996 C4 replacement tyres

996 C4 replacement tyres

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Discussion

MrC986

Original Poster:

3,492 posts

191 months

Tuesday 7th November 2017
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My new to me 996 C4 is now sat on axle stands in the garage given the OEM split rims were in need of a full refurb (see below for the worst rim!) having been carefully neglected by the previous owner. At least 2 of the 4 have a flat spots on the rims & the rear tyres are overdue for changing with the fronts 60% worn so I may as well put a full matching set on & there's a new set of centre caps ready to go on too.



It's currently running 225/40/18 & 285/30/18 Pirelli P Zeros and won't be taken on track & I wondered what the thinking is on replacement tyres? Do I stick with the P Zeros or put Pilot Sport 2s on??

AlasdairB10

141 posts

191 months

Tuesday 7th November 2017
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PS2s are good tires on the 996. I've used them in summer, winter, heavy rain and on the track and have total confidence in them. They are an old design but work well. Had P Zeros on other cars and found them too hard. Also had Conti Sports on my 996 and found them vague. Hope that helps.

sundayjumper

529 posts

282 months

Wednesday 8th November 2017
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My only experience of P-Zeros is with a very old set that were hard to the point of being dangerous ! I don't think I've ever heard good reports of them.

I tried a set of Falken FK-452 when I first got my car, they were OK but took *ages* to bed in, they always felt soft. I suspect the weight distribution of the 911 has something to do with it, which has led me to believe in N-rated tyres.

N-rated Contis on the back now, which I've been happy with so far. Still got the Falkens on the front for now but will change them soon for Contis to match the back.

Never tried PS2s but people do seem to rave about them. Normally a good price from Costco ?


Fastlane

1,152 posts

217 months

Wednesday 8th November 2017
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I have the same rims as you and have spent a lot of time pondering over which tyres to replace changing my 8 year old P Zeros. I want to keep it orginal so it had to be 225/40/18 fronts and 265/35/18 rears. It was a toss up between the PS2 and P Zeros - in the end I went with P Zeros as both sizes are N4, whereas the PS2s were N3 & N4. I paid £600 fully fitted by a local (very good) fitter only yesterday.

Incidentally the PO had refurbed my split rims but had them fully powder coated by Lepsons - very nice job. I'm glad the rims weren't diamond cut as this is where the lacquer lifts, as in your wheels. He also fitted Ferodo DS2500 pads and there is virtually no brake dust! The fitter commented how nice they were and required very little balancing.

MrC986

Original Poster:

3,492 posts

191 months

Wednesday 8th November 2017
quotequote all
Fastlane said:
I have the same rims as you and have spent a lot of time pondering over which tyres to replace changing my 8 year old P Zeros. I want to keep it orginal so it had to be 225/40/18 fronts and 265/35/18 rears. It was a toss up between the PS2 and P Zeros - in the end I went with P Zeros as both sizes are N4, whereas the PS2s were N3 & N4. I paid £600 fully fitted by a local (very good) fitter only yesterday.

Incidentally the PO had refurbed my split rims but had them fully powder coated by Lepsons - very nice job. I'm glad the rims weren't diamond cut as this is where the lacquer lifts, as in your wheels. He also fitted Ferodo DS2500 pads and there is virtually no brake dust! The fitter commented how nice they were and required very little balancing.
The price difference between a set of P Zeros & PS2s is about £60 as I'll apply "man maths" as my refurb guy will put them on for me. Given what I'll be spending bringing the car up to the standard I'd like, I'm inclined towards the PS2s though wanted some user feedback.

mmcd87

626 posts

203 months

Wednesday 8th November 2017
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I would also consider Kumho PS91. There is some good feedback on them if you Google.

EGTE

996 posts

182 months

Wednesday 8th November 2017
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P-zeros really bad in the wet, I found.

Have PS2s on the rear and they're excellent. PS4s on the front and they're also excellent.

Ursicles

1,068 posts

242 months

Wednesday 17th January 2018
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Im needing some new tyres on my 996 c4, and when i put the reg in black circles it says 265/35/18, but elsewhere it says the tyre option should be 285's.

Which is the correct tyre size to use - can anyone point me in the right direction?

If its any help, the alloys on the car are the turbo look alloys as wondering if thats the determinant of width here.

Fastlane

1,152 posts

217 months

Wednesday 17th January 2018
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The C2 & C4 996.1 has 265 rears, the 996.2 C2 & C4 has 285 rears. Mine is a 996.1 C4 and all the tyre sites show the incorrect 285 size too.

Ursicles

1,068 posts

242 months

Wednesday 17th January 2018
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Mine is the 996.2 car and it shows 265 tyres on it.

Cant believe that 20bhp bump made the car need new tyres!

Going to see if i can get some PS2's ordered through costco as they seem to be the cheapest about.


MrC986

Original Poster:

3,492 posts

191 months

Wednesday 17th January 2018
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There are I understand 2 different widths of rear tyre for the Carrera 996 - 265 & 285. My current C4 (& my previous C2) both had 285s on & that's what I replaced them with (Michelins were the replacements for the bald Pirellis that were on the C4 when I bought it).

G-996

135 posts

113 months

Wednesday 17th January 2018
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Porsche publishes the correct tyre size - for 996 C4s the pre-facelift and post-facelift cars have different tyre sizes. I've heard on C4's it is important to fit exactly the correct size tyre to avoid stressing the centre differential.

Follow the link below and click to download the tyre spec PDF for vintage and recent classics:

https://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/c...

Also, I've driven my 996 C4 with N-spec Contis and Michelin PS2s, in my view the Contis are very good and the Michelin excellent

Edited by G-996 on Wednesday 17th January 21:03