Help me convince my Dad to spend a lot less (or just a little bit more) on tires

My Dad has on '03 996 C2. His ContiSportContact 2's are down to 3/32 in the rear and could stand to be replaced due to this. The fronts are 5/32, but the date code is from 2003, so all four will be replaced at the same time. He's a big proponent of N-spec tires. I am not. In stock 18" sizes, Tire Rack only lists 3 N-spec tires. Pirelli P Zero Rosso's at $1076 for the set, Bridgestone Potenza S-02A's for $1248 and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's for $1400. He's leaning towards the S-02A's, but I think this is a mistake for two reasons. First, the S-02A is quite old technology wise, and I think that he's better served to get a more modern design. Second, I'd be very worried about the date code of the S-02A's that he would get from Tire Rack. Bridgestone hasn't produced this non-N spec tire in quite a while. I can't imagine that they keep a manufacturing line open just to produce N-spec S-02A tires. In my mind, there are a few options. If he insists on N-specs, get the PS2's over the S-02A's. They're only $148 more expensive for the set and almost certainly better. He's already ruled out the Rosso's because of a friend who has them who says they're harsh. If he just wants the (arguably) best performing tire, I would go with the Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08 at $1022 for the set. Option 3 would be to go with an excellent tire at a fraction of the cost of either. With this option I would choose the Hankook Ventus V12 evo, which is exactly what I did for my Cayman S. The set of 4 at Tire Rack is $622. For the driving he does and what he seems to be looking for (good performance in a relatively quiet and comfortable tire), I think it's a great fit. If he doesn't like the Hankook name, he could go with the Continental ExtremeContact DW for $824. Both the Hankook and Conti have gotten great reviews from multiple sources. So basically, I'm trying to get him to either spend just a bit more for the N-spec PS2's, or spend a whole lot less for a non-N tire like the Hankook. Any thoughts?

Tell your Dad to get the Sumi HTR Z IIIs. They are even less than the Hankooks(?) and perform great. I recently put them on my 2000 Carrera 2 and they are unbeatable for the money IMHO. Are they as good as the PS2s and other high priced options? NO. But they give you 8 or 9/10s of the performance for about 1/4 of the price. That is a tradeoff I will take as I only drive my 996 on the street. Seriously, look into the Sumis. Good luck.

On the flip side of the equation, I run the PS2s and absolutely love them. I track my car occasionally, and find the PS2s perform really well when pushed hard (and I've found the Sumis don't). I've heard 2nd hand that some people like this tire: http://www.dunloptires.com/catalog/d...1StarSpec.html - but I have no experience with it, nor do I know the cost.

What does your dad use his car for? DD? Track? Where does he live? There are a lot of choices, and other than general info, it's hard to give appropriate advice without more specifics. Generally speaking, PS2 is a great tire. But so is the Sumi. It all depends on use. -td

I dont get it... Dad wants new tires... let him get what he wants. How does he use the car, how does HE feel when he knows he has the "best" tires on compaired to "something else" piece of mind is expensive, but worrying about stupid things because you didnt get what you wanted is even more expensive. FWIW I like the Sumi HTR ZIII's as well, but ask yourself.... what is your motivation, and what is his later

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I have those tires on my wife's 335. Very good performer overall, although I did put a series of blisters in them last track day. Not available in standard 18 inch sizes for the 996.

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He lives in Tennessee and daily drives his car. He already has winter tires, so he doesn't need all-seasons. He *may* try to do 1-2 HPDE's a year, but I don't believe he has yet had his 996 on the track, so IMO this isn't really a consideration. He's looking for an N-spec tire that will handle well, won't beat him up over pavement irregularities and is decently quiet. I don't believe that Star Specs are available in OEM 18" sizes, and he's not willing to go to a different width or aspect ratio tire. See, that's the thing. If he gets the S-02A's, he won't be getting the "best" tires. In general, the PS2's are probably some of the best reviewed high performance tires of all time. If you're willing to spend $1248 for a set of tires, why would you not spend an extra $148 to get the PS2's? Ultimately, he will get what he wants, I'm just trying to open his mind a bit to some great tires that just don't happen to be "Porsche approved". And his car won't even burst into a ball of flames or spin out every corner if he uses them. And on top of that, they're 1/2 the price. Sounds like a winner to me.

