Can someone tell me a manufacture date of this tire (pic included)

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by Quadcammer

are you implying that you are able to generate throttle oversteer in a stock boxster or that you let off the throttle when the car starts to push

My statement was, and I quote "I tend to use the right pedal to reduce the understeer"

The fastest way around a corner is usually the smoothest, so sometimes a little patience with the throttle is the fastest way. Sometimes you have to lift a little to maximize overall speed through the corners. Finesse is faster than wrestling with understeer. A little trail braking can help.

So my answer to your question is: no, not completely, but can come close to throttle induced neutrality.
On offramps where it is easy to test the car at its limits (at least for right hand turns), it showed, as you already know, understeer, a little throttle modulation allows one to transition to neutralish.
The modest 200 hp is plenty under these conditions. The trick is to use most or all of what is available power and grip most or all of the time.
The stock car I find handles close to neutral, it appears the engineers intentionally kept it in the safer understeer range to save idiot drivers from themselves. I think the engineers did an excellent job designing this car.

If one wants, they can change the set up to be more neutral or even some oversteer I suppose...

[986 Boxster]

Originally Posted by DreamSign

My statement was, and I quote "I tend to use the right pedal to reduce the understeer"

The fastest way around a corner is usually the smoothest, so sometimes a little patience with the throttle is the fastest way. Sometimes you have to lift a little to maximize overall speed through the corners. Finesse is faster than wrestling with understeer. A little trail braking can help.

So my answer to your question is: no, not completely, but can come close to throttle induced neutrality.
On offramps where it is easy to test the car at its limits (at least for right hand turns), it showed, as you already know, understeer, a little throttle modulation allows one to transition to neutralish.
The modest 200 hp is plenty under these conditions. The trick is to use most or all of what is available power and grip most or all of the time.
The stock car I find handles close to neutral, it appears the engineers intentionally kept it in the safer understeer range to save idiot drivers from themselves. I think the engineers did an excellent job designing this car.

If one wants, they can change the set up to be more neutral or even some oversteer I suppose...

I get what your saying, and I agree, but wouldn`t it be nice not to worry about the car understeering in the first place?
I prefer a car that oversteers than a car that understeers.

I`m no engineer or expert, and I`m sure Porsche engineers designed the car to understeer for a reason, but you would be surprised how much of a difference a 225 tire makes at the front vs a 205 on these cars. I can take turns a lot faster with a 225 vs a 205 without trail braking. I like fast in fast out
Even my Cayman had understeer, and a lot more than the Boxster, and changing the front tires from 235 to 245 made a HUGE difference.

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by 986 Boxster

I get what your saying, and I agree, but wouldn`t it be nice not to worry about the car understeering in the first place?
I prefer a car that oversteers than a car that understeers.

I`m no engineer or expert, and I`m sure Porsche engineers designed the car to understeer for a reason, but you would be surprised how much of a difference a 225 tire makes at the front vs a 205 on these cars. I can take turns a lot faster with a 225 vs a 205 without trail braking. I like fast in fast out
Even my Cayman had understeer, and a lot more than the Boxster, and changing the front tires from 235 to 245 made a HUGE difference.

Hmmm, I'm surprised it makes a big difference. Good thing for me my local Firestone was busy until next week. I'll switch it to a 225 50 17 instead

[986 Boxster]

Originally Posted by DreamSign

Hmmm, I'm surprised it makes a big difference. Good thing for me my local Firestone was busy until next week. I'll switch it to a 225 50 17 instead

Go with 225/45r17 if you have 255/40r17 at the rear. It will be a better match.

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by 986 Boxster

Go with 225/45r17 if you have 255/40r17 at the rear. It will be a better match.

I know it may sound crazy, but I prefer a little more shock absorption by the taller sidewall. 112 mm vs 101mm sidewall

It raises the very important WAF (wife acceptance factor)

[986 Boxster]

Originally Posted by DreamSign

I know it may sound crazy, but I prefer a little more shock absorption by the taller sidewall. 112 mm vs 101mm sidewall

It raises the very important WAF (wife acceptance factor)

I understand , but you are going to be almost an inch higher at the front vs the rear.

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by 986 Boxster

I understand , but you are going to be almost an inch higher at the front vs the rear.

* update Somehow my calcs are wrong, Firestone is reporting the 255s at 25" and the 225 at 25.9"

Sooo yeah, almost 1 inch difference.

[Boxstard]

Originally Posted by 986 Boxster

I get what your saying, and I agree, but wouldn`t it be nice not to worry about the car understeering in the first place?
I prefer a car that oversteers than a car that understeers.

Completely agreed!

For my 97 with mighty 2.5, I feel 255 rears are overkill… but if you are to take full advantage of their grip, 225 is the way to go.

I went from 205/ 255 to a bit unconventional 215/ 245 combo. I was okey to trade off some rear grip for weight reduction to help get up and go. I went from Michelin all season to PS4S summer tires (that don’t come in 255/40/17 anyway), so I’m sure I actually gained more grip as long as it’s not too cold… and a bit wider front gives me sharper turn-in and my tail has not come around me through corners.

Together with base M030 rear sway bar (thickest from factory for 986), I love how my car rotates keeping my right foot on gas pedal, not off to mitigate understeering.

[986 Boxster]

Originally Posted by Boxstard

Completely agreed!

For my 97 with mighty 2.5, I feel 255 rears are overkill… but if you are to take full advantage of their grip, 225 is the way to go.

I went from 205/ 255 to a bit unconventional 215/ 245 combo. I was okey to trade off some rear grip for weight reduction to help get up and go. I went from Michelin all season to PS4S summer tires (that don’t come in 255/40/17 anyway), so I’m sure I actually gained more grip as long as it’s not too cold… and a bit wider front gives me sharper turn-in and my tail has not come around me through corners.

Together with base M030 rear sway bar (thickest from factory for 986), I love how my car rotates keeping my right foot on gas pedal, not off to mitigate understeering.

There's no greater feeling when you are pushing your car, than accelerating thru the turns and feeling the car grip without worrying about the car understeering or oversteering.
It sounds like you have your car handling well and you are enjoying it, nice