Tyre recommendation 996 GT3

Hi all, I know tyre choice/recommendations have probably been done to death on every car forum ever....... and it is very much personal taste thing....... but needing a new set of hoops for the GT3 and looking for some advice. Not going to track it, but certainly use it for spirited driving, predominantly through the Adelaide Hills........ pretty much a dry weather princess. Was pretty well set on Michelin Sport 4S, but tyre shop has just thrown in a curve ball of also suggesting I consider Pirelli P Zero Rosso Assymetric. I had Pirellis on my 3.2 Carrera in a past life, and loved them, but that was 20+ years ago. Open to any enlightenment from the masses......

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When I wear out my Direzza Z3s on my 996.1 GT3 my next tyres will be PS4S as road tyres.  Only Pirelli I've ever had that I've been happy with are Scorpions on my Touareg.  P-Zeros I've had on my GT3 originally, 981 Boxster and 996.2 C2 were crap and I got rid of them as soon as I could......

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I'd be assuming this recommendation is based on the availability of the Pirelli as opposed to the Michelin. Generally, I'd say Michelin make a better tyre but they have become quite hard to get in 18's to suit the 996 GT3. My alternative recommendation would be these; https://www.yokohama.com.au/our-range/tyres/ADVAN Neova AD08R?type=ADVAN Tyres&tyrecategory=ADVAN Tyres&code=&label= I run these on my 'road' set of rims and would highly recommend for an all weather road tyre capable of spirited weekend hooning..............not that I do that at all. For the price, I'd say the performance is hard to beat.

I’m running Cup 2’s they’re great, but the AD08R that @hugh recommended are excellent for the $$ as they’re a fraction of the cost… a very good road tyre

I’m due soon and will be going cup 2 if I can get them. A052 is also worth considering if you don’t drive in the rain. Quite a big step up in performance over AD08R

The Dunlop Direzza Z3s I've been running are the Dunlop equivalent to the AD08Rs as far as I can work out.  Similar pricing, I just got a better deal on the Dunlops, which you need to get from a Dunlop motorsport dealer,  (the Tassie dealer is an ex-client of mine).  Pretty sure the Yokos need to be sourced from a more limited range of dealers too, I think the Tyres & More franchise guys are one of the ones who have them available.

Thanks all ……. Are Cup 2’s possibly overkill for my intended use?

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No such thing as overkill with tyres. Cup 2 or 4S if you can get them would be the tyre of choice IMO.

Have a look at teh Continentals Sport Contact 6. I have them in 19's and the PS4S in 18's and the difference is negligible if at all unless you are at 10/10th's. Continentals are wearing very very well and are also great in wet and dry.

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Fully agree with this. Cup 2 is still a very civilized road tyre and if you don’t drive in the rain they’re the ones to go for IMO.

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They’re very good for NVH, and I drove a few hours in rain on the Cup 2’s last Sunday, if you don’t try any funny business they’re perfectly fine in the wet.

Tyresales "seem" to have Michelin Sport 4S available... https://www.tyresales.com.au/buy/tyre/MICHELIN/PILOT_SPORT_4S/295-30r18/194291?q=4&deliverypostcode=2444

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Fronts show as "out of stock" though.

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This is it. We don’t see the near freezing temps here either like in NA and Europe so they’re basically a year rounder.

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Hmmm... Liking the taste of Cup 2's now.

I've had both tyres on my 997 GT3, Pirelli Assymetrico and Michellin Cup 2's. Pirelli's are noisy and do stick in all conditions, dry and very wet ( i was in Tassie during the middle of a storm ) but Michellin Cup 2's are just that little bit better and I've driven in the same conditions on both sets of tyres. Michellin Cup 2 all the way, you wont look back and if you do decide to do the odd track day, they will do what you want them to do. That's my 2 bobs worth.

