Tyres - RS/GT3 - Page 2 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

I need to replace the Cups on my 4.0 and 996 RS, what would you recommend replacing them with? I want something that's more of an all rounder. I find the Cups too compromised for wet roads and especially any standing water.

Michelin Pilot Super Sports (if the car is not in warranty) If it IS still under a Porsche warranty, just ask a Porsche dealer to supply and fit them for you

Ok thanks that's interesting. I've got them on another RS of mine, I posted this before but think they look odd. I think its the sharp edge/square profile and level of tread. Do you know what I mean? Have you got a pic of them on yours? Thanks for your help

Options for the 996 RS: Yokohama AD08 or AD08R Pirelli Trofeo or Trofeo R Both the above have a wider usage window than Cups esp in non R flavour. They are also good for track use.

I think you asked about this recently and I responded then, but until the new Cup2s arrive in 997 19" sizes the only tyre I will put on my 7.2RS is the MPSS - for reasons you cite above. The rears (325) used only to be available from the US )where I got mine), but don't know if that's still the case, however all other sizes are available in UK. I've had them on both 7.2 GT3s and whilst I get them from various sources, I always have them fitted by OPC (centrelocks) to my in-warranty cars, and never entertain the N-rated question. I'm paying for them to fit tyres to their "form over function" centrelock wheels, not asking or paying for their permission to fit them! I know they're safer for our roads...and conversation usually ends at that point. They are of course compromised on track over Cups, but I can live with that as wear rate and non-deformation is quite phenomenal, and thus a reasonable upside. PF Edited by PorkaFly on Saturday 15th February 23:56

Tirerack's fitment engine for a 2008 GT3 RS.1...throws up 21 possibilities...granted as Porka points out not all available this side of the pond....but ensuing at least widen the canvass...i've listed my choices... N Rated: Bridgestone Potenza RE050A N0 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A N1 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 N2 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup+ N1 Pirelli P Zero N2 Pirelli P Zero Rosso N1 Pirelli P Zero Corsa System N1 (A favourite of mine) and once you've wandered off the N1 reservation: Michelin Pilot Super Sport Dunlop Sport Maxx Race Continental ConfiForceContact Bridgestone Potenza RE-11

Thanks a lot that's really helpful. I have asked before but I'm a bit confused as I'm getting conflicting advice from here and another source. Getting there now though. J

i'd be tempted to look at Corsa's (if you can get them?) - i had them on a 7.2 gt3 and they wore very well.

pistolp said: Ok thanks that's interesting. I've got them on another RS of mine, I posted this before but think they look odd. I think its the sharp edge/square profile and level of tread. Do you know what I mean? Have you got a pic of them on yours? Thanks for your help I thought the same when I fitted mine but I put it down to a slightly squarer shoulder on the MPSS and combined with a decent amount of tread when new , the big tread block adds to that "squareness". If that makes sense.....

Makes perfect sense. Have you got a picture?

I'd go for a Corsa. Good road manners - comparatively - and nice on the circuit. On your 996 you will need to run them at 2.0 bar and not 2.1 bar that you should be running your cups at for optimium. They will be almost as quick on the lap ( within a second) but will not be as sure footed as the cup so expect to do more wheel work. The Toyo's are not a great track tyre if you are quick - ask a lot of your tyres. They dont like weight ( great in a 993 Clubbie but not great on a 996RS) and will go off quickly on the circuit. i cant get ore that 2 flying laps out of them before they go off - and they do GO OFF. Ultimately for the circuit, the cup is still the best tyre but as an all rounder, the Corsa has the edge in wet conditions

I thought the Corsa was now out of production and replaced by the Trofeo??

Steve Rance said: I'd go for a Corsa. Good road manners - comparatively - and nice on the circuit. On your 996 you will need to run them at 2.0 bar and not 2.1 bar that you should be running your cups at for optimium. They will be almost as quick on the lap ( within a second) but will not be as sure footed as the cup so expect to do more wheel work. The Toyo's are not a great track tyre if you are quick - ask a lot of your tyres. They dont like weight ( great in a 993 Clubbie but not great on a 996RS) and will go off quickly on the circuit. i cant get ore that 2 flying laps out of them before they go off - and they do GO OFF. Ultimately for the circuit, the cup is still the best tyre but as an all rounder, the Corsa has the edge in wet conditions If you can get Corsa's this is good advice and satisfies the n-rating warranty folks, but I switched to the MPSS in 2011 as I could never source Corsa's which were OEM tyre on my first 7.2 GT3. They don't last as long as MPSS but I would go for these over MPSS if available. I'm hoping though that the promised 19" n-rated version of Cup2 will be out soon and then MPSS will become moot. PF

PorkaFly said: I'm hoping though that the promised 19" n-rated version of Cup2 will be out soon and then MPSS will become moot. PF If Michelin holds true to their forecast....the MPSC 2 for 7.2 RS fitment...should be available in April...

