265 rear tyres on a facelift?

Hi, I've currently got 265 rear Yokohomas on my 2003 996. The standard spec is 285 summer, or 265 winter tyre spec. Everyone in the UK has 285 all year round. I have been very impressed with them, but they don't come in n rated 285 sizes. I am only changing the tyre because the DOT says the tyre is over 6 years old (just as of now). The alloys and wheels originally came off a garage queen, hence the life span. Thoughts? 285 something else or 265 Yoko. Might have a chat with the OPC to get official on the warranty situation, but can't see it as a problem as fuel cap and manual both say 265 is ok.

Spoke to OPC who said it should be running on 285s, so the Yoko's are out unfortunately. Prices are quite different! Prices below are *per tyre*, fitted and all inclusive. Yokohama V102 (Porsche N1) - 265/35 R18 Z (93) - £226.94 Pirelli P Zero Rosso (Porsche N4) - 285/30 R18 Z (93) - £221.85 Continental Sport Contact 2 (Porsche N2) - 285/30 R18 Z (93) - £239.84 Michelin PILOT SPORT (Porsche N3) - 285/30 R18 Y (0) - £290.10 Based on this, I'll probably buy Continental Sport. My 17"s had Michelin, which I was really impressed with, but I don't think justify the additional £50 premium per corner! Anyone had any cheaper in the SE area? I'm going to try Micheldever now. Cheers.

Someone on here recommended Martins West End tyres to me and they were the cheapest I could find. Got my last set from there and will return when the time comes. Also check Kwik fit - they sometimes have brand promotions - last time they had Conti's for me at a brilliant price, but my heart was set on Michelin. PS - I paid £640 for all 4 tyres at Martins.

depends if you can be bothered to get them fitted separately Cheapest (but unfitted) seem to be tyretraders £203.32 (plus delivery charge of £9.45 for up to four tyres)

Hi GD, you might want to check this thread out before you buy: http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=41188&highlight=tyres ~ Maxie

That was me, the number is 01276 856845 TB

Saw these Conti N2s: http://tinyurl.com/djjkha ~ Maxie

The Porscheshop are offering 295 Yokos (N rated) for your car . Might be worth getting a quote? Big Bob

Hi GD. I've just ordered a pair of Michelin Pilot Sport 285/30/18 N3 rear tyres for my '03 996 from (wait for it...) ATS at £243 each fitted, etc. They've got a 15% discount on all Michelin tyres at the moment (nation wide). I'm a bit nervous about using ATS as I don't want some Saturday boy damaging my pristine alloys, but the manager has been very patient with me (so far) and says that I'll be able to watch everything going on at close quarters! Adrian.

Nice one, thanks for all the replies. I'll probably go for the Michelins @ ATS then. Reference the Yoko 295 N rated, these are actually for the 997 4/4S. I don't really understand why Yoko chose not to produce a tyre for the facelift 996, when they have them as OEM for the 993, earlier 996 and 997.

Porsche 911 Tyres Just got back from Martin's Tyres in West End, Surrey. Michelin PS2s just fitted fronts (225/40/ZR18s @£135each, and quoted me rears 285/40/ZR 18s @£251 fitted. Feeling OK about that.

Re: Porsche 911 Tyres Ok...but be aware that rears usually run on 285/35/18 on 996 Gen 2 18" wheels, not the 40% aspect ratio as you have quoted there. ~ Maxie

I'v e got 285/30 on my 18" rears, would think that 40's are not the ones you want TB

D'oh...they are indeed 30s, not 35s. ~ Maxie

ATS have gone up to £265.63 each! I wonder if the £243 price included getting the fronts done at the same time, as they have a deal which has a bigger discount for all four. I've gone to Trade Tyres that have done it for £260 each. Slightly more expensive than Martin's, but means that I don't have to travel over to Bracknell to save £10. This means I'll have PS2s in the rear and Yoko's on the front. I was tempted to have the Yoko's replaced as well, but they've got over 6mm of tread left.