Best Tyres - 996 C4

Hi. I have been warned that 2.5mm of tread is on my front/rear tyres (currently Pzeros on 18 sport design alloys). Choice is between Michelin Pilot Sports N1 or Pirelli Pzero Rossi N4 (225,40,18 front)(265,35,18 rear) I did look at the Pirelli Pzero Assim N3, but personally directional treads always seems to clear standing water better. Any difference in tyre life and performance between above tyres and can anyone recommend where I might be able to get a deal on 4 tyres fitted? Just to complicate things, any advice regarding what size rears offer best handling/efficiency - 265/35 or 285/30? Thanks, Steve

Michelin Pilot Sports N1 for me (and I suspect many others on here too!). I last managed to obtain 4 tyres fully fitted for £600 from National Tyres on Christmas Eve 2007 - it was a remarkable deal at the time and I am aware that prices have increased since. I now need a new pair of rears with the car scraping through its MOT this week but having achieved over 15000 miles on them, I am quite pleased with their longevity. The Michelins offer fabulous grip come rain or shine and are not too noisy either. Without checking, I am pretty sure that I have 285s on the rear. I don't know how competitive they are currently, but it is certainly worth trying blackcircles.com for a quote; they will deliver the tyres anywhere so your fitter of choice can put them on for you at usually a very modest price. It may also be posting whereabouts in the country you are as there may be some local knowledge on here to further assist you. Hope this helps!

I like the Pilot Sports but I think you'll struggle to get the N1 you'll probably get N3 as I did back in May Have a look at the thread I started back then http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=452957

I'd say Michelins too. Probably the most expensive N rated tyre, but worth the extra. P-Zero Rossos are probably the best value, and I found them to be very grippy and wore well, but they tramlined worse than any other tyre I tried after a few thousand miles. I would avoid Assimetricos, as they can be a bit noisy, and I'm told they wear quickly. Conti SportContact 2s are a good all-rounder on the 996, but the rears on my Turbo are wearing at an alarming rate. 265s were fitted to pre-facelift cars, and 285s on the facelift cars. 285s would be fine, and will give better rim protection, but I always wonder if there is an insurance issue with fitting them to a pre-facelift car. Probably me being over-cautious. As Rob said, let us know where you are, and someone might have some local knowledge. It's always useful to update your profile with your location.

I remember that thread. Is that still right though? I asked the Michelin man (!) about this at the club event at Blenheim and was told I should have no trouble sourcing N1s when the time came. I haven't started looking yet but really don't want to have to buy 4 tyres when the fronts are ok.

Another vote for the Michelins from me - on my third set now

So if I go the route of Michelin Pilot Sports (most likely N1 due to email thread) are N1 or N3 tyres preferable in terms of wear and performance? I have found both available online, but I am curious - is N3 a later tyre and does it even matter on a 996 porsche? My car is late 99, but wheels could be later. The car has clear front headlamps if that helps? I am in Greenwich, SE London. Thanks, Steve

last week had a pair of Michellin N3 fitted to the rear. I phoned a couple of dealers and they couldn't source the N1. N3 cost £255 each (fitted), there were cheaper option but decided to go for these. Have done many miles on them yet!

Michelin N1s still available through North East tyre and exhaust theyre also a club partner as per quarerly members Porsche File. contact is Shane Stanway 0500 223111.

My vote is for the michelins, had them on last C4 and lasted 8.5 to 9K miles (rears). Contis on my turbo are generally lasting 4.5 to 5.5k but are obviuosly cheaper to buy. I have michelins on my M5 and got 8.5k/9k out of the rears which I think is pretty good for 500bhp. Both dry and wet grip is good on both makes. Had Pirelli on a previous C4 but seem to recall fairly rapid wear. Although michelins cost more it probably works out similar per mile, plus they handle well. Kwik fit had a pay on line offer that brought prices right down but not sure if they do michelins.

I'm glad it isn't just me.

I got a pair of Mich PS rears at very good price from Elite Tyres of Rainham... not very far from you.

i had 4 new contis put on when i bought mine, why are they lasting so few miles with people?

I got 16K miles on my rear Michelin's - the fronts are only about half worn.

I have 285s on my Mk1, no insurance problems at all [ ].

I'm going to try some Yokohamas on my car next. I spoke to the insurance company, and they said that provided I used exactly the same size, speed, and load rating as an N rated tyre there would be no problem. Because 285s were fitted to the rear of facelift cars they probably wouldn't question it, but I would always suggest talking to the insurance company and getting them to note any changes from standard. I wouldn't want them to be able to find a way of wriggling out of a claim. These days they will do their best to try.