1999 Boxster Tires - Recommendations? HELP
 

I have owned my Boxster since new it has just under 8,000 km (5,000 miles) and while the tires are not cracking, nor do I use the vehicle at highways speeds at all, the tires have long since "aged out". I don't track the car, and rarely use it for any sustained highway travel, rather I just use it for around town driving.

It has never been in the rain, but I would like some rain weather capability. It is not ever driven in the snow. I use Michelin on my other Porsches, but am not inclined to get Pilot Sport PS2 as these are now ancient technology. I am considering Continental ExtremeContact Sport and Potenza S-04 Pole Position. I do like to corner carve in the Boxster, but I don't wan't something that will react harshly to bumps (the roads in Edmonton, Alberta are just nasty). It is also worth noting that the car is stored inside in cold weather, on antiflat spot devices, so the tire (Pirelli) can't be prone to cracking in the winter.

Using stock tire sizes 205/50ZR17 front, 255/40ZR17 rear.

I run both these, the conti on my 02 tip because thats what was one it when I bought it and the potenzas on my 01 manual. i dont drive the tip, its for the wife but they are fine for her.
Really happy with the potenzas, great traction and not bad in rain. I think they look great also...while they dont last, but I dont care and it doesnt seem you will either.

Also on a '99, I tried some General GMax--don't laugh, they say "Made in Germany" on the sidewall, and are made by Conti. Tire Rack's folks recommended them and I'm liking them. I did go up to 225s in front. They are summer tires, work well in rain and great dry. Since you're storing in winter they should be ok. I have a few cars with summer tires and they store fine over the winter.

Really happy with Sumitomo HTR Z3’s. Great tire for the $$$.

I’m also running Sumitomo Z3. They have been on the car for a few years and look/perform great still.

Also can’t beat the price ;)

I've read good things about both the Continental Extremecontact Sport. Their wet grip is supposedly pretty solid. Tire rack compared them to the PS4S here https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=223

I've also read some good reviews of Hankook Ventus V12 EVO on BMW forums.

Keep us posted on your decision, I'm curious to see how your new rubber fares on Eddy's roads as I'll be in the market for tires next year.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, much appreciated.

I've had several sets of Conti Extreme Sport & DW tires on my CSS. Good tire but they can cup, even with good suspension & alignment. Google cupping + Continental.

I just bought a set of Bridgestone Potenza S007A tires for my Wheeler Dealer 14 CS and initial response is good. I also got a smokin deal on a set of Yokohama V105s for my CSS and my initial response to them is good too. The Potenzas were priced similar to Contis, the Yokos should have been priced similar to Michelins, but I got them for $713 out the door.

I put about 10k on a set of Kumho ecsta 4x tires. Loved them.

I'm sure the piolet sports are better, but the ecsta's were all season with good wet traction reviews (and in practice great wet traction). These were for my wife to dd back and forth to work on.

When I drove and put my foot down, the tires did pretty well. Stuck good and at high speeds didn't make any obnoxious noises or vibrations.


All that being said... Porsche should only be driven fast and the next boxster we get is gonna have some RE71r's on it. But it will be purchased for my entertainment not to carry my wife to work in.

Had a set of these and I'll echo what's been said about them. Splurged and replaced them with Michelin's this time around, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Sumi's again.

+1 I have had the Hankooks on two different Boxsters and been very pleased with them. Zero track time, A/X, etc. Just lots of local canyon time.

Firestone Indy 500.

I have Potenza S-04, I can confirm it handles pretty well rain or shine. Snow and ice on the other hand is a definite no-go. Scariest 11mph 2 block drive i’ve ever had in my life.

considering Continental ExtremeContact Sport or Potenza S-04 Pole Position; go with the Potenza

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Which ones are you running?

I use Michelin super sports, next tire change will be their 4s tire

Michelin 4S is not available in the sizes I stated, otherwise that is what I would be purchasing, too. I just bought a set for my 997 turbo. Great tire.

bcrdukes....my error, Yokohama's were my last set....now I have Hankook Evo's and I really like them. They came in at a great price and a $100 rebate last year when I bought them.....so far they are very nice. I only drive the car about 5,000/yr (summer) but they ride very nice.

Michelin PS4 (Pilot Sport 4).

Don't know if they are available in the US and if there might be differences to the european tyres. Have new ones in 18" stock size now. Very good tyres in my opinion.

In europe they are availabe in 205/50ZR17 and 255/40ZR17

https://www.michelin.de/auto/tyres/michelin-pilot-sport-4