Best Tires?? Recommendations!!

[23109VC]

I *think* the current tires are PZero Nero Assimetricos.

That was what was on the car when my dad bought it, and that is all he has ever put on it. part of his issue was - fronts or rears never needed replacing at the same time, and he didn't want to buy all 4 when he only needed two, nor did he want mismatched f/r.

so he stuck with what it had. they are NOT bad tires. if that was all i put on it, i'd be smiling ear to ear around every turn. i just wondered if it could get even better.

part of why i think his car handles so well is the combo of 18's + M030. i test drove some "base" boxsters w/out this suspension upgrade and they have substantially LESS performance in the turns.

the car will proably handle great w/any GOOD tire. I just want it to be as good as I can amke it.

[Adam]

I have the PS2 michelins on the car and I've been happy with them. I would like even more dry grip though for auto-x. They are just about worn out and I think the next set will be Yokahama Advan Neova's. I've heard good things about them.

[kabel]

Ah, another tire thread...
I shall quote myself quoting Randall

Originally Posted by kabel

I simply love the Pilot Sport PS2s, they are an amazing street tire. and to quote Randall from this thread: Which tyre is best?

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

I have PS2's on my car now and unless I am flat broke, I'm going to keep putting them on my boxster. Excellent traction in all sorts of weather...

[Ofishbein]

I swear by PS2s, but if you really don't care how long they last, get Michelin PS Cup tires. They will only last a season but you should be happy with the grip. Just stay away from wet spots.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Ofishbein

I swear by PS2s, but if you really don't care how long they last, get Michelin PS Cup tires. They will only last a season but you should be happy with the grip. Just stay away from wet spots.

Yeah the Pilot Cups are a good tire, but there are others out there that perform as good or better for significantly less. R compounds are tempting, but I would like something that lasts longer. The Advan Neova's are a bit stickier than the PS2's and I should be about to get two seasons or more out of them so they seem like the best compromise.

[Frodo]

I, too, am getting close to the point where I need new rubber.

A quote from Tire Rack regarding the Goodyear Eagles:

"Like all summer tires, it is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice."

They say basically the same thing about the PS2s.

While I don't drive my Box in the snow (or even if there's visible road salt still on the road, after the snow's gone), I do still drive to some extent year-round.

What are the consequence of driving such tires when it's cold? Is it dangerous? If so, is that still true even if you're not "pushing" your car anywhere towards its limits, traction-wise? Is it detrimental to the tires? Just curious.

Originally Posted by Frodo

Is it detrimental to the tires? Just curious.

Frodo, it is mainly detrimental to your sheet metal!

[edevlin]

PS2's rule,

Ed

[mtch]

Originally Posted by Frodo

What are the consequence of driving such tires when it's cold? Is it dangerous? If so, is that still true even if you're not "pushing" your car anywhere towards its limits, traction-wise? Is it detrimental to the tires? Just curious.

I was wondering about this very issue just last week. I'm thinking of replacing the all seasons with summer rubber and wonder if cold temps damage the tire or simply degrade performance.

Like you, I drive when it's cold, but not if there's any precip or salt on the roads

[RandallNeighbour]

I'm no tire expert, but I did find that my ultra high performance summer tires flatspot badly in cold weather (40 degrees and colder) and feel like wagon wheels for the first few miles after taking the car out of the garage. The Kumhos were the worst in this regard. Sumitomos were better, and Michelin PS2's much much better.

Wheel spin, especially on wet roads when its cold, is prevalent with many ultra high performance summer tires.

I don't think the temperature drop hurts the tires in any way... they just don't perform well. But I could be all wrong on that.

[CA_Boxster]

Originally Posted by Frodo

I, too, am getting close to the point where I need new rubber.

A quote from Tire Rack regarding the Goodyear Eagles:

"Like all summer tires, it is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice."

They say basically the same thing about the PS2s.

While I don't drive my Box in the snow (or even if there's visible road salt still on the road, after the snow's gone), I do still drive to some extent year-round.

What are the consequence of driving such tires when it's cold? Is it dangerous? If so, is that still true even if you're not "pushing" your car anywhere towards its limits, traction-wise? Is it detrimental to the tires? Just curious.

For the Eagles in question (I have them and I did think about that warning before I chose them) it's a combination of rubber compound as well as tread pattern. The rubber compound gets too hard to give much grip so you lose some traction. How much you lose is uncertain - my guess is they're covering asses by warning you but you'll generally be OK as with any Summer performance tire. The tread pattern is a different issue. The V-shaped pattern on the Eagles will not grab in snow or mud. It's purely meant to put down to biggest tire patch while funneling away water. The tires have great dry and wet grip but I wouldn't risk getting caught in any kind of snow with them. I've read stories of people parking in dirt lots, getting rained on and remaining stuck until the mud dried. Goodyear did recently release the all-season version with some gripping tread but I don't know much about those.