A question on Boxster 986 tyres

[Kyodo]

I've had a set of Michelin PS2 tyres (18") on my 2001 S for a number of years now. Yesterday, I ordered a set of Michelin PS4 tyres in the correct sizes and speed rating (I think!) from Black Circles. Today, I just received an email stating:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"The tyres you have selected may not be suitable for your car as these are not Porsche approved units.
All Porsche approved tyres are designated by an “N” rating. This denotes that Porsche has approved the tyres for use on their vehicles and these tyres are constructed specifically to suit the power, suspension and handling characteristics.
We have come across instances where Porsche may not honour the warranty on vehicles fitted with non-approved tyres and as such we always recommend the use of the specific fitment. We have also had instances where customers have identified poorer performance as the results of switching away from “N” rated tyres."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now I know my previous were 'N' rated but does this really matter? My car is 18 years old so the warranty isn't an issue and I'd have thought a modern high-end Michelin PS4 would be more than sufficient for typical road use, bearing in mind the advances in tyre technology over the last 20 years.

Should I be concerned or just fit and forget?
Thanks, M.

[Kyodo]

Thanks. I'm pretty sure I'm correct with the rating. The sizes are certainly right.

[Scrump]

Don’t worry. Black circles sent the same email to me when I switched from PS2 to PS4 on my 996.
I emailed them back to say I didn’t have a Porsche warranty and so was happy to go ahead.
I don’t think PS4 are available with N rating, but they are great tyres and suit these cars well.

[roboxm3]

I’m sure I read on the 911UK forum that Costco actually refused to fit non-N rated tyres to one members car!
I’ve had PS4s on my 986 for about 10k now and I’m not dead

[NNH]

In the unlikely event that you have an accident in Germany on non-manufacturer-approved tyres, things can get a bit tiresome (pardon the pun). Otherwise, don't worry about it.

[AJB88]

If you have warranty with Porsche UK then get N tyres, if you don't then don't. N tyres are usually no more expensive though.

Costco gave me the option of both for same price so I got N.

[NNH]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Believe it. Any "modification" to a car in Germany requires documentation and approval, including deviations from the manufacturer's list of approved tyres. Modified cars need to have paperwork to demonstrate this approval. German police don't usually make a fuss over foreign-registered cars, but they have the power to do so if they choose. Personally I wouldn't let it bother me, and I've driven a 987across Germany on non-N winter tyres before, but it remains something to be aware of.

[Kyodo]

Interesting comments, thanks. I didn't notice a choice for my car for the N tyres so I chose what I'd consider to be the best choice available, judging by comments made by owners of much quicker cars (Ferrari, McLaren etc). Price wasn't a factor as the PS4 tyre is about the most expensive option on Black Circles for my early Boxster S as it happens.

We do travel in Europe but I won't let it bother me. If at some point someone makes a fuss over it in Germany, so be it. Life's too short to worry! I'd consider these new Michelins, several generations on from the original 2001 Boxster (N) spec to be a significantly better tyre anyway.

Cheers, M.

Edited by Kyodo on Sunday 24th November 10:13

[Magnum 475]

You’ll probably find these a step back from the PS2 though.

The Mich PS4 comes in two varieties- the ‘PS4’ and the ‘PS4S’. The PS4 is not a top spec tyre for handling, it replaced the PS3, which was truly awful. The PS4S is a different tyre entirely, and replaces the old Pilot Supersport.

I run the PS4 on my E class diesel, but I’ve stuck with PS2 on my 987 as it’s far more suited to the car and I can’t get the PS4S in the correct sizes for the 987.

[Kyodo]

Magnum 475 said:

You’ll probably find these a step back from the PS2 though.

Very useful info, much appreciated. I'm now doing a bit of homework to find out if I've made a mistake or not. On the PS2 my car's handling is sublime, balanced, stable, predictable with plenty of grip. I don't want to take even the slightest step backwards, although a brand new slightly lesser tyre will probably still be grippier than my old slightly better ones!

When I checked Black Circles it didn't (in an obvious way) show me the PS2 option but I've just had another look and took a different route through the selection process, now I see the N rated PS2. They do cost slightly more than the PS4 but that's not an issue.

I found this link that certainly suggests from owners that the PS2 is the way to go, slightly out-performing the PS4. I think I'll swap my order over tomorrow.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyres_For/Porsche/986...

Thanks all for your help and input. Hopefully this thread may be helpful to other Boxster owners

[CarreraAl]

Magnum 475 said:

You’ll probably find these a step back from the PS2 though.

The Mich PS4 comes in two varieties- the ‘PS4’ and the ‘PS4S’. The PS4 is not a top spec tyre for handling, it replaced the PS3, which was truly awful. The PS4S is a different tyre entirely, and replaces the old Pilot Supersport.

I run the PS4 on my E class diesel, but I’ve stuck with PS2 on my 987 as it’s far more suited to the car and I can’t get the PS4S in the correct sizes for the 987.

I would respectively disagree having done 20,000 miles in my 986S fitted with PS4 tyres. I have found that they offer more grip in the dry and wet, and have much more gradual break away on the limit. Also they cope with cold temperatures much better so can delay the change to squidgy winter tyres to later in the year.

A couple of years ago someone on PH contacted Michelin about whether to use N spec PS2 or non N PS4 on their 996, and Michelin recommended non N PS4, and I'm sure Michelin know more about their tyres than anyone else. Also Center Gravity recommended them when I asked prior to fitting.

When I got my PS4 tyres they were cheaper than PS2.

[Kyodo]

This is a harder choice than I was expecting! My mind has been made up after not only taking all comments on board but also due to the fact that my set of PS4s turned up before my alarm even went off this morning. So I've got them, I'm going to give them a go. If I find any negatives whatsoever for the 986 I'll come back and add a comment, although I doubt I'll need to.



I like tyre stacks, I can pretend I'm at the F1

[Low Pro]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

And a tidy garage...