Tyre Choice - 996 Cab

Is there a difference between the Dunlop 9000 & 9090? Is this just the non-OEM/OEM thing? I need to replace my rear Dunlops after 10k miles. Any feedback on the best tyres for the cab? Should I consider changing out all four for something different - I'm tempted to just replace the rears as the Dunlops have been great in the NW rain. But maybe there's a better choice? Dumb question: Would changing the rears only to another make be a bad idea? (I think I know the answer) Graham

Yes, the 9090 is the OEM version used by both Porsche and BMW. These are not the greatest tires, at least not ultimate performance wise. If you want to replace only the rears, you should only get the same tires as the fronts. If you want to change all fours, the Michelin Pilot Sport and the Pirelli P-Zero Rosso seem to be amongst the best for the 996. Both tires are excellent in the dry and wet.

I agree with Viken as to the Michelin Pilot Sports. My '99 C2 cab came with Michelins and the rears lasted about 25k mi. in daily, not overly aggressive, driving. I now have an '02 cab that I got in Oct. with Continentals, which, after 3,500 mi., are showing wear in the rears.

Any thoughts on the Bridgestone SO3? (Or SO2). Also, with the Pirelli PZero, are you fitting asimmetrico's all round on a 996 or directionals on the front. For a 4wd I caould understand all assymetrics ... Thanks

I don't like the S-02, which is now discontinued, but I don't have any experience with the S03. It seems that the mixed set is being installed on the mid-engine cars like the Boxster. All 996 cars are coming with Asimmetrico's all-around.

I have had Michelin MXX3's, Michelin Pilot Sports, Dunlop SP8000's, SP9000's, and SO3's. MXX3's- awesome dry traction, terrible wet traction, supersoft last 9k miles, harsh ride Pilot Sports - good dry traction, not quite MXX3 level, decent wet, noisy, last 12k miles, harsh ride SP8000- noisy, traction wet/dry ok- not as good as Michelins, poor wear, noisy, ok ride SP9000- excellent wet traction, decent dry traction, quiet, last 16k miles, very good ride SO3's- excellent traction wet&dry, quiet, good ride Contisportcontacts - good dry, great wet traction, noisy, tramlines horribly, good ride These were sequentially used on my 97 M3, all included some track laps also. Contis were only a 528 sport. Highly recommend SO3's. Hope this helps. Eugene

I agree with eclou, if you are lookinig for grip get the S03's. But, I find them to be harder even than the MXX3�s (personally I value grip over ride quality) but no contest in the wet over other tires. They wear out really quick, if I�m lucky I�ll get 6,000 miles. Does anybody find that the S03�s wear out quicker than the others? If you want some info on these tires tested on a BMW 328 by the same people in the same conditions and same circuit try: www.tirerack.com. Carlos from Spain.

I am also in agreement. The S03's are great! I value grid over anything. I just purchased the Porsche so I am experimenting with the grip limits of the car. What I can tell you is the grip is fantastic with the s03 tires. The sport cont. were never to predictable or forgiving in my opinion . But the S03's are very forgiving and slide predictably. This of course is subjective to sportive driving. A daily driver type situation would require a different set of preferences for tire selection. You can go to tirerack.com and compare the different tires under different scores. Dry, wet grip, comfort, noise, braking and even how long they last. Also see customers feedback on the tires. just my 2 cents.

Thanks for all the feedback. I'd already checked out tirerack.com for side by side comparisons, but obviously they related to the application of the various tyres on BMWs. It helps to know what people's actual experience is like on a Porsche ... This time around I'm probably going to go for the Dunlop 9090's on the rear again. I use the car as a daily and so ultimate grip etc isn't so important for me as rain behaviour and performance on rutted freeways. I haven't had any issues with the Dunlop's (actually, they've been great in the wet and seemed fine in the dry), and so it makes sense financially just to replace the rears this time around. Graham