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

[cerberus]

Hey guys,

I am new to this forum and would like to say hello and have a tire question.

I need to replace the Michelin PS2s on the Boxster S. The car has the factory 19s with 235/35/19 fronts and 265/35/19 rears.

What tires have you guys tried that are comparable to the PS2s in dry performance and durability? I don't care about wet weather ability and cheaper is always a plus.

Also, has anyone tried larger than stock sizes on the factory 19" wheels? Maybe 245/30/19 and 275/30/19? Do you think there are any benefits of going 10mm wider than stock?

Thanks for your help
Sandy

Hi Sandy, welcome to the Forum!

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.

I have thought about other tires too, but after driving the Tail of the Dragon, in rain and dry, I am truly convinced these are great tires. Not cheap.

To me it is not worth the potential "risk" to try new tires that I may or may not like better.

[cerberus]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Hi Sandy, welcome to the Forum!

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.

I have thought about other tires too, but after driving the Tail of the Dragon, in rain and dry, I am truly convinced these are great tires. Not cheap.

To me it is not worth the potential "risk" to try new tires that I may or may not like better.

Thanks for the welcome!

What do you think about the Continental Sport Contact 2's? I have them on my other car and they perform fairly well. Howeer, I have never compared them back to back with PS2s.

[Sammy]

Goodyear F1's are a great tire and cheaper than the PS2's. I have used them for a few autocrosses and were much better than the old Pilot Sports I replaced them with (could be because the PS's were at the end of their life so don't take this as a definitive claim that they are not as good as the F1's). I think my F1's end up being a couple hundred dollars less than the PS2's and I am extremely happy with them. I have used them for a few autocrosses (before I invested in dedicated track tires) and drove the Tail of the Dragon in both wet and dry.

[racer_d]

What is it about the PS2s you didn't like? The mileage you got out of them? Performance characteristics?

I believe Porsche certifies more than one brand as OEM. Perhaps Continental or Pirelli? Maybe even Yokohama?

Going 10mm wider would like not be noticable if you find a brand that doesn't come in the OEM Porsche sizes.

I wouldn't casually overlook wet weather performance either, nothing worse then getting caught out in a suprise rain storm, or on a trip, and wish you hadn't skimped out.

[kyle986driver]

I hear the PS2s are great tires, although ive never used them. I have used Kumho ecstaMXs and now hankook ventus rs2's for autocross..both were very good tires

[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!

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Sammy

Goodyear F1's are a great tire and cheaper than the PS2's.

Yep...BEST wet performance I have ever experienced, which for me is the #1 quality. On dry surfaces all these tires are marginaly the same. The lower price for American rubber seals the deal.

[cerberus]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the feedback.

I have no complaints whatsoever about the PS2s from a performance perspective. However, mine are heat cycled and need replacement. The only complaint I have of PS2's are the replacement cost. If I can find a comparable dry performer at a lower price point that would be great.

[BOXZING]

Originally Posted by cerberus

Thanks for the welcome!

What do you think about the Continental Sport Contact 2's? I have them on my other car and they perform fairly well. Howeer, I have never compared them back to back with PS2s.

Sandy, my Boxster came new with Sport Contact 2s and I loved them. I got 22,850 out of them. When it came time to swap out, I went cheap, Sumitomo HTRZII. They are a bit iffy in the rain and have very square profiles. The sidewall doesn't buldge out too far and they look too narrow.

[CBAD-986]

So I am interested in the Nexens, Which version of the tire is making everyone so happy?

Thanks

[NickCats]

N3000 :

https://www.tiresavings.com/tireShop.php?action=findMan2&manufacturer=Nexen&tirename=N3000&season=

I have 225/40ZR18 front and 265/35RR18 rear so about $400 for a set.

Nick