993tt - a few tyre questions
Discussion
Hi chaps - am just in the throes of getting some new front tyres for my porker (exclusively road use for the moment), so naturally searched this forum in search of collective wisdom. This leaves me with a few questions if any one can help:
- is there a site anywhere listing the Porsche approved tyres for different models?
- currently the car is on Bridgestone S02s, but I was interested to read in one thread that Conti Sport Contact N2s seem better in the wet. As I'm only replacing the fronts, would it be very dodgy to stick Conti's on the front while keeping my S02s at the arse end?
- if I do stay with the S02s, is it really an issue mixing N numbers?
Thanks
- is there a site anywhere listing the Porsche approved tyres for different models?
- currently the car is on Bridgestone S02s, but I was interested to read in one thread that Conti Sport Contact N2s seem better in the wet. As I'm only replacing the fronts, would it be very dodgy to stick Conti's on the front while keeping my S02s at the arse end?
- if I do stay with the S02s, is it really an issue mixing N numbers?
Thanks
Good thread Nel, I need a set of 4 before the next v-max.
Have Pirelli's on board at the mo, which are great in the dry though don't inspire massive confidence in the wet, have heard SO2's are better, but have not investigated the Conti option.
How have you found the SO2's?
Thanks
Martyn.
Have Pirelli's on board at the mo, which are great in the dry though don't inspire massive confidence in the wet, have heard SO2's are better, but have not investigated the Conti option.
How have you found the SO2's?
Thanks
Martyn.
From the search that I did of the forum, it was verysideways' comparative opinions that I quote below that interested me (maybe he's an agent for Conti?
)
I've been happy with the S02s, though I feel they might exaggerate the tendency to understeer in the wet, but then I've not driven the car on anything else to compare them to. It's easy when all 4 corners need reshodding at the same time, because then you stay coherent and do it in like sets, but here it's just the fronts.
On lesser cars I've always taken the attitude that having identical tyres on each axle was essential, but that front and rear axle didn't necessarily have to be equipped with the same tyre. Would I be compromising the Porsche engineering by taking the same attitude in this case?
) I've been happy with the S02s, though I feel they might exaggerate the tendency to understeer in the wet, but then I've not driven the car on anything else to compare them to. It's easy when all 4 corners need reshodding at the same time, because then you stay coherent and do it in like sets, but here it's just the fronts.
On lesser cars I've always taken the attitude that having identical tyres on each axle was essential, but that front and rear axle didn't necessarily have to be equipped with the same tyre. Would I be compromising the Porsche engineering by taking the same attitude in this case?
verysideways said:
Bob - wait!
The Michelins are very very noisy - that and the cost are their downfalls.
Here's a run down i did in a previous thread a few weeks ago...
verysideways said:
cyrus1971 said:
£613 - Pirelli P.Zero Asimetrico N3
£639 - Continental Sport N2
£660 - Bridgestone ????? N3
£738 - Michelin Pilot Sport N1
Pirelli PZero N3 - great dry, poor wet, ok wear, okay noise
Continental SportContact N2 - great dry, great wet, good wear, okay noise
Bridgestone S02A N3 - great dry, ok wet (but they get worse when they're half worn), poor wear, poor noise
Michelin Pilot Sport 2 N2 - wonderful dry, great wet, ok wear, very poor noise
From my experience on a variety of cars, IMHO
VS
Hope that helps. If you want the best wet weather, go for the Pilots, but be warned that they are the only tyre i have taken off a car early (i.e. not worn out) because they were so noisy.
Oh, and you should be able to get a set of four, fitted and inc vat for £700 in a 225/40R18 and a 285/30R18.
VS
I'm being quoted! 
As regards the axle pair issue, i don't know because i avoid it myself at all costs, but i understand that if you have to mix compounds you are best trying to do either
(a) stick to same N number all round, or
(b) remember the effects.
When i say remember the effects, think of it this way.
Stickier rubber on the front means when it lets go, it'll be the back that breaks away first. Do you like oversteer?
Stickier rubber on the back means that the front will break away first, do you like understeer?
Same rubber all round should be fairly neutral (ahem!).
IMHO
VS
As regards the axle pair issue, i don't know because i avoid it myself at all costs, but i understand that if you have to mix compounds you are best trying to do either
(a) stick to same N number all round, or
(b) remember the effects.
