986 Boxster S on 18's - Tyre choice?

[messcotti]

My boots are next to useless, so need a new set.

The car has 18" GT3 alloys, so two questions, really;

What are the best tyres for the car/wheel combo (I know it's not easy unless someone's had experience of them)
and
Am I better reverting to the stock 17"? If so, again, Which tyres suit best?

Thanks in advance.

Scott.

[GreigM]

Michelin PS2 are superb on a 986 on 18S.......pirellis are rubbish!

[blackburn]

Standard reply is Michelin Pilot Sports with an N rating. However, our 986s currently uses Falken FK452's (18") on the front and they've been brilliant. For average drivers like me and Mrs Blackburn, we can't tell the difference in performance (and that includes a few laps o' the 'Ring). I originally fitted the Falkens as an experiment having used them on a BMW previously, with every intention of taking them off again if they didn't perform. Several thousand miles later, we're delighted with 'em. There's a pair of rear FK452's going on tomorrow so it'll be interesting to see what they're like - the Pilot Sports on the back at the moment are down to an average of 3mm across the tyres and they've started sliding about about, though the drop in temperature recently may have a bearing on this.

[messcotti]

I've read all about the Michelin Pilot 2, sounds like the stock answer and therefore a sensible choice.

I'm sure I had Falkens on my MR2R...this might sound daft, but I'm almost put off by the price being so cheap!

Now, I'm not a serious or very tallanted driver, but I know the importance of good rubber in the corners, and if you're saying that they handled well around the 'ring, then that sounds good to me...

Any other opinions on the Falkens?

[Trev450]

Nothing wrong with Falkens as a budget tyre, but do you really want something that is less then optimal on your pork?

MPS 2's as already said are about as good as you'll get.

[spyderman8]

I'm on my second set of Pirelli PZero Rossos: find they wear pretty well considering the number of track days I've been doing; not bad in the wet either. Got the who set from QwikFit for £640 IIRC - although only the rears are 'N'-rated.

[BRMMA]

I've got the same wheels on mine and have had CSC 2's, 3's and Goodyear Eagle F1 aesymetrics.

I'd say the goodyears are the best i've had in the wet and the CSC3's the best in the dry, but all have been very good.

[messcotti]

OK, well Falkens are out the window I think...living in Aberdeen it's pretty important to get decent wet weather tyres! :-o

[alfa phil]

MPS N rated on mine too ,need new ones on the back again they lasted around 9k

[FlybyWyre]

I have Goodyear Eagle F1s on 18" Carreras which are better than the OE Contis I got a couple of times.
I use Falken 452s on my Celica but I am hesitent on putting Falkens on the Boxster.
I guess its to do with less power (190) traction control, stability control on the Celica which makes everything easy.
Goodyear F1s are good (No N rating but excellent)
Michelins are always better but cost can be an issue,

[andymc]

stuck mine on 19 carrera s alloys and the OPC engineer moaned for fun

[markoc]

Another vote for P Zero Rosso's on mine. Running the 18 inch carerra rim option. Have found them to be very good, if on the pricey side.