Tires

[RBatsch]

Interesting thread since I recently bought a Boxster and it will need new tires in the Spring. I've had some experience with the Goodyear F1s on my SAAB Viggen and I would never have considered them for my Boxster. I was happy with them for the first few months but as they wear they get loud...really loud. They ride much harsher than the Michelins (PS2s or PSSs which I currently have one the Viggen), and lose their wet performance capabilities very quickly and don't handle that well. Perhaps they'll do better on the Boxster they did on my Viggen but I'm not taking that chance!

[kk2002s]

Car came with Sumitomo HTR ZIII - I put 24k miles on the rears before I replaced. Probably 5k more than I should have. Fronts still good

All new tires need break in but what one also needs to be aware of is going from little tread (worn tires) to full tread.
There is a big handling difference. The worn tires performed much more like slicks as far as minimal squirm. The new tires, with full tread, have a bit more squirm factor because of full tread. So new tires, same tire, will perform different verses Worn

[smcintyre6492]

My situation is very similar to the OP's: 2004 Boxster, daily driver, live in Central Texas, so very hot summers; not a lot of rain but as a result, when it does rain, the roads can get very slick; snow once every few years, a few freezing days each year, otherwise 40's are common in the winter.

I bought the car with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s on it, have gone with the same each time I've had to replace them, and have been very happy with them other than having to shell out a grand each time. It is that time again, and I'm torn between the PS2 or the Michelin A/S 3. The A/S 3's are 2/3 the cost of the PS2s, have 2x the tread life, and will presumably be better in the occasional cold/wet (not that I've had any real complaint with the PS2s in the cold/wet). So, how much would I be giving up in terms of dry performance, ride quality, noise, etc.? Anyone had experience with both of these?