Tyre choice (brand, not whether they are a good idea!)

Last Time I got tyres for my 996 I only (!) needed the rears..up front were Bridgestones so I matched those. This time I'm much luckier in the sense that I need all four..so I can choose any brand. I've been perfectly happy with the Bridgestones apart from the fact that they have lasted around 7,000 miles. Lewis Hamilton gets more than that, and I'm a much better driver than he is. Am I expecting too much? Unlike Mr Hamilton I don't bother with track days, so grip on the limit isn't the most important criterion - and, unlike Mr Hamilton, I will be expected to contribute lots in VAT, so getting better wear is. Any recommendations? Thanks!

I have never fitted Bridgestones, so I can't comment on those. I have had Pirelli P-Zeros, Continentals and Michelin PS2s. Out of the three I've had, in terms of wear, I would rate them: 1. Michelin 2. Pirelli 3. Continenal In terms of grip, I thought the Pirellis and Michelins were similar. The Continentals were not quite as good. Cheers, Neil.

Michelin Pilot Sport 2's all the way. They may cost a tad more, but worth it. Just replaced my fronts after 24,000. The rears lasted 16,000 and grip / noise levels all excellent.

My recommendation, as I said on the phone... is Michelin Sports. N Rated. I had Pirelli P Zeros on before and they felt very hard and twitchy to me. The Michelin Sports have made such a difference. I think I've done more than 7,000 miles on them too. I paid just over £700 for the four. National Tyres. They gave me a deal where they knocked 25% off if I bought four at the same time. I'd be interested to know how much others have paid for a full set of tyres. BTW - My local OPC offered to put the same tyres on my car for £1400 +VAT. When I pointed out that that seemed excessive I was told they would knock 10% off for being in the PCGB.

For Michelin Pilot Sport 2's, N3 rating, prices include VAT, balance, valve etc.. Paid £333.38 for the rears last summer. (at Elite in Rainham) Paid £322.12 on Friday for 2 new fronts. (at Autofit in Ipswich) HTH.

New this year is Michelin Pilot Super Sport, a real no-brainer: http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/news/new-michelin-pilot-super-sport-pss-1264.php There was also a short review in last months Porsche World.

But there's a problem... they're not being made in sizes to suit the 996 :-( So the no-brainer is to get some PS2's while they're still available.

Your'e in the same boat as me then i guess with 17" wheels and theres only a choice of 5 tyres that are N rated.

actually they are 18inch..

I do, but as far as I can see the new super sports don't suit 18" 996's either.

My 996 Cab, came originally with Continental ... just due to replace, and have spent some time on the interweb comparing prices etc. Best Deal turned out to be at my servicing Independent. .... Also having the wheels refurbished at same time so all will look great. Costs: Conti Rears £268, Fronts £232 includes fitting etc and road testing. BTW the alloy refurbs £45.00 ea. Image

There does seem to be a lot of 'haggle space' with tyres; my rears needed replacing and I was looking around for a few weeks for competetive pricing. In the end, 2 weeks ago my indy charged me £218 each for Conti N2 SC2 285/35/Z18's including balancing, fitting, valves, VAT etc. Added another £200 for a full geo alignment and the car is riding so much better! The Conti's may be a compromise but I couldn't afford all 4 and the fronts are still good!

I just had a quick look on a few websites, and i cant find any ps2's on any of them. Have they stopped making them with the arrival of the ps3's?