I thought I'd revisit this thread and post my feedback and questions here, although case use is different to the OP, there is already some good information and dialogue for the platform (996 GT3), so figured I'll keep it rolling. I fitted a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2's late last year for the 2022 sprint season, the original intent was to have my car in a drive there, drive home format, i.e. no swapping out for R-Comps at the track (which I have traditionally done). Thus far I have done 5 track days on them, 1 of those very wet, so I dont think it counts for the comments that are coming... On average, I'd run 4 sessions a day, max 8 min sessions, however I'll caveat this by noting within the 4, I have done 2 private events with longer session times** This past weekend, I noted the grip had faded, even once I could get the pressures dialled (30psi hot) and temp into them, they just felt off , like the lateral grip was no longer there, particularly in the front end... talking amongst my comrades between sessions, the general number that came back was 4~ track days before they fall off their peak, I would say they've done 20-25 + heat cycles now, the wear is pretty even (good alignment) and this seems to be consistent with other Cup 2 users on Rennlist. They've got a little amount of tread left, oddly more in the rear than the front (new for me on a 911) so I'll see them out on the road, but they've done their last track day, since I have 18" wheels, I have the choice of R-comps, so rather than refresh them, I will have A050's for the rest of the year now as I should have done in the first place! I'll be interested to dive through the data, and see lateral acc compared to the week prior... but in lap time alone I was way off! If you want a good road tyre that is excellent for the odd (read 1-2) track day a year, with the rest street driving, I can say these are the tyre you go for and $$ value would be okay, I know the guys with GT4's & 991+ GT3's don't really have a choice, so replace them as need be and I can see that would be costly... A050's grip till the belts hang out. Anyone else have similar (or different) experience?

My dilemma is 4s v Cup 2 as well. 1 or 2 track days a year but mostly cruises. I tell you what, tyre options are slim in the 295/30/18, 235/40/18 space. 4S's are $631 a tyre and not available in 235/40/18's. So trying to find a matching set is quite an expensive and low option task. Was hoping for 4s's all round but stuck with 4s rear, 4 or 2 front. Can't even find Cup 2's at the moment. P.S I've got PZero's on my 400kw Falcon Sprint and grip falls off a cliff at 40% wear. They're not up to the task before half worn.

I run the Cup 2s for the reasons you do on my 996.  They are good on the track and when they go off they (in my experience) drop off is isn't off a cliff and you get plenty of heat cycles.  They also work in the wet (roads/freeway etc in downpour) The A050s will be faster, stiffer sidewall inspires confidence and they warm up well.  I cant talk to heat cycles as I haven't gone through the set I have (medium) - increased road noise is a negative for me.  If you stick them on a set of track dedicated wheels and leave the Cup 2s (or something else) on the road setup maybe not so much of an issue as they are then track only.

Still think you guys should investigate the Dunlop Direzza Z3s.  A hybrid track / road tyre that I have been really impressed with, although I probably can't / don't drive at your level. Only available through Dunlop Motorsport dealers as I understand.....

Cup 2's for the road on 19" rims and Nangkang AR1's for the track on 18" rims seems to be the go.

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I’d probably go Cup 2 if there isn’t much $$ difference and you will go to the track. Yup, summed up nicely… in a perfect World Cup 2’s for the road setup, and perhaps the odd private day… then a spare set of wheels with A050’s for track! This is what I did previously and was the best solution, have your cake and eat it type of deal! 😎 I’ve used the Dunlop Race Maxx in the past they were quite good… but at the end of the day, a street tyre or hybrid will never stand up to an R! Yup! 👍 Well, to answer my own question… I responded in another thread on the data: Having just looked at my data logs from Sunday and the week prior, nothing in it on the straights, those min/max speeds are good… I was down speed and lateral acc on every turn by comparison to the week prior! Best sectors week prior were 1:46.2 vs 1:50.1 a huge gap!

Advan A050’s are really the best when it comes to track use. Only other tyre worth considering if you are really trying to squeeze every extra 100th is the Hoosier A7/R7. Forget the rest on track, especially on a car worth as much as a GT3. I’ve used all of the road tyres suggested above and run Advan AD08R’s, the performance & compound for the $$$ is great. Michelin are great but availability tends to be pretty limited.

