Tires: Any better options than Michelin PS2 for my 2006 Boxster S?

[Topless]

Tires are always a compromise and no tire does everything well. Think about how you plan to use the car next year and use that as a basis to make your tire choice. All tires get pretty lousy at end of life so it's not useful to compare a new tire with one that has been on the car for 2 years.

Here is my 2cents from the cars I have driven. Currently on PS2's:

PS2's- Very good wet or dry, quiet, low rolling resistance (better gas mileage), lousy in snow and ice, very good track tire in street stock class, wear quickly, big$$.

Bridgestone Potensa RE050 Pole Position- nice tire. very similar all around to PS2's, moderate$$.

Bridgestone RE01R- Great s/s track tire, very good wet or dry, useless in snow and ice, a little stiff and noisy around town, wears quickly, moderate$$.

Falken Azenis 615- very good dry, less predictable wet, useless in snow and ice , very good S/S track tire but a little greasy on a hot day, noisy around town, wear quickly, low$$.

Yokohama Advan Neova- Great S/S track tire, great wet or dry, lousy in snow, a little stickier than PS2's but a little noisier also, wear quickly big big $$.

Toyo RA-1- Great spec class track tire (944,986), great dry, good wet, useless in snow, kinda stiff and loud around town, wear quickly, moderate $$.

Those are the ones I know. There are 100's of others. If you are willing to give up a little dry performance there are a handful of all season tires that will work much better in ice and snow and last twice as long. good hunting!

[blinkwatt]

Originally Posted by Topless

Falken Azenis- very good dry, less predictable wet, useless in snow and ice , very good S/S track tire but a little greasy on a hot day, noisy around town, wear quickly, low$$.

Which model Azenis,ST-115 or RT-615?

[Topless]

RT-615. They were mounted on a friends 82 911sc. I think he is on Bridgestones now.

[FTD]

Here's my story. I bought my Box with worn Pzeros. Even though the fronts were still good, I decided I didn't like the Pzeros. I researched and researched and eventually went with the Micheline PS2s. Turns out maybe I despised the Pzeros because they had become square. Anyway, the Michelins are very fine but they are also VERY expensive. Plus I started tracking and man, did that really kill some fun - wearing out the $$$$$$ tread.
So, I found a set of beat up but still round 17" wheels for track. I put some $400 Nexens on them. What's a Nexen? Beats me - but it works and it fit in my budget. Once I wear the Michelins down the plan is to put the Nexens on my everyday 18" and some slicks on the 17". I have taken the Nexens to the N Ga mountains on a rainy day and to the track and I am confident they will be just fine for everyday all weather tires. They cost 1/3 as much as the Michelins, and then I can spend more on the slicks. In fact, a set of Nexens and a very good set of slicks will come out to the price of the Michelin PS2's.
Wish I had this plan to start with - so maybe someone else likes this perspective and can benefit by my lessons.

[NickCats]

FTD,

+ 1 on the Nexens.

I have those on my Box right now ( came with the car ) and I have been very pleased with their performance at the Tail, Autocrossing, and on the track. I have put about 20k miles on them and they need to be replaced ( which I think is pretty good longevity for Boxster tires ) and I plan on sticking with the Nexens the next go round. I would love to get a set of Victoracers for dedicated autocross tires if I could find some cheap 17" rims.

Nick

[FTD]

Originally Posted by NickCats

FTD,

+ 1 on the Nexens.

I would love to get a set of Victoracers for dedicated autocross tires if I could find some cheap 17" rims. Nick

Thanks for the vote!
I found my rims on the PCA website. It turned out that the rims were 15 minutes away from home! Very cool. Even cooler - I walked away with four for $250. :dance: :dance:
They look pretty beat and the 17" is a bear to clean - getting in to the barrel without the rotor beating up my knuckles was too much of a battle. But I am VERY happy.
And bottom line, paying three times as much for Michelins is hard for me to justify anymore.

[edevlin]

"I have the 19" PS2's and love them. I have just over 17,000 miles on them, and plan to replace the rears early this summer. Righ after a few early Spring drives. I think the fronts might last me one more summer."

17,000 miles, ha, I wish, I am lucky to get 6,000 miles on a set of PS2 rears, and I dont track the car, just a little spirited driving from time to time.....

Ed

[saaber]

Originally Posted by NickCats

FTD,

+ 1 on the Nexens.

I have those on my Box right now ( came with the car ) and I have been very pleased with their performance at the Tail, Autocrossing, and on the track. I have put about 20k miles on them and they need to be replaced ( which I think is pretty good longevity for Boxster tires ) and I plan on sticking with the Nexens the next go round. I would love to get a set of Victoracers for dedicated autocross tires if I could find some cheap 17" rims.

Nick

I have had excellent luck with the Nexens also (18"s). Over 17k miles and they are still pretty good (photo of rears below). Almost wish the back ones didn't grip so well so I could powerslide more ha ha.