Tires... What to buy?

I just put a new set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires on my 2002 Carrera Cabriolet. I ordered these tires specifically (I've always been a Michelin fan) and they work very well. However... My tire dealer (GM at a Wheel Works outlet) seems like a very knowledgable guy. He worked for Penske Racing several years as the wheel/tire guy. He was really trying to steer me into a set of Bridgestones, but didn't say anything negative at all about the Michelins. He did say, however, that Bridgestone was the leader in putting money into R&D and that they now lead the pack when it comes to great tires. Obviously, he probably gets a better profit margin with Bridgestone, but he made a convincing argument. I don't track the car and don't push it hard at all when taking corners. In short, I'll never test the limit of these tires unless it's an emergency situation. What say ye about Bridgestone vs Michelin for my Porsche when it's time to reshod down the road? Bill My machine. Shot taken recently on CA Highway 1 at Pescadero: IMG_6056_zpsfn7wwpqh.jpg

I don't understand why you'd go for Sport Cup 2's if you don't take it to the track and don't push it in corners on the street. Get Super Sports (or whatever they just replaced them with). You'll get longer life out of them and much better performance in the rain. What made you choose the Sport Cup 2's?

"What made you choose the Sport Cup 2's...?" They were the recommendation of my mechanic. Will go for Super Sports next time. What's your feeling about Bridgestones?

I don't. I used up the Goodyear's that came on my car in a year and now I'm on MPSS. I don't have enough personal experience to make much in the way of recommendations. For me it's going to come down to how long they last. I DO drive hard and go to the track, so if the tires don't perform, I'll have complaints. The Goodyears did everything I asked of them. I hydroplaned at WGI so that wasn't great. I found myself sliding in a few corners but found the tires very controllable. So far I've been perfectly happy with the MPSS but time will tell whether they last longer. My choice was based on a seemingly universal "Get MPSS and you'll be happy" opinion. Apparently Pirelli's grip better but last half as long. I've never heard anyone recommending Bridgestones. All that said... from your description of your driving, I'm not sure there's anything more important for you than price, tread life and wet traction. I only mention wet traction since the Sport Cup 2's or any other track oriented tire is going to let you down there. If you're not going to approach the limits of the tire then those limits don't really matter, right? So you won't notice a performance difference between any of the tires you choose, but you WILL notice when they wear out and need to be replaced.

Good info, WW. Thanks! I should have done more research before buying the tires since tread wear is important to me. Wet weather performance is less of an issue because where i live we have little rain. Sounds like it will be MPSS next time around unless someone in this Forum talks up Bridgestones or... Bill

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Just remember that Michelin is replacing them so you might be looking for Pilot Sport 4 S rather than Pilot Super Sport when the time comes. Some info here: https://rennlist.com/forums/997-turb...sport-4-s.html

Thanks!

Here is what Potrsche say - http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page...-porsche-tyres

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Definitely MPSS for the best daily tires although I would recommend you having a little more fun in your car moving forward. Especially with those Cup 2s!!

Moving your thread to the 996 forum.

The PS Cup 2's are a higher performance trackable tire that works well on the street. If all you do is drive around town, it almost doesn't matter what tires you have. There is a chance your advisor was trying to put you in a longer lasting street tire if he knew you didn't plan on going to the track.

I think when someone recommends an entire tire manufacturer instead of a specific tire I'd be very hesitant to take any advice from them.

I've got Bridgestone RE-11 and have been quite happy with them. Of course I have 17" wheels so my choices were quite limited. But like others have said, if you're only street driving then it probably doesn't matter too much so long as you get something of good overall quality. The next GGR autocross is Nov 12, you should come out and give your tires a proper workout! http://www.pca-ggr.org/autocross/

Thanks for all the good info above! Bill

MPSS is a great street tire. Great for carving canyons, etc. Not a good track or AX tire IMHO A better choice for a performance tire would be Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R

I like PS2's because they stick well and are predictable through corners and hard braking. Just my opinion, but after running them on two previous Corvettes and now the 996, they're my go-to tires for street driven sports cars. And as an added bonus, they aren't loud when rolling down the highway with the top down with 305/30/19's on the rear. I'm sure there are other equally great if not better street tires out there now, but you made a good choice. And unsubstantiated Bridgestone R&D budget claims don't necessarily equate to a better street performance tire for your 996.

I have been using Bridgestone S-02A N3's since I have owned the car and now on my third set of rears. They get loud toward the end of their life (10,000 miles +/-) but they grip nicely in dry and in the wet with plenty of tread remaining. Since the front rubber will be four years old this coming Spring I will be switching to the Pilot Sport rubber on all four corners when my rear tires burn off. With that said the Bridgestone tires have served me well and I feel a superb tire for the money but I want to try PS's next. But not before switching to Pirelli WinterSport's about a month from now.

