New Tyres for my 993 C4

[Davemiddleton]

I need new rear tyres and ideally want either Bridgestone S0 2's Or Pirelli P Zero Rosso.
I have found a site which has both in 255 x40 x17.
However the pirelli is an "R17", do I not need ZR??
The S0 2 is an N3 designation. What is that and is it suitable for a 911? HELP!!!

[clubsport]

phone Micheldever tyres, they know the right spec for the cars,,i have S02 on my 993 & they clearly state N1 on the side.

[MauriceC2S]

N ratings are for tyres tested and approved by Porsche. A list is published in Christophorus every year detailing the specific N ratings approved for each tyre on all CURRENT cars in all fitments (phew!). That is the reason tyre dealers often carry more than one N rating in the same size, ie to cater for different model approvals.

A reference to back editions is available online (for the 993/986/996 anyway) at
http://p-car.com/technical/tires.htm
scroll to bottom for 1998....

Cheers, Maurice

[DaveMiddleton]

Thanks for info. In the case of the N approval, does that mean if I prefer the SO 2's , BUT they do not have an N rating, should I leave them alone?

[Melv]

DaveMiddleton said:

Thanks for info. In the case of the N approval, does that mean if I prefer the SO 2's , BUT they do not have an N rating, should I leave them alone?

Yes!

Melv

[ninemeister]

No!

Colin

[Melv]

ninemeister said:

No! Colin

Again -yes!

Melv

[Harris_I]

I'm not sure the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups have an N-rating but I see plenty of those on 911s. Is this right?

[roygarth]

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=97250&highlight=pilot+sport+cups

This is more about 964 but helpful for 993 as well

[tony.t]

DaveMiddleton said:

Thanks for info. In the case of the N approval, does that mean if I prefer the SO 2's , BUT they do not have an N rating, should I leave them alone?

SO2`s are my preferred choice (964) for the road (and track in the rain) and I personaly wouldn`t use an inferior tyre just because its N rated.

[ninemeister]

Ever heard of the saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it?"
My argument is that the S02s were Porsche approved once in their lifespan, they are still nigh on unbeatable in the wet and are a damn fine allrounder, only suffering when punished hard on a hot dry day on the track. IMHO if you like them Dave just fit them and enjoy, they are E and ZR (equivalent) rated and comply with all insurance and construction/use requirements for any vehicle, so what's the problem?

[DaveMiddleton]

Thanks for all the replies, folks. FYI, earlier today I ordered 2 x rear and 2 x front SO2's from Micheldever tyres. These have an N3 rating.
One other interesting oint is that I was not quite ready to replace the fronts as they still have reasonable wear.
However, they are Continentals and the guy at Micheldever informed me that Porsche do not approve different makes on different axles.
What is your opinion, can I store the new front S0 2's
for a while before putting them on, and meantime run 2 different makes???

[clubsport]

NO!!!! Don't even think about it....a single front wing is £750 before paint if you have a knock.Keep eveything on your side....keep same tyres on both axles.

[tony.t]

You could experiment with different tyres on each axel (personaly I wouldn`t) but you`ll probably find the cars handling to be poor - best to stick to one model of tyre on Porsches.

[Melv]

tony.t said:

SO2`s are my preferred choice (964) for the road (and track in the rain)

Me too -great tyre! And micheldever are right -don't mix!!

Melv
PS Used road legal tyres wanted for good cause....MOT

[ninemeister]

Melv said:

PS Used road legal tyres wanted for good cause....MOT

Cheapskate!!!!

Chuck the Conti's Dave and enjoy the S02's, the fronts will last twice as long as the rears anyway so you will get a lot of life out of the new fronts, but may compromise your own life by leaving them in the garage.

[GuyR]

The 'N' rating thing is a bit of a gimmick in my opinion.

For example, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup and Pirelli Rosso Corsas and all other 'Track' tyres are not N rated, so Porsche won't fit them, despite the fact they are used on Porsches for club championships etc

[DaveMiddleton]

Again, thanks guys. Will go the "whole hog" and install fronts as well (they arrived today).
Ninemeister: Am only being a cheapskate afetr paying you for clutch,flywheel and remap a couple of weeks ago.
I have had to stay in at nights and save up!!!