REAR tyres

I know there has been a lot of discussion around type/make of tyres and running pressures etc, but i can't seem to understand why i am only getting approximately 4-5K from my back tyres. I use my 996 C2 with GT3 Aerokit every day....to and from work approx 4 miles each way...stop/start slow traffick. Gets a run on the motorway/A roads every other week. Have done 12K this year and have just had to order my third set of Pirelli P Zeros 265/35 ZR 18 (N4). Tyre pressure at the rear, set to 44 PSI and checked regularly. Wear across both tyres are even, well the centres of each tend to wear slightly more than the outer third or so. Trouble is, every set i have had have all worn evenly. As far as i am aware, there have been no suspension mods/upgrades. Whilst i have replaced my front brake discs, i intend to do the rear ones soon. Can anyone put their finger on possible problems or can someone give me an idea as to what mileage you are getting out of your rear tyres. I tried ordering some Mitchelin pilot sports (N2) which are the same price as Pirelli, but unless i was prepared to replace all four tyres Porsche insist on the N ratings all being the same. So i guess i will carry on with the Pirellis until the front tyres are worn enough. However, its costing me a fortune.[ ]

David Sounds like you have similar use to me. I got about 12000 miles from my last pair of rear P-Zeros, and the fronts seem to be wearing at half the rate. My second pair have done about 6000, and are half worn. I don't drive it like I stole it, but I don't hang about. Most people say that the P-Zeros are noisy, but I don't think mine are that bad. Having said that, I'm going to try Michelins next time, just to see why everyone raves about them. If you are getting even wear, I suppose it is possible that you could have a combination of too much negative camber (wearing the inside edges) and too much toe in (wearing the outside edges). It's a bit unlikely, but it would be worth getting it checked.

Despite Richards wear rate above your experience with the N4 Zero's is the same as several other 996 owners i know of, who have since switched to Michelin and achieving over 10k miles now from the rears. Earlier PZeros seem to be much better.

If the Michelin's last twice as long does that mean they have alot less grip ? Im running the p-zero's, have done about 3k & the rears are very low now

The Michelins might have fractionally less grip, but they tramline less, especially under braking and are quieter. Despite the aged looking design of the Michelins they give very good wet and dry grip.

I'm not questioning that what you guys are saying is true. But: Working on the premise that: a) I look to be getting about 12000 miles from 2 consecutive pairs b) Pirelli would not produce a tyre with a design life of 3000 miles c) Porsche tested and approved the tyre You chaps having problems either: 1) Drive like hooligans 2) Do lots of track days 3) Have something wrong with your alignment 4) Have been unlucky with Pirelli Quality Control and there are quite a few dodgy tyres out there. This could well be the main issue, and is worrying. I find the P-Zeros do tramline, which only appeared after a couple of thousand miles. I do find that the pressures of the fronts are quite critical to this, and if they drop 3-4 psi the tramlining is worse. The steering is heavier on my C2 with P-Zs than on my brother's C4 with Contis. The P-Zs tend to 'ping' on road joints a bit more than Contis, but I can't say I get a lot more tyre 'roar' or 'drone'. The P-Zs have a lot more grip. Perhaps it is the luck of the draw, but am I the only one without problems?

after 7000 miles, 2 brands trackdays & a couple of days at the ring my P Zeros still have a fair bit of use left in them. The fronts are starting to go off on the outside edges, but without any more track time I would say they and the rears should be good till at least 10,000 miles. Grip has been really good, noise not an issue and overall very happy with their performance in the wet & dry. 4-5k seems well below reasonabe expectations for general road use

i killed a pair of rear continentals on my c4 in just under 4k miles , now on pirellis ! 75pno

Crikey...hope the Pirellis last longer than that!!! The Bridgestones come in about £350 a pair, so at this rate will need two sets a year DOH!

996 c4 with MO30 suspension. Just about to change my Michelin Pilot Sports after about 12 k miles. They wear a lot on the inner edge due to camber so I changed them round on the rims to put the bald part to the outside and the good part to the inside. ( I am tight) Got some new Michelin PS for £600 for the pair but they are now an asymmetric pattern so won't be able to swap them on the rims when worn.[ ] cheers, chris

I'm sure I read that a 996 can have dodgy wear if you don't corner hard enough.

I'd be looking into a new alignment if I were you, my Michelins usually lasts between 12 and 15 000, and after I did the last alignment the inner wear got much better, even though I've got max camber.

I got 14,000+ out of my Pirelli P Zeros on my 997 C2S. Pirelli are now the Official Sponsors for PCGB. Look out for some great offers in next month's Porsche Post on Pirelli tyres. Brendan Daly Operations Director Chairman Motorsport.

^^^^^ +1 If they are wearing unevenly, then get an alignment check done. I used to get 12,000 from the rears (Pirelli and Michelin) on my C2, and the wear was perfectly even across the tread. There were several reports of Contis lasting only about 4000 miles (me included, on my Turbo) but I think that iit is resolved now.

My C2 Manual with M030 suspensioin and LSD has worn the tyres down nice and even, however would have liked something nearer 10K from a set, dont want to slow down so might have to change tyre brand, but would have to change fronts as well I guess?

