Tire size question

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by Avidhts1

I just left my 986 at the local dealer for a 45K service. my tires are shot and I have been shopping for a new set of 'shoes'. I was discussing having the tires shipped from the Tirerack for installation with a brake service and was advised that I needed tires with an 'N' rating approved by Porsche??? I was told that there are 'Pilot Sports' and then there are 'N rated Pilot Sports". Does anyone know if this has any merit... or is my local dealer just trying to jack me for a mark-up on 'their tires'?

There are "N" rated tires. They meet Porsche OEM specs. While I don't know the specific differences in the Boxster application, I do know that on the new 997 GT3, for example, the "N" spec Michelin has different wear characteristics (they don't were out as fast) as the Non N spec Michelin tire.

That said, Porsche usually specifies more than one brand/tire as "N" spec.. in the past, Michelin, Continental, Pirelli and Yokohama have been OEM spec tires. I doubt you would notice the difference in the driving between an "N" and "non-N" spec of the same brand/model of tire.

[Avidhts1]

Many thanks for the feedback- My '03 986 came clad with Pilot Sports... No qualms but no point of reference either. I've been perusing the inventory at the Tire-Rack and the most suitable candidates seem to be the OEM recommendations,... the 'Conti's", Yokohama's, (Pirelli's didn't get rave reviews) and... the Dunlop's... The latter seems to be a very good value and have received reasonable feedback. Does anyone have any input based on a little more personal experience than I have, a 'Noobie 986 owner'

Thanks for hijacking the thread

[Avidhts1]

Sorry- Didn't realize this was such a specialized discussion. my forgiveness if I corrupted your direction

Originally Posted by Avidhts1

Sorry- Didn't realize this was such a specialized discussion. my forgiveness if I corrupted your direction

No worries ,ha

[Avidhts1]

Thanks 'racer d'- The dealer referenced the 'N' rating as having to do with side wall stiffness/thickness or the rigidity of the tire... He said that without this rating the car would handle like S**t... Now I feel like a total dweeb.

[mtch]

Originally Posted by Avidhts1

Thanks 'racer d'- The dealer referenced the 'N' rating as having to do with side wall stiffness/thickness or the rigidity of the tire... He said that without this rating the car would handle like S**t... Now I feel like a total dweeb.

Now how much sense does that really make. Think about it....There are only about 5 N rated tires. So without one of these specific tires, your car, which handled so greatly before, will now handle like crap. Ask yourself what cars have handling capabilities similar to those of P-cars, and what shoes do they wear. Vettes, Ferraris, Vipers, Lotus, BMW, etc, etc. There is something to be said for the N-rating (maybe some corporate back scratching), but there are very capable tires that are not N-rated.