ciscostud

Hello All,

I need help here and didn't see much in searching threads to go off of.
I am on my original Pirelli Pzeros (11,500 Miles) 245/295 with 20 Inch Carrera Sport Classic Wheels (I believe 8.5/11).
I definitely have OEM spacers as part of my ordered build.
I want to change to the newer N-Rated Michelin 4S tires.
Should I do 245/295, 245/305 or 255/305? I believe I have read that the Michelin bulge or sidewall profile is not as full as the Pirelli.
I am considering both looks and handling. What would you guys choose and why?

2013 Carrera S Cab PDK PDCC

Davito

I just got 4s 245/305, I don't think the 255 are N-rated

Homeles

fastdiablo

Why don't you stick with OEM factory size recommendations? IMHO, function over vanity prevails when it comes to tires.

2010panny4S

The ones I ordered recently to replace my Pirelli were the following, these were NO spec for Porsche




MICHELIN
PILOT SPORT 4S
Max Performance Summer

• Front: 245/35ZR20 (95Y) XL
• N0(Porsche)
• Style: Blackwall
• Eco Focus: Michelin Total Performance
• Load Range: XL
• Serv. Desc: (95Y)
• UTQG: 300 AA
• Rear: 305/30ZR20 (103Y) XL
• N0(Porsche)
• Style: Blackwall
• Eco Focus: Michelin Total Performance
• Load Range: XL
• Serv. Desc: (103Y)
• UTQG: 300 AA

ciscostud

Yes, I think this is a very valid argument.
And it was also said best.. there is no N rated 255 tire. Even GT3s with far more power are running 245/305. For me to run 255/305 suggests I think I know better than Porsche and can improve upon their design!
245/305 it is.

I am very excited as I believe the N rated Michelin 4S should be a large step up from the OEM Pirelli Pzeros the car has. And that is even assuming when new. My car has only 11,500 miles with PDCC (which I originally read extends tire life), so there is still some tread left, but i am now at 6 plus years old. My understanding is tires by the 5 year point need to be changed due to age and hardening and have lost some of their grip. This is one reason I haven't been pushing the car as hard in the twisties as the past. And age of tires was one of several fatal mistakes that Roger Rodas made with Paul Walker in the famous and deadly Carrera GT crash. A 5000 mile car with original tires over 10 years old! What an amateur mistake for someone supposed to be such a professional driver.

Homeles

ciscostud

This is true as well. I think I will stay with the 245/305, but I completely understand why someone might choose to do 255/305.

RobC4sX51

keithgreer

I went with the 305's in the back when I replaced my P Zeros with the 4S's. They work just fine and look better in my opinion and give a little extra buffer against curb rash.

Psorcery

I'm one of those guys whose always willing to go wider on the tire at any chance I get.. Something about P cars sways me away from doing this because I feel as if I'm going to completely throw something off.. Speedo will not be at 100% accuracy which can trigger something. Reduces understeer? Yeah, at what cost? More oversteer in a rear weight bias car? No thanks. Either way, nobody drifts these cars all the time.

Stick with the stock tire size.. They're meaty as is it. Improve your driving.

natman316

I went with 245/ 295...same as OEM. car handles great and our C2S do not put down so much power that we need extra meat on the rear tires IMO. I already find it hard to break traction in the dry with 295s. Up sizing the front tires in theory would reduce understeer but you will have less responsiveness/feel. Again, I feel like I do not under-steer much in this car (SPASM +PDCC) to warrant the wider tires so I stuck with factory specifications. My car runs the carrera S wheels.

One other thing to keep in mind is Michellin runs wider than Pirelli for the same size, so I feel the tire set up looks thicker anyways and there is plenty of sidewall to protect the rims while parking (if that is one of your concerns).

These tires are AWESOME! much better than OEM pirellis.

ciscostud

ciscostud

In my driver training, I remember the instructors saying, at Porsche driving school at Barber in Alabama, that Porsche would rather have a little more understeer dialed in with drivers than oversteer on a rear engined car. That most drivers could handle that easier than the back end kicking out. Based on everyone's input, I personally see why, at least for me, 245 is my choice on the front (including that it is N rated), and 305 on the rear. All 991 Carreras seem to be coming with 305s these days with the same chassis and wheels as my car. I don't know if it started with the Rev 2 Turbos or not. I don't think the tad extra meat on the rear hurts. Also in my case, I do have an upgraded exhaust and plan to add sport headers and a tune to put down a little more torque and power.

Psorcery

Interesting input there.

The GT3 RS gets a 325 width but that's also on a 21" wheel. There's definitely room back there.

How wide are your wheels? I've got the 12" rears on the back so the wheel can definitely support it... If you go wider tires please share your input as I'd really like to read it... I experienced the pendulum effect in a 991.2 base once upon a time and it was a butt clinching moment.