Have so far done12k with N2 Contis on my 996 C4S with plenty left..... purchased from Event Tyres..... hth Paul

Sounds good, how much for the contis? N2's? My Bridgestone's are N4's does that mean N2's are harder wearing? Bst

I paid £717 for all four back in 2010, currently around £100 more.... I think the N rating numbers are just the progression of development of the tyres not anything to do with compounds but I stand to be corrected..... hth Paul

First thing, as has been mentioned, is a "proper" geo set up from somewhere like Centergravity. I get around 14k miles from the rears on mine as a result - they are Bridgestone too which I think will have pretty much the longest life of any of the "N" brands. Secondly, where are you paying £350 for a rear tyre? I get mine from a certain online provider and currently 305/30/19 Bridgestone N1s for my 997 turbo are £250 ish delivered (I then pay around £12 per corner for fitting).[ ]

Hi Captin, agree something I should get done, as the wear was nice and even on both back tyres didnt think it could be that far out, but would be good to get it checked out..not many people seem to be using Bridigstones but they were on the car when I brought it and seemed to be a good match. Sorry I am paying £350 a pair fitted balanced new valves, which I didnt think was too bad! If they are half price of other brands brands then I can get through two sets a year at no additional cost, always nice to have some new rubber! Bst Andy

18,000 on my Michelin PS2s rears and still have 3mm on them. The fronts are at 5mm although wearing a bit more on the inside edge. Normal driving plus the odd track day.

We're talking 285/30/18? See here...........for N3 tyres http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/car-tyres-285-30-18.html £209 delivered - add £15 for valve/balancing if you have a friendly tyre place near you![ ]

18,000 miles....dont even get that from my wifes Renault Scenic Avons!! Do Porsche know, think they would be most interested !!!

Hi Im running a C4s on Bridgstones all round. Ive done 5,000 miles on them from buying the car, previouse owner had done 3,000 miles. I had the car all 4 wheel alignment, camber and tracking done when I bought her as the handling was a little tetchy and there is still loads of tread left on all four corners. I was very pleased with the alignments and somewhat amazed at how much they were out but at how easy it was for the chaps to correct, @ £79.80 for the alignment I think its money well spent and think it should be factored in at every new set of tyres as they cost enough to buy so better have the optimum suspension set up from day one. Happy motoring.

Hi Captain, 255/40/17's N4's.. Had a look at the pneus site and the Bridgestones come in at £150 each, so similar price but a great site with very reasonable prices... Bst A

Have had geometry done twice, once at OPC and once at Track Torque Tockwith who also set my Elise up for trackdays. Both said geometry not far out only needing minor adjustment- so why the bald inner edge on the rears? Chris

Hi just a question - wht of condition is your rear shocks and springs? I had a TT that had similar probs and as soon as I replaced the springs/shocks the problem was gone! Cheers

Hi mike, springs and shockers should be ok I reckon as car has only done 40k miles

After 3 sets, I consistently get 16,000 from my Michelin Pilot Sports on rear (17" 255 width). Maybe I'm not trying hard enough?

In for first service after 19500 miles on Michelin PS N2's - fronts still legal, (235 /35) rears not so much [ ] (305 /30)

Hi, I only got around 7k on my Bridgestones as well, no trackdays, just a little spirited drive every once in a while[ ] Just had Michilin PS2 put all round, along with a refurb from Exel so all going great now. Will try to upload pics of refurbed wheels

Mine came with new conti's (295/30/18) on my C4S and I got 9k out of them. They only needed replacement due to inner wall wear. I've got new Conti's on them now (N2 like the last rears) and am going to get 4 wheel alignment done. I paid £230 per tyre after shopping around. It would appear that no N rated tyre can be swapped round (to wear the other edge and get more miles from the tyre) as they all seem to be uni-directional tyres. Does anybody know of N rated tyres that you can swap over?

Directionals can be put on either side, but you obviously have to have them turned on the wheels. If the alignment and camber are correct, uneven wear shouldn't be an issue. Mine always wear evenly, but I'm quite anal about it. Edit: Sorry - WELCOME Sat!

Hope this dosnt depress you all but Continentals on my C2 Cab, on second set from new ....car now on 40K miles ...... I must drive faster !

The 285/30/18 is the standard size for the facelift 996 rear tyre, so they will fit fine. The only difference is that the facelift had 8" front wheels, and yours are 7.5" wide. Both use the same sized front tyre. Will you notice any difference? I very much doubt it. The upside is that they fill the arches a little better. The only snag I can think of is from an insurance point of view, as they will be non-standard for your model.

Thats great Richard. Thanks for your advice. Never thought about insurance implications.

Just contacted insurance and they said it makes no difference to premium, its only BHP increase that would alter it. Happy days CCI.

I live local to Richard and for what it's worth, I have just replaced the rears on my 996T 295/etc and a pair of Bridgestones cost me £570 fitted and balanced at a reputable outlet in High Wycombe.

I have just ordered 2 Michelin PS2 285/30/18 for £ 438. Cheapest I could find, from Pneus online. Even with fitting locally its a good price imo.

Do you have them delivered to the Tyre Fitter direct ?

That is an option when you order the tyres online, but I have them coming to my home address, then I can get them fitted at my leisure. They have selected fitting depots throughout the country.

Thanks, How do you get them to the tyre fitters as I would imagine they don't fit in a 911 ?

I believe when you buy them online there is the option to ship to the fitting depot instead of your home address. If you have a look at their website you will see what I mean. Good Luck.

Hi Sam, Moved to the 996 area and I'm sure someone will be able to clarify for you. [ ]

The pre-facelift (3.4) cars were fitted with 265x35x18 rears, and the MY2002 facelift (3.6) cars with 285x30x18. Also, the 3.4 cars had 7.5" wide front wheels, and 3.6 cars had 8.0". People often fit 285s on the rear of pre-facelift cars, mainly for the look.