I run the Cheap Sumitomo's and they are awesome in the dry, but suck in the rain.... The reviews for them in the dry are also quite good. But I only drive my car spiritedly in the canyons. It doesn't go to a track However I Ran Bridgestone Pole Position tires on my Golf R and loved them...

I run Continental Extreme Contact DW (Dry or Wet) summer tires. I've been very happy with them. Where I live there is no need to have concern over winters. Performance: I drive my car hard and have a difficult time getting it loose even when I want to. I haven't tracked or autocrossed them yet, but I expect to be pleased with them based on quite a few "spirited" drives. Performs great in the rain. I can cut them loose turning at an intersection in the rain from a stop...if I try! Treadwear: This is my first set of these. I've put 18k on them and they don't look close to needing to be replaced.

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You got 18k miles on your rear tires! They should be worn out in half that.

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LOL.... But true... maybe I need to stop powersliding my car

I run Bridgestone SO4's on my 997 for the street. I have tracked those tires as well... they are a great all round tire (even for occasional track day). I run Sport Cups (not 2's) as my track tire - which is a MUCH better tire than the SO4's - unless it is wet - then they are just scary. I will continue to run Yoka's ADVAN AD08R's and Sport Cups for tracking (or NT01) and will have a set of SO4's on the 996 for street.

[QUOTE=mharrison;13699333] I drive my car hard and have a difficult time getting it loose even when I want to.[QUOTE] You need to try harder. Your car is certainly capable of getting loose. Use more throttle on turns. Start with on ramps. The transition from grip to slide is smooth in a 996. Smooth enough that you can steer through it with one hand and not break a sweat. Tighter turns require a bit more skill. I'm not talking smoke show here but a nice chirp at 90 degree turns. Put your left foot on the dead pedal and jam yourself back in the seat before the turn, being jammed in there makes it seem like it happens in slow motion.

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FIFY.

I am running Yokohama Advan Sport A/S year round in the Midwest. Replaced the Michelin PSS' Could not be happier! Absolutely awesome in the rain and very predictable.

Black ones? That are round?

I have been running 18" Bridgestone Potenzas on my 2003 C2 for several sets. I like them just fine.

I bought my 2004 carrera about 10K miles ago it came with Continental Extreme Contact tires and they still had tread left--I was going to save them, but the were having a really good deal at Tire Rack for new ones--My new wheels are on back order and I haven't had a chance to use them yet. I had recently bought a set of Bridgestone re71, but wanted to mainly save those for the track---got to run the last race of the season on them and they really helped my pathetic times. I wanted take a road trip from the northern Ca border up to the San Juan Islands and then see some of the Olympic National forest on my way back. I really didn't want to take these tires, but winter is coming on quick and I didn't want to wait for the new tires. It rained really hard after I got north of Portland and I've never had a car or tires hydroplane so much in my life---I was worried about wear on the Bridgestone re71, but they dint seem to touch the pavement half the time. The flow of traffic was about 60 mph and big rig truck to the side and sometime behind me.. It was really scary--If I wasn't so stubborn I with a time frame I would have pulled over and waited for the rain to stop or the next day. My used Continental Extreme Contact weren't to bad in the rain with over 10k on them, but this was a lot worse then wet pavement

I go WOT around 3,000 RPMS when taking a turn and I get my *** end out about 2-3 feet every time and as mentioned above, it is VERY easy to control... correct back to straight around 6,000 RPMS, shift into 2nd and continue straight

OP, thanks for posting this. Does anyone have a recommendation for the best ride quality? I'm running Michelin Pilot Sports and don't need anymore traction than that. Roads are really bad in Socal. Wet traction is not a concern.

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What size wheel are you running? 17" wheels will smooth the ride, though they don't look as good. You should also think about suspension options.

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I have 18" wheels. Good point about the 17's. Are there after market suspension options that'll smooth out the ride without sacrifice handling? If so, can you name a some? Thanks!

I went with the MPSS again as they perform very well for me even if they don't last 15000. I drive normal, till I don't. When I want to explore corners or triple digit speeds, I don't want to give the tires any thought.

I've been worshiping at the alter of "Bibi Dum" forever, but, I am running Conti Extremes DWs on miene liebshen and am very pleased with the performance . These came on the car when purchased, It makes me think we should never feel married to any brand. Incidentally, my first 911 was a 75 Silver anniversary That ate Pirelli N36s faster than you could mount em. Go figure.

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It's a great tire you picked. A bit overkill for your intended usage. Good enough reason to sign up for a PCA Autocross. Then you really get to enjoy what they can do on your car.

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I stuck my head in here to say this. I've autocrossed and daily driven the RE-71R and Pilot Super Sports, and I'd go with the RE-71R any day of the week. They're holding up significantly better than expected as well, which I would not have expected from such a soft compound.