Front Tires For Wet Conditions (88Y or 92Y Michelin Super Sports Front)??

[DRGETZ]

QUESTION:

Do any of you more seasoned Boxster owner's have experience/knowledge to share regarding 88Y's and 92Y's front tire size performance differences and/or feedback regarding Pilot Super Sports especially in wet conditions?

Bought my first Porsche, a 2000 S (41K miles) about 2 months ago and looking to replace my YOKOHAMA ADVAN NEOVA® AD08R with some Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

Two FRONT sizes listed for the 2000 Boxster S (18") on several online retail sites:
225/40ZR18 (88Y)
225/40ZR18 (92Y)

The 88Y's: 6.3" tire width
The 92Y's: 8.2" tire width

BACKGROUND INFO:

Live on Okinawa (Japan) with rains year-round. Temps average 82F and only 3 months of sub 70F with lows reaching about 60F (with wind-chill factored).

In other words I live and drive (aggressively when safely possible) in a warm, wet climate.

Okinawan Roads can be very slick, especially since they use crushed coral in their asphalt mix.

The Yokohama's have great DRY grip but the rear wants to slide out every time I drive across WET painted pavement such as cross-walks, etc.
(Pretty much 50% chance of rain every day on this island.)

Read that Michelin Super Sports performed better than the Michelin All Seasons (A/S) and would like to try the Super Sports before giving in to All Season tires.

Thanks in advance for sharing your time and knowledge.

[Porsche9]

Congrats on your Boxster. I'm guessing in Japan it's not a common car.

Check out the information on Tirerack's website about load ratings (the 88 and 92) and other good tire info.

Unless you see some cold temps I'd recommend summer tires for your Boxster. They are in general going to offer better dry and wet grip then all seasons.

By the way - you may want to take the other post down since its identical to this one.

Happy tire shopping.

Tire Tech Information - How to Read Speed Rating, Load Index & Service Descriptions

[Topless]

AD08 is a pretty awesome dry grip tire and the MPSS is more of an all-around street tire. They are good in the rain but a pretty big mismatch for the AD08. If you want to try the Super Sports, put them on all 4 corners to maintain good tire balance in cornering.

The difference between 88Y and 92Y refers to load rating, not width. Both tires are 7.9" tread width.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?gclid=CJ3fgrDl9s0CFY9ffgodl8IB4A&tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Super+Sport&partnum=44YR8PSSXL&GCID=C13674x012-tire&KEYWORD=tires.jsp_Michelin_Pilot_Super_Sport_Tire&code=yes&src=17540115&ci_sku=44YR8PSSXL&ci_sku=44YR8PSSXL&ci_src=17588969&ef_id=V4mIbgAAANSmimXZ:20160716010550:s

[DRGETZ]

Thanks I agree that all four should be replaced with the same brand/model.

As I shared, the rear loses traction and wants to slide out when driving over painted surfaces (or deep puddles = hydroplaning) but my question has to do with the differences between the two load options.

After what TOPLESS said below, I am leaning towards the 92Y as they list as about a pound heavier and imagine they would have thicker side walls to accommodate a heavier load. Also read that the thinner walled 88Y's tend to understeer.

Would really appreciate if someone that has driven on BOTH the Yokohama AD08R's and the Michelin Super Sports would share their experiences and compare the two.

[DRGETZ]

Originally Posted by Porsche9

Congrats on your Boxster. I'm guessing in Japan it's not a common car.

Check out the information on Tirerack's website about load ratings (the 88 and 92) and other good tire info.

Unless you see some cold temps I'd recommend summer tires for your Boxster. They are in general going to offer better dry and wet grip then all seasons.

By the way - you may want to take the other post down since its identical to this one.

Happy tire shopping.

Tire Tech Information - How to Read Speed Rating, Load Index & Service Descriptions

Thanks- I had it posted for over a day with no reply so I thought I'd have more luck here???