[EPIQTodd]

Originally Posted by tonyg

I visited my dealer and was told what no boxster wants to hear - I have about 2k left on my tires. OK, so I began to research tires, and am buried in information and advice, and totally confused. Tire Rack tells me that there is no downside to putting non-spec tires on the car, but to check with my dealer. The dealer says that the car is setup for OEM tires and that I should continue with either Michelin, Pirelli, or Continentals. That's fine, but there are many other excellently rated (Goodyear F1 Eagles, etc.) available that are much less expensive. I could sure use some advice ..............

I've had both types of tires, and lived to tell the tale. Non N-rated tires won't kill you, or your car, they just aren't approved by Porsche, which is to say Porsche doesn't get the $20 kickback per tire from the tire manufacturer for pushing that type of tire. Anyway, if you don't want N-rated, get something else. Porsche can't test every single X-through-Z rated tire out there and give approval of it, so go based on what reviews you've heard. I've tried Kumho ECSTA 712's and they worked just fine - super cheap, too. I've also done the unthinkable and put S-02A's on my car instead of the Porsche-approved (and identical) S-03's. Dealers are supposed to tell you to get Porsche approved tires, what would you expect them to say?