Steve Rance said: I'd go for a Corsa. Good road manners - comparatively - and nice on the circuit. On your 996 you will need to run them at 2.0 bar and not 2.1 bar that you should be running your cups at for optimium. They will be almost as quick on the lap ( within a second) but will not be as sure footed as the cup so expect to do more wheel work. The Toyo's are not a great track tyre if you are quick - ask a lot of your tyres. They dont like weight ( great in a 993 Clubbie but not great on a 996RS) and will go off quickly on the circuit. i cant get ore that 2 flying laps out of them before they go off - and they do GO OFF. Ultimately for the circuit, the cup is still the best tyre but as an all rounder, the Corsa has the edge in wet conditions Its more than an edge Steve, Cups start with 4.5 - 5mm tread new and just about cope on a wet road but within 2000 miles ( Less than a euro trip for example ) the rears will be half worn and positively dangerous in certain conditions. Corsa much much better as a road tyre but I'd fit MPSS regardless, best all rounder currently made IMHO.

BMCG said: PorkaFly said: I'm hoping though that the promised 19" n-rated version of Cup2 will be out soon and then MPSS will become moot. PF If Michelin holds true to their forecast....the MPSC 2 for 7.2 RS fitment...should be available in April... Fingers-crossed...I won't need them until end of season/year as just put a new set of MPSS on, but will be very happy when they do appear. Michelin say they are not having the "issue" they had with MPSS with Porsche, and are completely confident that as Cup2 was accepted for n-rating on 991 GT3 it would be on previous versions, but it don't know if this has been done already or is pending. But I do know they are very keen to support previous versions of GT3 (18" & 19") and become the n-rated track/every day tyre of choice, and see a real opportunity as a result. They've definitely been listening and are keen to up their game and are now getting the support from France to do so. PF

Shame they don't do supersorts in the correct 18 inch size for your 996 and my 993. I'm just sticking with the cups and I'll continue to take it easy in extreme wet conditions. Just ordered new fronts from Pneus online, they were 170 quid each delivered for 235 45 18, went up from 225 to see if it improved turn in much, very slight difference but could be noticing it because they're new

Hi Steve - is the Pirelli more versatile? I want an all year round tyre really? You say it has the edge but to be honest I'd like a bigger step/improvement if possible. Thanks though. PF is the new MPSC2 supposed of better than the outgoing tyre in wet conditions? I take it they've worked on that hence its a development of the predecessor.

Currently asking my OPC to fit Cup2s to my 997 GT3. Will report back on what they say!

Cup 2's have a deeper tread so will be better than Cup 1's, but it's still a track tyre - never going to be as good as the Corsa / SS / Pilot etc etc in the wet / damp / cold.

pistolp said: Hi Steve - is the Pirelli more versatile? I want an all year round tyre really? You say it has the edge but to be honest I'd like a bigger step/improvement if possible. Thanks though. PF is the new MPSC2 supposed of better than the outgoing tyre in wet conditions? I take it they've worked on that hence its a development of the predecessor. I've had a good look at the Cup2 but haven't driven anything with them on yet, but as confirmed elsewhere on Porsche forum they are made in same way...same structure as MPSS, and they look pretty similar too tread wise. The tread is around 6mm I believe but looks more akin to depth of MPSS (8mm?) than the Cup+ of course. Michelin told me it would wear more like MPSS as used same rubber compounds so was advised they would last nearly as long. By the by, I don't think the MPSS is that bad in wet...compared with Cup+ it's positively fantastic!!! I'm not sure what the comparators those who say its rubbish in wet are using Taking the above into consideration, my view differs from Shavenhaven (that user name always cracks me up - good effort!) in that it will perform as well as a Cup+ but is now an everyday tyre rather than just a track tyre and quite unsuitable for British roads. Reading Macca's post on his 991 GT3 Euro Trip after pick-up, he rated them quite highly and thought their damp, cold and wet weather performance was pretty good. Others have suggested the alternative OEM 991 GT3 tyre by Dunlop is even better, but I have no knowledge of it and have seen no info about it being produced in previous version n-rated sizes. I will be more than happy with Cup2s going forward, and will save the hassle of having to import the 325 rears and do the OPC dance over n-ratings. If you can't get n-rated Corsa's I would put the MPSS on and then move to Cup2 when they come out. Of course, just my view, but hope that helps Pistol PF Edited by PorkaFly on Sunday 16th February 21:28

