987 Boxster 17" Tires

I have to get new tires for my 2006 Boxster base with 17" wheels. Stock is 205/55R17 and 235/50R17. I can only get Michelin PS2s, non-performance all seasons, and winter tires for it. I don't drive it in snow but I live in Minnesota. Fall drives can easily be in the 30-40F range. I like fall drives so I don't want to get the PS2s. I got the car 3 years ago. It currently has 215/45R17 and 245/45R17 Continental DWS06 Plus tires on it. I haven't identified any real issues with the setup other than being real slippery on hot track days. I would like to go with the Michelin PS4 all seasons. That seems to be a step in the direction of a dry tire but still retains the ability to drive in the fall. When I look at the sizes I'm not sure I currently have the closest to stock. I'm leaning towards 215/50R17 and 245/45R17. The diameters and front-to-back ratios seem relatively close to stock. Anyone have any feedback on the idea? Stock 205/55R17 Front, 657.3mm 235/50R17 Rear, 666.8mm Rear is 1.45% taller than the front Current 215/45R17 Front, 625.3, or 4.9% smaller than stock 245/45R17 Rear, 652.3mm, or 2.2% smaller than stock Rear is 4.32% taller than the rear Proposed 215/50R17 Front, 646.8mm, or 1.6% smaller than stock 245/45R17 Rear, 652.3mm, or 2.2% smaller than stock Rear is 0.85% taller than the front

My favorite tire for my 2007 Cayman with 17s are BFG G-Force Comp 2 A/S Plus . They absolutely grip like a summer tire, and shed water like a duck. I have even led a few Boxstoberfest drives on those tires and they perform way above their price point. Cannot comment on snow, I live in Texas.

Thanks for the suggestion. I might go that way. What sizes are you running? I’m not seeing that available with stock sizes either.

If you’re fortunate enough to live where you have bountiful storage and you’re going to keep the car a long time? Maybe consider two sets of wheels. If Minnesota Is like central NY and they salt heavily? Changing the tires spring time wouldn’t be a bad idea and it provides an opportunity to clean out the brakes from all of the same treatment of winter as well as stay on top of 24 month flush cycles. This approach also afford you a maximum performance tire for good weather and snow tires for the season. Also, extension of brake life and and a different look for your car. As for price? I have seen some tasty sets of wheels be sold from this very website before at very reasonable prices, many with rubber still left to wear. if you are fortunate enough to see some where you live? Even cheaper no shipping. If this idea is unappealing then I’d go with the Michelins You are considering. In the size you are shopping for you might really find something that wows you For less coin than you would imagine.

On the A/S tires I used 215-50r17 on front and 235-50r17 on rear. Worked great! There may be other combinations also.

I stop driving it when snow hits then don't start again until a rainfall or two after the snow melts to avoid salt. If I drove it in real winter instead of just the shoulder seasons I would definitely get both. Winter tires help even when there isn't snow on the ground. My real aversion to another set of tires is that I have two sets of winter tires already (my winter car and my wife's car) that I have two switch out seasonally. Then I also have two sports cars (987 Boxster and 3.2 Carrera) that I need to change oil and winterize every fall. At some point in time I have to draw the line and accept that I'm not going to get multiple sets of tires for every vehicle. Thank you

A man after my own style, my car hasn’t even seen salt in a box coming home from a grocery store or a grocery store for that matter. Anyhow, given you wait for road purification via springtime rain, how far out of line would you really be just getting high-performance tires and avoiding the coldest of days till the warm-up begins? Afternoons not morning in early springtime . I ran pilot sport on my 986 and used the same driving schedule you are speaking about, waited a little longer or a little less based on less snow or rain and I never had a problem. 17” turbo twist too, same size you’re shopping, again never an issue.

Also a very good idea and was my original plan when these tires expire. I'm doing a PCA drive in northern Minnesota on October 3rd. Lows could be in the high 40s. I don't want to find out the temperature limits on that drive. Doesn't seem like a good time for new variables. How do you feel about starting a drive in the high 40s on PS2 or PS4 (not all season)? That drive is also pulling up needing tires . Mine have 4-to-6/32" left on them. I'd push them another year but don't need to get some rain and start worrying about traction. Part of me really wants to kick this tire can down the road until next year then deal with this next year.

Don’t delay on old tires . A couple years ago from a standing start at a left arrow, the Spyder walked out a little bit. When at first happened, I thought it was cool, till I understood the tires were done, they still had tread too. Our cars press tire technology to its limits, once reached they let go. Another 986 owner I know went into a lawn for the same reason, the capabilities he was used to were rendered useless when the tires gave up. As for the rest? High 40’s? I would check with the manufacturer for their stated tolerances of temperature. But from out here in the real world? I’m confident I had my 986 out in the 40s and I never saw any effect on summer only tires while doing it.

255/45R17 on the rear will put you closer to O.E.

The PS4 All Season is an amazing tire. I run it on my Boxster in the shoulder seasons. I would strongly recommend going with the 245s front and rear. Then you will get 100% treadwear warranty from Michelin . I run my 987 with a square setup on the factory rims and it works just fine. If you’re less concerned with the tread wear warranty, and more with the looks or feel of a narrower front tire, then your suggested setup will work just fine.

For 245/45ZR17 Pilot Sport All Season 4 tires , Michelin specifies a rim width range of 7.5 to 9 inches. On 987 cars with 17-inch wheels, the front wheels are only 7 inches wide.

If any of you are thinking of buying a new set of O.E. tires for a 987 with 17-inch wheels ( Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 205/55R17 and 235/50R17), note that Tire Rack is showing those tires as "Special/Closeout." So it may be now or never.

I have the '08 but mine has 18" wheels. I have the PS4 with 235 40 on front, 265 40 on rear. Bought mine two years ago, came with Continentals that were hardly used but were older tires so while they seemed in great shape I change tires on my cars every 4 years regardless.

I found a fantastic set of OEM 18's on eBay. There are far more tires available in 18 than 17. You may want to look at that route like I did.