Having just had to tyre shop in 996 GT3 sizes - availability right now is the limiting factor. I've been happy with Dunlop Direzza Z3 and Yoko AD08R in the past, but none available in these sizes, nor the A052. Ended up trying Bridgestone RE71RS last week based on reviews and comparisons with the above. Worth a look. Just did Winton on them in the dry and drove home in torrential rain. And survived both!

@edgy were yours the newer Cup 2 connect or the older version? I have just had a set of the connect fitted and an aggressive alignment dialed in to give them a run at The Bend in a couple of weeks. Not expecting amazing but hopefully a good fit for a couple of track days per year and the rest road use. If they last a couple of years for all of that I’ll be quite pleased. Couldn’t justify faffing around with the track wheels and a set of A050 for only two days per year, but the performance in a couple of weeks will be the judge of whether or not selling them (again 🥴 ) was a good decision. If I was going to go that route again I would do some Pirelli DH slicks.

Cup 2 = an awesome road and track compromise . Note compromise is the key - good at both but best at neither road or track.

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I ran RE71RS' as track tyres for the last year(3 track days and a training session)and they have held up well, last track I found there limit with a combination of warm track conditions, near end of life and more agresssive driving. Still a good bang for buck option.

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Where do you see the 4s? I'm having a hard time deciding between them given i know how good the 4s is on heavy high powered cars, Cup 2's have been more track focused tyre that required warmup and has a much shorter life.

I had the cup 2 on my bmw csl for 500km.  As road car tyre - they were pretty average when cold. Also average when wet.  Not bad, but average. Too average for me. Sold them and went 4s - they are awesome wet or dry. 10/10 on road. So then pulled cup 2 off my gt3 and went 4s.  Used 4s on track a few times too, mainly when wet or a fun session, not for times.  For times on the GT3 used ao50 or trofeo R …or other rubber as mentioned above I guess.

How many Ks are you guys getting out of a set of these tyres? Im curious as which way to go , my driving is primarily SMT type stuff and say  track day a year I’d expect. Wondering if 4s is all I need or even to much?

Keep in mind that the new connect compound of cup 2 has a higher tread wear than the old cup 2. It’s now around 240 or there abouts. Supposedly similar wet performance and life to the 4S but better dry performance. I am yet to really give them a good shake and don’t drive my car in the rain at all really so it was a no brainer for me. The tyres will likely age out before they wear out.

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Can never have too much in these cars.

It appears if you want the Cup2 connect or PS4s fronts you're limited to 225/40/18 only, neither come in a 235/40/18 The only options in 235 wide fronts are PS2 or PS4. That said for the 235 Cup 2 connects the Michelin site appears to have a typo listing primacy 4's on the Cup 2 list.

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I have the connect in factory 996 GT3 sizes. 235/40r18 and 295/30r18. I ordered about 6 weeks ago and got the last set of 235 in Aus but more have come back into stock since then (and may have already been exhausted again).

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Will need to enquire as i need new Rears. I've currently got 295/30/18 PS2 on rear and 225 PS4 fronts, but want to run the same compound front and rear. My Dilemma is finding a decent tyre that offers 295/30/18 R and 235/40/18 F. I cant get that with PS4s's sadly, so its either PS2 or Cup 2 connects. PS4s is my preferred tyre but can only get 225 fronts. My dilemma

How are you using the car @NAC911 and what sort of kms do you do?

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3-5000k's a year, maybe 1 track day, the rest is touring, cruises, enjoyment.

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PS4 will do the job but I wouldn’t go PS2 over cup 2 (if those are your only choices). I will add that for me personally, in all the years of owning many different performance cars and buying lots of sets of tyres, I’ve not once ever regretted going with the more aggressive option. I can’t say the same for when I’ve gone the other direction though. I’ve heard of people getting 40,000 from a set of PS4. With the kms you are doing, the rubber will likely age out before it wears out (even on a rear heavy 911).