I think they are getting difficult to find, but it looks like ... Elite in Rainham have them Also Camskill appear to have 18" fronts, but not rears. HTH

Have you tried your local OPC - it appears that some of them are getting a lot more negotiable with pricing ? Although more expensive than the prices you're looking at & definitely not targetted at the low wear rate end of the market, I managed to get ~30% discount on a set of 18 inch Pirelli P Zero Corsas from 1 of my local OPCs ! They stated that they were willing to price match against other local suppliers & then accepted the challenge with good grace when I told them my alternative quotes. For anyone interested, the tyres have phenomal grip in the dry & wet. Grip not so good in the very cold period just before X-Mas & they are probably noisier than the "standard" Pirelli P Zeros I had previously. On the last set I got ~9,000 miles including a couple of track days @ Curborough in the Midlands that definitely were not kind to the tyres. The current set appear to be lasting in a similar way. My previous Pirelli P Zero Rossos wouldn't die - grip was occasionally borderline in the wet, but the rears were still legal after 15,000 miles on the back & 4 track days. I sometimes thought they must have been a "bad batch" as so many other people talked about much lower mileages & better grip. Conclusion : Check out your local OPC& give them a challenge ! PS They also appear to have priority when tyres are in scarce supply Paul 2004 C2 40th Anniversary

Eduardo, I'm surprised at your comments on low mileage from Bridgestones? I am getting close to needing to replace my rears (S02's, 3mm remaining) having just covered 15,000+ mls on them. The original rears also covered same mileage. Fronts are slightly better. The car is used everyday so gets a real variety of use - local and motorway. I find the grip excellent on them also - particularly in the wet. Ashley

That is really impressive on a Turbo S.

225/40/18 and 265/35/18 are very much suited to the 996, I've got 285 on the rears at the moment but if I have to I'll change to 265.

Ive got p zero rossos on the back of mine. They where new on when i bought the car last august and ive done around 5000 miles and they're about half worn at 5 mil. I change my tyres at 3 so im guessing ill get around 10000 out of them.

err.. but from that list, neither 225/40/18 nor 265/35/18's are going to be available with the Pilot Super Sports! So, all of us on 17" and 18" wheels will be left to non-Michelin choices once the PS2 stock runs out... P.S. (to Alex). Have taken my 996 to Norway twice - great roads you have there inland ;-). In fact my thumbnail pic was taken on the quayside in Arendal...

Glad you like the roads. Hoping to be back on them again soon as the snow melts... ;-) Sorry, there was another list in Porsche World with those sizes named, I hope it was correct.

I read the above and was a little concerned as I was due to replace the S02a's on the turbo with PS2's ,so I phoned Michellin today the PS2 N3 will be produced for the next 3 years at least Michellin and Porsche are currently in discussion over tyres They will be deciding in the next two months whether to offer the super sport in 18 and even 17 inch sizes, rather than the 19 they currently do,I would guess that will then affect what they supply in PS2 and PS3 sizes.When I had previously spoken to bridgestone about tyre supply i was informed that there was a gentlemans agreement between the car manufacturer and the tyre maker to supply the for 10 years after the last model with that tyre was produced so for my Turbo that would be 2015

Does anyone know where you can buy Sumitomos in the UK ??? Total 911 wrote an article in which they said they were fantastic but I cant find anywhere that sells them.

That's great news! I'd (obviously incorrectly) assumed that because there was a new tyre out and that I found it difficult to source 17" PS2 N3's that they were discontinuing them...

Hi Image, for the record, where is your local Indy? interesting price for wheel refurb £45 each.... worth saving to my faves! thanks Paul

Hi Martin I did only ask about 225/40/18 and 295/30/18 but I find it hard to believe it will be differant, give them a ring they are enormously helpful

kasspa Local Indi is Parr based at Manor Royal Crawley, and Tyreworks were the alloy wheel refurbisers. Took the car into Parr yesterday at 08.00hrs, wheels off, tyres removed and Parr transported them around the corner to Tyreworks. I received tel call from Parr Customer Service at 14.30 saying wheels returned, ( complete with flatting out the area that nuts tighten onto) Tyres were then fitted, Balanced and then car road tested to ensure that there were no vibrations etc. Bill for tyres (fronts and Rears ) £597 inc vat. Wheels perfect ... great appearance. Image

Thanks Image, i'm in bedfordshire so prob not practical although i did but an indoor cover from Parr. the price for a set of Contis is excellent, i paid £715 for all 4 last year (N2's) & everything is going up..... thought they were a bargain considering Michelins were £300 each for rears! kasspa