When i say remember the effects, think of it this way.
Stickier rubber on the front means when it lets go, it'll be the back that breaks away first. Do you like oversteer?
Stickier rubber on the back means that the front will break away first, do you like understeer?
Same rubber all round should be fairly neutral (ahem!).
IMHO
VS
verysideways said:
When i say remember the effects, think of it this way.
Stickier rubber on the front means when it lets go, it'll be the back that breaks away first. Do you like oversteer?
That was part of my cunning plan VS - if the Conti's are better in the wet then I was hoping that sticking some on the front might make the car tend more towards oversteer.
On a side note, no-one has replied to my question on where I can see what Porsche have approved for these cars - do I hava to ask an OPC for that info?
Sorry - one more question.
I got the impression from the threads that I read previously that the N numbers were updated versions of a particular tyre, I suppose with changes to compound and tread pattern, but VS's response above has put a doubt in my mind.
Is there any relation between say, a Bridgestone S02 N2 and a Conti Sport Contact N2? So for example, if I stick a different make of tyres on the front axle compared to the rear, is there any interest in putting on the same "N" number, albeit from different makes?
I got the impression from the threads that I read previously that the N numbers were updated versions of a particular tyre, I suppose with changes to compound and tread pattern, but VS's response above has put a doubt in my mind.
Is there any relation between say, a Bridgestone S02 N2 and a Conti Sport Contact N2? So for example, if I stick a different make of tyres on the front axle compared to the rear, is there any interest in putting on the same "N" number, albeit from different makes?
nel said:
Hi chaps - am just in the throes of getting some new front tyres for my porker (exclusively road use for the moment), so naturally searched this forum in search of collective wisdom. This leaves me with a few questions if any one can help:
- is there a site anywhere listing the Porsche approved tyres for different models?
- currently the car is on Bridgestone S02s, but I was interested to read in one thread that Conti Sport Contact N2s seem better in the wet. As I'm only replacing the fronts, would it be very dodgy to stick Conti's on the front while keeping my S02s at the arse end?
- if I do stay with the S02s, is it really an issue mixing N numbers?
Thanks
Porsche themselves publish a booklet with relevant manufacturers.
Totally dodgy to mix makes either bite the bullet now and get 4 new whatevers or just stick so2's on the front.
I've had 3 911 turbo's including a 993 with a gt2 engine and really not been that impressed with bridgestone.
Best ever tyres were an accidental purchase when I had a puncture 2days before le mans and couldn't get a same make replacement. Michelin Pilot Sports, I know a lot of people will take the p*ss but they transformed the car and worked well over general road use and weren't too bad on the track either.
IMHO
Thanks Fugatso - useful advice. It would be a shame to dump the part worn S02 N2s on the back, so maybe I'll just stick some new ones on the front and wait for another occasion when replacing all four is justified.
On other more mundane cars I always go for Michelin as I've found over the years that they outperform anything else that I've tried in the wet and seem to last well.
Cheers
On other more mundane cars I always go for Michelin as I've found over the years that they outperform anything else that I've tried in the wet and seem to last well.
Cheers
I've never been all that clear abou the benefit of matching N numbers front to rear on my '87 911. I've had to replace the rears, but the fronts have not yet needed it.
I replaced like with like (contisport N2's) but the fronts (dunlops) don't have an N rating. I've never experienced a particular problem that I could attribute to the mismatch, although when I do change the fronts I'll try to match them.
I wouldn't want to disagree with the enlightened, but it seems like hog to me!!!!
I did make the mistake of putting the fronts on the wrong sides once. Obviously the rotation direction for the tyres was wrong. That made a huge difference!!! There was a point at about 72mph where you'd get this really bad shake in the steering.
I won't make that mistake again.
Does anyone have any experience of both matched and unmatched N numbers?
I replaced like with like (contisport N2's) but the fronts (dunlops) don't have an N rating. I've never experienced a particular problem that I could attribute to the mismatch, although when I do change the fronts I'll try to match them.
I wouldn't want to disagree with the enlightened, but it seems like hog to me!!!!
I did make the mistake of putting the fronts on the wrong sides once. Obviously the rotation direction for the tyres was wrong. That made a huge difference!!! There was a point at about 72mph where you'd get this really bad shake in the steering.
I won't make that mistake again.
Does anyone have any experience of both matched and unmatched N numbers?
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