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Good question, I should have noted this, they are the new Connect* version, I think for all intents & purposes you will be happy with them, but I have found them to be sensitive to pressure and very sensitive to temp, but when you do get the heat into the compound they stick, but unlike an A050 which is in the zone from lap 1-2 I found its more like lap 3 & onwards for the Cup 2's On the alignment, and I know we've discussed it at great lengths, I never really did dial out the entry understeer until last Sunday, we changed sway-bars from M-M to Soft front, Hard rear... the car bites & turns in better now, so my confidence is restored, but the tyres we're done by then... I think that is pretty accurate assessment, good at both, not great at either. Found them to be very temp sensitive on track too! Yes, tread wear is 240! I'll probably go PS 4S next as road only tyres, good enough for Gordon Murray, good enough for a hack like me! 😛 Agree! No, you can definitely get the 235/40/18 fronts, that is what I am running.

^ agree with spiller's comments above. Plenty of road cars over the years with up to 500kw+ atw, all with R-comp rubber. Never regretted it once. Sure I was cautious in the occasional deluge, or when first heading off when less than 5 degree c of a morning, PSC2's are vastly more forgiving than this, so really don't have a downside IMO. I have PS4S on my RS4 and PSC2 on the GT3 - will be putting PSC2 on the Audi when it is time to change.

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Are you selling?

Any tyre updates for the track 996 people? I’ve got some 4S tyres on now which have been great for knocking about. Will throw some track tyres on spare wheels next. Saw the new Hoosier road tyres, but they dont come in 996 size yet. Also, track wheels - Front Size: 18x9” ET46 Rear Size: 18x11” ET60 Seems to be what most people opt for?

Am thinking these wheels. https://apexwheels.com/wheels/forged/touring-line/ml-10rt

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050's or 052's I would have though would be the go.

That’s what I was thinking. Some ao50’s on the new rims. 255 fronts. 295 rears. Rinse and repeat.

Sorry for all the questions, but what sizes are people running on 996 GT3's in the Ao50'2? I was thinking Front Tire Size: 255/35-18 Rear Tire Size: 295/30-18 Rears seem fine, but fronts have 255/40-18 as the closest, might be a tad large for the wheel well without a heap of camber.

255 seems like a wide tyre for the front? 235/245 would be my suggestion - you don’t want to “over tyre” the front end too much?

As always. Super helpful, thanks @hugh

on my GT3, i generally run Yokohama A02 235 soft on the front and 295 on the rears mediums, have worked with other sizes, bbut these tend to work the best, plenty of negative camber at the front end - track mainly

You should also check out the Hankook Z221 as pace is very similar to A050 but much better priced.

super sticky, however, they shred on a hot track, so poor economics

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As @hugh said 235 F is plenty! Years on and I don’t think you can beat having a good street tyres then a second set of wheels wearing A050’s also, you don’t want to play with rolling diameters as they can become sensitive to ABS “ice mode” of course setup, setup, setup + seat time is king!

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Not sure if any one mentioned Nankang CR-S, the latest iteration of these tyres have been getting very good reviews and comparable to A052, Trofeo R, and RE71-RS. Great value as well and good dual purpose street/track tyre and a step up from Cup 2s. What are the A02's?  Interesting idea running soft on the front and medium on the rear. Would that not affect the car balance and perhaps make the rear a little more taily? On my cayman, in the A052s (mediums) the 295 rears always wear about twice as fast as the 265 fronts as you'd expect so my thinking is the soft on the front and medium on the back could even out the front/rear wear whilst giving a bit more front grip. Perhaps I could compensate the potential balance issues by going a slightly narrower front tyre? i.e., 235 or 245 in soft rather than 265 in medium? The narrower tyre on my 9" rim may also be a bit more precise. Interested to hear people's thoughts.

sorry that was a typo, A05's , traction Tryes the distrubuter in melbourne recommend that this is the best set up, have tried hards and mediums but not as good

Thanks mate. I’ll be picking up some yolks from traxion. I’ve got a spare set of wheels on the way. They get here in December.