were okay, but there was quite a lot of tyre rumble using them. These also suffered from premature tyre cracking which came up under an MOT advisory which prompted me to change them despite having some life left in them.
My research indicated the the newer Eagle's are an improvement to the P Zero N0. However Pirelli updated their P Zeros about 6 months ago. The new P Zero has a different compound that supposedly corrects the early cracking problem. Also it is a completely different tread design to the previous generation P Zero.
So I chose the P Zero N1s. I've only done about 400 miles so far: first impressions are positive. There is a noticeable reduction in tyre noise... I say noticable, but qualitatively about 3%. This might not sound like much, but I am talking marginal, but noticeable improvements. Also the ride quality seems slightly more comfortable. Wet road steering feel and traction is excellent. Dry road maybe there is a slight compromise in turn in... maybe slightly more understeer compared the previous generation P Zero. But it is hard to tell in only 400 miles and the ambient temperatures have been below the 7 degrees lower limit that these tyres were designed for.
On balance for a road biased performance tyre I am pleased that I switched from the P Zero N0 to the P Zero N1. I hope this is useful to you if you are in the market for new tyres.
Regarding Michelin,
Although they make current generation Pilot Sport in the correct size, I think - from memory, so maybe not entirely accurate - the load rating of the rear tyres is different. Maybe not a huge issue, but not as spec. Also not N-rated? But if your friend has a GTS with those as factory fit, maybe you can correct me on that?
I did email the Michelin rep regrading the new PS4. They are due out in the correct size this quarter, but initially they would be generic updated P Zeros without the N rating. As I am thinking about selling my Cayman fairly soon I wanted fresh tyres with N spec that could be sold into the Porsche network without creating issues.
My feeling regarding the comment about less ultimate grip, but more progressive (and quieter and more comfortable) seems about right. For a road tyre I think the new trade off is worthwhile.
Although they make current generation Pilot Sport in the correct size, I think - from memory, so maybe not entirely accurate - the load rating of the rear tyres is different. Maybe not a huge issue, but not as spec. Also not N-rated? But if your friend has a GTS with those as factory fit, maybe you can correct me on that?
I did email the Michelin rep regrading the new PS4. They are due out in the correct size this quarter, but initially they would be generic updated P Zeros without the N rating. As I am thinking about selling my Cayman fairly soon I wanted fresh tyres with N spec that could be sold into the Porsche network without creating issues.
My feeling regarding the comment about less ultimate grip, but more progressive (and quieter and more comfortable) seems about right. For a road tyre I think the new trade off is worthwhile.
beanoir said:
No mention of Michelin which is interesting, widely considered the best choice. I'm sure the MPSS comes in the right size with N marking, my friends GTS had them from the factory...
I though that the GTS had the Goodyear Eagles from the factory. I think if your friend has MPSS this was something he fitted himself, or a previous owner could have fitted.DJMC said:
Me:
Do you have the load index for each yet? E.g. 99Y etc?
Agent - Vassilena
Yes we do.
235/35 20 92 (Y)
265/35 20 99 (Y)
End.
Note that the load index is different from the OE spec 88Y & 95Y for 981 and 718, plus 4 in each case.
I find this odd, but I guess if the tyres have been approved by Porsche there must be a reason?
I think that you will find that the higher load rating tyres would be for Porsche approved for SUV type Porsches. I would be less hung up about fitting non-N rated tyres to my car and more hung up about fitting tyres with the incorrect load rating, The load rating is something you should get right. Don't just assume that if the load rating is higher than that specified then it will be more than good enough. I don't think it works out like that. Instead it is likely that the sidewall will be too stiff and the tyre most likely significantly heavier than the lower load rating tyres specified for your car.Do you have the load index for each yet? E.g. 99Y etc?
Agent - Vassilena
Yes we do.
235/35 20 92 (Y)
265/35 20 99 (Y)
End.
Note that the load index is different from the OE spec 88Y & 95Y for 981 and 718, plus 4 in each case.
I find this odd, but I guess if the tyres have been approved by Porsche there must be a reason?
I understand that these Pilot Sport 4 are desirable tyres, but the point of my original post was that the Pirelli P Zero seem significantly improved for road use. If you want tyres primarily for track use then that is beyond my experience and I have no idea.
DJMC said:
The fronts, at 92Y satisfy "Porsche Cayman type 981 3.8 385hp GT4 front measurement 235/35 R20 92V."
Dare I say it when a lot of readers seem happy to ignore me, but I think Michelin reps that you have spoken to do not really know what they are talking about with regard to the correct fit for these Porsches. Specific criticism in response to the assertion above:My research indicates that the correct tyres for the 981 GT4 are:
Front 245/35 ZR 20 91Y
Rear 295/30 ZR 20 101Y
Quite which Michelin are recommending 235mm width tyres for the front of a GT4 seems bizarre. There is also a much smaller discrepancy as regards the load rating. At least that is, is your quotation is accurately transcribed.
hixster said:
2... https://www.easywheels.co.uk/pirelli-p-zero-n2-tyr...
This subject is a minefield!
I thought my car was N1, phoned OPC, they said stick with the same as you have on the car already if only replacing 2 tyres - so that would be Pirelli PZero N0... now I find out there and N2...
Easywheels are quoting the wrong tyre: these might be N2, but they are a different specification than the tyres you need. Load rating is wrong. (Can't people read specifications?!)This subject is a minefield!
I thought my car was N1, phoned OPC, they said stick with the same as you have on the car already if only replacing 2 tyres - so that would be Pirelli PZero N0... now I find out there and N2...
I no longer have the 981 Porsche Cayman S, but my experience with the Pirelli N1's was very positive. It is much improved on the N0. Plus I had no problems selling the car while maintaining warranty. Unlike people using the currently available Michelin's (notice how these often get sold second hand). However the news that an official Porsche fitment from Michelin is available in 3Q/4Q 2017 is great news for all.
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