Rookie Tire Question

Just got a 2009 Boxster PDK Base. Love the car, and am getting used to Porsche "quirks". I'm not a track guy - just want a fun and spirited ride...live in SW Florida, and it's ALWAYS convertible season here. My rookie question: The car came with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires. They are 5 years old, but have some decent tread left. My problem is the NOISE. They are really loud, so much so that the cruddy base Porsche sound system can't get loud enough at highway speed. I've done some starter research - no question that the Michelins get the "crowd favorite" award...but I'll never drive them hard enough to appreciate them, I'm afraid. The best rated tire with excellent road noise scores is the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus. Comparable or near to Michelin performance ratings, but better road miners. Also about 30% cheaper. Am I looking at this the wrong way? BoxsterDave

"Better road miners" - those are the little men digging up the road and making so much noise... Autocorrect -sheesh - better road MANNERS

I had the Continentals on one of my GTIs and my Golf R, and thought they were a very good tire. But I'm not sure any tire is going to make a lot of difference to your sound system deficiency, especially if you like driving with the top down...

I run the DWS on my Cayman and love the grip and steadiness. Great tire for price and looks. I drive pretty aggressive and they hold corners very well. Good grip in the wet. I would say they are not whisper quiet, but much better than the Michelin's I had on it

Hi Dave, welcome to Planet-9, the Friendly Porsche Forum.. When you have a chance, please visit New Member Introductions and let us know all about you and your new Boxster.. which is NOT A "Base" - Porsche has never made a "Base" car. They make cars with model names, in the case of yours, it's a Boxster, just like my '09 Boxster 2.9L PDK. Calling it a "Base" is somewhat degrading IMHO.. there is nothing base about it. If you do use the term - please make it all lowercase, that prevents confusing it with a model name. Now to your question: I run the Conti DWS 06 Plus on my Boxster (which sounds identical to yours) and yes - they are quiet tires. Bridgestones are not a tire I've ever been very impressed with. the DWS probably makes more sense in NJ than in Florida since your need for a snow capable tire is really rather unlikely. Conti does make a number of other tires that might be suitable. That said - I'm quite happy with how they work on my Boxster. Besides being quieter, they are less harsh than the Michelin's that were on it when I got the car. And the tire wear warranty is outstanding. You can make a considerable difference to your Porsche audio system, making it useable at highway speeds with the top down. I'm guessing you don't have the Bose subwoofer behind the seats (on top of the engine compartment) - that's actually a GOOD THING. Suncoast Porsche offers a kit that adds speakers behind your head.. there is a writeup I did on installing it at: Installation notes on Suncoast's storage-bin... - and it's not awfully expensive considering it's for a Porsche, sold by a Porsche dealer and the parts/construction/kit are really excellent quality. It does work well.. and it helps a lot when the top is down and you're traveling at speed. They are full-range speakers, unlike the Bose system subwoofer, so they make it easier to actually hear all the audio, not just the drums and bass guitar.. Meanwhile - please go to the New Member section, and let us know about you, your car AND some photos of the car. We love photos..

Hi Dave, I am in the Saint Pete area. I replaced the DWS that were on my 08 CS with Conti, Extreme Contact Sport. I find them predicable, quiet(as a cayman can be), and comfortable to ride on. The dry traction insane for a road tire. My wet experience rates them as incredible. At speed they are sure footed and never feel separated from the road.

My car had these on her when I bought it. I love them! Have yet to break them loose. Shawn in VA (USA)

Performance tires generally have a good life of about 6 years and you are approaching that whether they have thread or not. The R050s are very loud, especially older. Michelins get loud around 4-5 years also, especially the Supersports. Most 4S are a newer model but as many of those age, you will probably start to hear about noise from those. Rubber gets old and hard with time and performance tires use a softer compound. If you want a really good tire for the money try the Firestone Indy 500. See if they make it in your size. It's a really good tire for the money. The continentals are really good and usually quieter than Michelins with similar performance. So try a Continental and get some fresh rubber soon.

I run the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 on my 2015 Boxster S and I love them. I am not a track guy either, just spirited driver and I notice no difference in grip. Low noise and great ride.