Summer Tires

[jfoxny]

The weather is warming up and I'm looking to get a new set of summer tires for my 2005 987. I'm looking at a few sets of tires on TireRack.com and want to see what you guys think.

- Pilot Sport PS2 - $1278 - $70 (mail in rebate) = $1208

- Bridgestone Potenza R-11 - $1,050

- ContiSportContact 3 (3 not 2) - $988

- Goodyear Eagle F1 - $856 - $80 (mail in rebate) = $776

- Sumitomo HTR Z III (3 not 2)- $542

I do drive "aggressively" but I do not track my car. Based on my driving style, the reviews on TireRack from Porsche drivers, and the feedback in various forums, I'm leaning towards the cheaper Sumitomos. But, I'm just not sure based on the price difference and want to see what you guys think.

Thanks in advance,

Jason

Edited April 2, 2010 by jfoxny

[jfoxny]

Went with the Goodyear Eagle F1s. We'll see...

Jason

[ghiaguy0]

I'm on my third set of Michelin Pilot Sports on 3 cars. I have had two Boxsters and used them each time. I also have them on the wife's car. Michelin really are worth the money.

[Jay H]

I am running the N spec Continental ContiSport Contact 3's on my '08. I use my car as a daily driver and I couldn't be happier with the Continentals. They handle great, are quiet and do very well in heavy rain. A great tire. I've used cheap, non "N" spec tires on my Porsche and keep coming back to N spec and Michelins. You get what you pay for.

[stef]

I just got back from Costco with a new pair of Michelin N1 Pilot Sport 2's on the back of my car. Road hazard, N2 filled, free flat fixing, and free balancing. Total cost: $550 for two rears. Don't underestimate the value of having free balancing!

My thoughts are if you can get a full set of ZR, Porsche N-rated tires for under $600, go for it! Even if they only last 15,000 miles, you're still winning.

[jfoxny]

I just got back from Costco with a new pair of Michelin N1 Pilot Sport 2's on the back of my car. Road hazard, N2 filled, free flat fixing, and free balancing. Total cost: $550 for two rears. Don't underestimate the value of having free balancing! My thoughts are if you can get a full set of ZR, Porsche N-rated tires for under $600, go for it! Even if they only last 15,000 miles, you're still winning.

Wow, great deal as the PS2s are $1200 at TireRack (for 4) plus shipping and the dealer charges $160 to mount an balance the set of tires. Too bad I don't have a Costco near me. :-( I'll be putting the F1s on soon. We'll see how it goes! Thanks for the info.

Jason

[jfoxny]

I am running the N spec Continental ContiSport Contact 3's on my '08. I use my car as a daily driver and I couldn't be happier with the Continentals. They handle great, are quiet and do very well in heavy rain. A great tire. I've used cheap, non "N" spec tires on my Porsche and keep coming back to N spec and Michelins. You get what you pay for.

I finally decided to go mid-range and get the F1s based on favorable reviews comparing them to the PS2s. The F1s are not N-spec, but, neither are more expensive tires (even more $ than the PS2s) like ones from Perelli. My understanding of N-spec tires is that it means nothing more than the manufacturer submitted the tires to Porsche for testing and that Porsche "approved" them (the number as in N1,N2,..., NN just indicates the current iteration of the tire). It would be interesting to know which tires have been submitted to Porsche but not approved. My guess is that few manufacturer's submit tires to Porsche for review. Anyone have that dirt?

Jason

[dphatch]

I just got back from Costco with a new pair of Michelin N1 Pilot Sport 2's on the back of my car. Road hazard, N2 filled, free flat fixing, and free balancing. Total cost: $550 for two rears. Don't underestimate the value of having free balancing!

My thoughts are if you can get a full set of ZR, Porsche N-rated tires for under $600, go for it! Even if they only last 15,000 miles, you're still winning.

's

What size are you talking about ? Costco just quoted me $616 each for 305 / 19's, so I'm looking at $ 1232 + whatever for mounting, balance, etc... Unless yours were much smaller or had been kicking around their store for awhile I'm havin' a hard time with your $ 550 total installed cost for 2 tires.

[stef]

D'oh. They are smaller. 235/50 ZR17 N1. It was about $240 per tire, + ~$15 for mounting/balance/warranty/etc, +tax.

They quoted you over $600 each? :o