Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tyres

Hi All, Tyre woes today. Last night a white van driver swerved at my wife (and 2 young daughters) for fun causing her to use the verge and get a rear puncture. The puncture is unrepairable and I cant find anyone with a pair of 295/30/18 Pzero N4 tyres in stock, even Pirelli are unable to help. So I am faced with fitting a different set of 4 tyres. I was looking at looking at Michelin PS3 N4 which come in at a breathtaking £1K but spotted the Pilot Super Sports. These get better reviews but whilst being developed with Porsche they do not have an N rating. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated, B

Apparently they have been N rated now http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=699738&mpage=2&key= but whether that will include 18" remains to be seen. Have you looked at Bridgestone SO2A? I have seen rears (N3) for your car at £236 + fitting (circa £10/tyre). If the fronts are 225/40/18 then they are around £120 each. If you pm/e-mail me I can give you the website. They will deliver to fitting centre near you.

I've just fitted a full set of Continental Sport Contact 2 (N2 rated) to my C2 and it has completely transformed the car. The P Zero's that were on it were terrible. They tramlined, squirmed and broke traction at the least provocation. They also needed a few miles to warm up in the winter and, when it was frozen they never seemed to grip. Now with the Continentals I actually like the car, which I was struggling to do upto that point. Got them from Camskills at around £660 for the set (225/40x18 front, 285/30x18 rear). Had them fitted locally and then re-balanced by Chester Porsche centre. Be careful with balance. The average tyre depot doesn't understand the correct way to balance these wheels and can never find the right tool for the machine resulting in the rim not being centralised on the balancer. When that happens you're never going to get good balance. Good luck.

Try these three sites, the first one was giving plenty of Pirelli options on search, no idea on the stock situation. You havent mentioned whether you were a 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive person. If your car is only used for day to day normal driving(exc Turbo) and is 2WD then you can normally get away with different pairs of tyres on each axle. I realise this will cause some comment, so I will just duck down behind the sofa for a while.................... http://www.citytyre.co.uk/results.php http://www.tyrexpress.com/search.aspx http://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s4002p0/Car_Tyres_-_MPV_Tyres_-_People_Carrier_Tyres_-_18_inch_R18_inch_-_295_30_18_295_30_R_18_Porsch

Hi Boggie. I have a pair of pirrelis in that size you can have gratis to get you by. Only problem is I'm near Leeds. They have 2.5/3mm tread remaining. Any good for you? Mike

Thanks Guys, interesting news from my Wife: "Then I spoke with Camskill "" they were very helpful and told me that we are only allowed to put N rated tyres on a Porsche, otherwise the insurance is invalid. He said if you don't have N rated tyres on you can get a fine of £2500 per tyre and 3 points on your licence." Is this true? Sounds like balocks to me and guess what; they don't have the non-N rated super sports in stock but they do have lots of other N rated tyres........ Call me a cynic

Talk to your insurance company. I spoke to mine (Aviva) and they said as long as they were the correct size and speed rating, I could use what I liked. So I did.

I agree. I think Camskill are talking out of their valves. I have just spoken to my insurer and they confirm that as long as the tyres are the correct fitment for the car in terms of size and load rating (and that they have sufficient tread!) it matters not whether they have the dreaded N rating or not. Therefore the choice is down to the individual. This, of course, is also a very popular topic on all Porsche Forums![ ]

As has been said - absolute tosh. I'm very surprised Camskils would say such a thing and go to such lengths with such fabrications as points on your license etc Don't get so hung up about mixing N rated tyres between axles if you can get availability. I've been doing so for 6 months now and can't tell the difference (on track or otherwise)

I too would recommend Conti's, got mine from Event-tyres in Feb 2010 & have worn very well & handling superb. but someone did put a post on recently re where to buy elsewhere & were very competetive in price. check out recent posts hth Paul It was Camskill but considering how 'cheap' they are would be silly not to opt for 'N' rated...... http://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s4002p0/Car_Tyres_-_MPV_Tyres_-_People_Carrier_Tyres_-_18_inch_R18_inch_-_295_30_18_295_30_R_18_Porsche

What was the deal with the idiot van driver? +1 for Contis, I got sport contact N2's late last year for around £230.00 each, they give great grip.

Just a typical jelous van driver. I used to have a 964 and had to go to site. I parked away from everyone and a van driver pulled up next to my car and opened his door on mine hard enough to chip the paintwork. (the #@#@) I use Bridgestone S02 tyres on mine and love them!

Are you sure you can get 4x Michelin N4s ? I didn't think there were N4 rated Michelin's for the front tyres on a Turbo ? I know Michelin do the rear size in N4 but not the front.