ahh....rather to my surprise...mytyres.co.uk is showing MPSC 2 in stock in 305/30 ZR19 102Y XL..... and....325/30 ZR19 105Y XL! Edited by BMCG on Sunday 16th February 22:01

Steve Rance said: I'd go for a Corsa. Good road manners - comparatively - and nice on the circuit. On your 996 you will need to run them at 2.0 bar and not 2.1 bar that you should be running your cups at for optimium. They will be almost as quick on the lap ( within a second) but will not be as sure footed as the cup so expect to do more wheel work. The Toyo's are not a great track tyre if you are quick - ask a lot of your tyres. They dont like weight ( great in a 993 Clubbie but not great on a 996RS) and will go off quickly on the circuit. i cant get ore that 2 flying laps out of them before they go off - and they do GO OFF. Ultimately for the circuit, the cup is still the best tyre but as an all rounder, the Corsa has the edge in wet conditions Steve - have you tried Yoko Advan AD08 as an all-rounder (for 996RS)? I'd be interested to know your thoughts.

BMCG said: ahh....rather to my surprise...mytyres.co.uk is showing MPSC 2 in stock in 305/30 ZR19 102Y XL..... and....325/30 ZR19 105Y XL! Edited by BMCG on Sunday 16th February 22:01 I had to look on mytyres to believe it...but not n-rated I note, so...just how they launched MPSS. Interesting... PF

Far Cough said: pistolp said: Ok thanks that's interesting. I've got them on another RS of mine, I posted this before but think they look odd. I think its the sharp edge/square profile and level of tread. Do you know what I mean? Have you got a pic of them on yours? Thanks for your help I thought the same when I fitted mine but I put it down to a slightly squarer shoulder on the MPSS and combined with a decent amount of tread when new , the big tread block adds to that "squareness". If that makes sense.....

I know what you mean about the 'squared off' edge..... The pic I posted above is the rear and you can see a little 'V' shaped shoulder on the edge of the tyre, almost like a wheel rim protector.

Harris_I said: Steve - have you tried Yoko Advan AD08 as an all-rounder (for 996RS)? I'd be interested to know your thoughts. Hi. We tried Yoko's a few years ago but I couldn't find my notes on the test so I'm not sure of the model. The Yoko tyre we tested was better than the Toyo in the wet and much better than the cup but again in the dry it had a small window of optimum performance before it went off. I think that is where the cup scores. Amazing tyre for outright pace and consistency on a GT3. Awful on my 993 by comparison, just couldnt get them to work. The Toyo was definately the better tyre on the lighter 993. The 996RS that we tested weighed in a 1325KG (No front cage or aircon). The 993RSR is 1095KG. I've never had a problem with cups and the wet. They are pretty bad in the cold and wet though. If I were running a GT3 all year round, I'd run cups as a summer tyre and a set of winters - probably Pilot sports or something similar.

Thanks Steve, that's very helpful. FWIW, I'm impressed with the Yokos. Good all-rounder, coped very well at a torrential Goodwood and a fine road tyre. I sense the Cups are not far off slicks in dry conditions but they're so damn short-lived and expensive to replace.

Yes, they are to an extent. The performance compared to a slick is much better - far longer window. I get about 3 days out of a set of rears and 4 days out of a set of fronts on the track. The performance envelope would be within a second over the whole period. Compare that to a set of mich slicks on a cup and I'd expect to get 40mins - 60 mins from a set but by the end they would be 1.5 -2 seconds slower and all but undriveable. The downside for cups is that they do not deal with standing water as well as a tyre with a deeper/dispursing cut tread. Sound like the Yoko fits your bill nicely. On the track though, I'd go cup all day long. still an incredible tyre. Ive seen drivers have their cups cut as wets before. I would be very interested to drive a GT3 with these fitted - not sure of the road legalities though? Edited by Steve Rance on Tuesday 18th February 10:18