I heard that non Porsche approved tires can cause IMS and RMS issues. -td

sounds like a set of SUMI's is his best choice based on use and location do a search for them on here, there are several recent - very convincing threads

It sounds like he is either looking for a deal on tires, or to replace the OEM set. Deal on tires = Sumi's (or Hankooks) Replacement = PS2's I would not suggest or recommend to him anything else. Putting myself in your place, if I talked my dad into the "cheap" tires and ANYTHING less than perfection happened then I would never get a chance to live it down. If I talked him into the "good" tires, I can do no wrong. I personally would buy the Sumi's and would tell my dad so. I would love to rather have the Pilots, and would tell my dad so. Tell him that and he will decide well. Brian

Nice of you to look out for pops, on the other hand let him make his own tire decision. He may have his reasons for his choices, that you are not considering. Some people are only comfortable with what a manufacturer has tested and recommends like N tires. Some people believe that price, performance and safety increase at the same rate. Everyone has a different comfort level regarding different things, discuss it with him and let him go with what he wants. Ultimately he will probably be most happy with what he chooses. Preceptions are often based on expectations. I'd go with the Sumi lls, one of the best looking and long wearing tires available. I mounted a second set and my new car owner likes them as well, he had a say in the choice of new rubber. They are also terrific in the rain and for aggressive street driving.

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I didnt come away with the "help me talk Dad into a cheap set of tires" at all

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It was not my intent to label the inexpensive tires as cheap, but I would definitely not compare them as equal to the expensive tires. So in a black and white comparison of the two in the eyes of my dad (in my opinion) one tire would be the "cheaper" tire and one would be the "gooder" tire. Brian

agreed, just didnt want the thread to turn into a bashing for the guy looking for "cheap tires"

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Are you looking for value or shopping by price? Sumis perform 75%+ compared to PS2's capabilities at 50% of the price. The upper 25% of performance from PS2s will probably never be reached in street driving. What am I missing here? Just because a tire is more expensive does not necessarily mean it is a better quality in its whole pricing proportion. PS2s are made by Michelin and run their financials in Euros; Sumis are reported in Yen. Those exchange rates have a huge effect on pricing with respect to the USD. I would not be surprised that Sumis will become more expensive in the months to come because Yen is hitting an all time high against the dollar. Will Sumis all of a sudden become a "better" tire because its price increased in USD?

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Agreed. But what you're missing is the conversation with my (and perhaps, JohnS54Coupe's) father. Here we go. Dad "I need to get some new tires. These are 'bout worn out, makin' noise and I don't want to have to drive them in the rain." Me "What kind of tires do you want to get?" Dad, looking at me a bit quizzically "What do you mean, what kind. I want the tires that go on it." Me "Well, how much do you want to spend?" Dad "No more than I have to" Me "Well, you can get some pretty good tires pretty cheap or you can get the tires Porsche puts on it for about twice as much" And we're back. Brain

Brian, I think its the delivery that is creating the problem. The conversation will turn for the better if you said "value" instead of "cheap."

I agree... when you re-stated your point without the word "cheap" it was cool.. but like I said above, didnt want it to go down the bashing a guy for buying cheap tires thread

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I see your point. The problem is that "value" can be different for everyone. Is getting twice the miles per dollar a better value than having a car just as it rolled off the line? My father and I often have different views of this. Did not mean to muddle things. Did not mean to suggest to go "cheap". Brian

Brian, You are right. Its a personality thing. Perhaps your dad is a PS2 customer and not willing to look further. There is nothing wrong with that either.

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Cheap has a negative connotation, and I for one, do not consider the Hankooks that I have on my Cayman S (or the Sumitomo's, for that matter, though I have no personal experience with them) to be cheap tires. They are excellent tires that happen to be inexpensive. I did my research and saw the risk as being fairly low given their reviews and price (my 18" set was $640.58 installed with tax). I am pleased with my decision to buy the Hankooks and now I'm trying to pass this experience on to my Dad.