You are indeed correct. I had assumed that as there were N4s for the rear there would be the same for the front but only N3s are available..... SO. It seems I have the choice of the Michelin PS2 or the Conti SC2. From what you guys say the Contis are very good but the reviews of the PS2s are much better: Conti SC2 Michelin PS2 Anyone had both? Cheers, B PS: Out of interest, HERE is the review for the Michelin Super Sports.... Interesting reading

LOL, The law cannot enforce whether your using an N rated tyre!. Most Coppers couldn't get past D in the alphabet. Unless there Traffic put your finger's in your ears because they would only be talking crap actually 80% of traffic as well

I don't think the suggestion was that they can! Only that you would be uninsured if you did and therefore get the said penalty if you had a claim turned down because non N tyres were on the car. Either way it's still a load of nonsense.

Not what I saw

Any thoughts on the PS2s please guys? I have to place an order today.....

I had them on my C2 and found them to be the best I had. I have them on my Cayman, and am fairly happy with them, but they do tramline a bit more than I would like, but that might be my actual tyres, and I really need to get a good geometry check done. PS2's seem to have the best reputation of the N rated generally, but are usually the most expensive. Bridgestones would also be worth considering, as they seem to get good write-ups. Contis and Pirellis seem to get mixed reviews.

Thanks Richard. One more question if I may: The PS2s only come in N3 for the fronts but do come in N4 for the rears. From what I know N4s are a Porsche recognised improvement over the N3s for whatever reason. Is it better to get the N4 rears or match the N3s up front and get them all round? I appreciate this has been covered above and in other threads and the general consensus appears to be that N-mixing is no problem. However, it was one of the points raised by Peter Morgan Inspection when I bought the car as the Pirellis were non-matching N numbers so I was wondering why... B

Well I guess as neither of us were on the other end of the phone is difficult to judge exactly what was said or meant![ ] But actually you are probably right because (and I've just looked it up) the points for no insurance are 6 not 3[&:] I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt but obviously that was misplaced.[ ]

I have PS2 and much prefer them to the P zero I used to have. Have to say I hate Brigestones and wouldn't put them on a Roller skate, Sorry.

I think Porsches view was that you replace all for the same N code. I think thats just crazy.

It is when you consider Porsche have only given N4 rating to the rear tyres.........

Porsche's recommendation is to have the same N rating all round. I would recommend the Michelin as I have those on my turbo and have had no quibbles although I haven't tried others. Best place to get the Michelins is at teh F1 Autocentres. They do the rear 295/30/18 N3s for £280 balanced and fitted

I guess that by the time you come round to replacing the fronts, N3 PS2s may have been replaced by N4s. I have the same situation on mine, so went with the later N rated rears (N2 in my case), and will either replace the fronts with N2 when they wear out, or change all 4, because the rears should be worn out about the same time.

Hi All Just been through the pleasure of researching and buying set of new rubber for the targa4. (OK back in March and before joining the club) Always loved Continental and wanted the new ContiSport Contact 5Ps - only not N-rated. Despite Porsche "recommending" Ns I checked with insurance Co. and as others have stated, they weren't to fussed. If pushed, I would have opted for the Michelins though. So replaced the rear Bridgestones and front Pirellis (on the car when I bought it) with what I consider fabulous Contis. Had full geom done at same time and there's a marked difference in drive-ability. Quite stunning actually. For what it's worth bought set of 4 (305 rear/235 front 19") on-line through Lovetyres.com for c.£900! Fitting and balance was £20 a corner if I recall.

Thanks again guys! I love this place - what a resource and a far more pleasant than other 'piston' related communities. OK I have done it: A set of PS2N4 rears are (hopefully) on their way to my fitters for the all-in price of £574. Fronts will be ordered when I get another pay check in a couple of weeks as I have just shelled out for a family holiday and a new Gibson...... All the best and thanks again, B

[/quote] Most Coppers couldn't get past D in the alphabet. Unless there Traffic put your finger's in your ears because they would only be talking crap actually 80% of traffic as well Have to say I hate Brigestones and wouldn't put them on a Roller skate, Sorry.[/quote] Sweeping statements Richard but everyone entitled to their own opinion.[ ] I have Bridgestones on my Turbo S fitted by OPC and no complaints, had PS2 and Dunlops as factory fitted on previous cars and got to say no noticable difference in handling but wear rate was, that said I'm not a driving genius just an enthusiast[ ]

Had to put right what they put wrong for enough years to pass judgement I'm afraid. The funny thing is when you say it to there face they all agree.

I'm running Mps N3's front & Mps N4 rears on my 996 turbo 550bhp, not had any problems, love the grip from them. 11.5 1/4 mile & a couple of track days under my belt too with them, still loads of tread left. £900 fitted from Skidz in Falkirk.

Thanks Doug