Rick

Well, the 18" RS Wheels (8Jx 18" ET 52, 10J x 18" ET 65) have been ordered so it's time to finalize plans for tires. My current thought is that I'm going to put on S02s but will search the archives for comments on other tires as well.
I wanted to make sure that I'm on the right track in regards to tire sizing before I order the tires.

Current Tires:
Front 205/50/17 - height is 25.07"
Rear 255/40/17 - height is 25.03"

Planned Tires:
Front 225/40/18 - height is 25.08"
Rear 285/30/18 - height is 24.73"

Is this correct?

The wheels/tires are going on a '95 993 that has the PSS-9 system installed and lowered to just a bit above RS height. If anyone has any comments/suggestions on this, I'm all ears.

Thanks much.

Viken

The diameters can vary slightly from one tire manufacturer to another. You can also consider using the 265/35 on the rear for a bit better balance. The 285/30 will likely give better stick on the rear but might indirectly contribute to understeer depending on how your car is aligned and/or how your PSS-9 is adjusted. It all boils down to how fast you're going.

KC993

Yeah, what Viken said... But do consider S0-3 instead of S0-2.

Viken

[quote]Originally posted by KC993:
<strong>But do consider S0-3 instead of S0-2.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Why?

Rick

Viken,
Thanks for the input on the 265 vs 285. With a 265 tire, I'm assuming the right aspect ratio would be a 35...right?
Having spent the last hour reviewing old posts and checking out the TireRack site, there seems to be a lot of positive comments about the Michelin Pilot Sports and the P-Zeros - what's the real difference between the System and the Rosso Asimmetrico?
I don't drive the car in the rain so dry weather is my only objective.

Marco

I've just bought a set of 03's and will post how I get on with them on the car.

They're supposed to wear better than the 02's and be more predictable in the wet with no sacrifice of dry handling.

They also have some new dual compound technology which ensures fresh rubber throughout the tyre's life.

We'll see.

<img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Viken

[quote]Originally posted by Rick:
<strong>Thanks for the input on the 265 vs 285. With a 265 tire, I'm assuming the right aspect ratio would be a 35...right?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, I believe that was clear in my original post. Sorry if it wasn't.

[quote]<strong>Having spent the last hour reviewing old posts and checking out the TireRack site, there seems to be a lot of positive comments about the Michelin Pilot Sports and the P-Zeros - what's the real difference between the System and the Rosso Asimmetrico?
I don't drive the car in the rain so dry weather is my only objective.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I wouldn't quite trust Tire Rack's tests. They were conducted on a certain car with certain sizes none of which have anything in common with a 993. However, the P-Zero Asimmetrico (part of the System) is one the best tires for the 993 and my personal favorite for overall street performance.

Martin S.

I just replaced my rear SO2s with two more of the same SO2s. I really like the tires, and believe it or not, I got 19,000 miles out of the rear tires. If I can get 19,000 miles on the tires, why change to SO3s. And besides, I have a lot more tire left on the fronts.

I ordered the tires on line from Tire Rack...what a great experience. They drop shipped to my installer (An approved Tire Rack Installet, AJ USA in San Diego). I just popped over to AJs and the mounted and balanced them for aboy $15.00 a tire.

Greg Fishman

Rick,
If you want the best dry weather tire (non R compound) look at the BFG G-Force KD. A friend just got these on his Boxster and they are real grippy, I can tell you more in a few weeks since I will be instructing him at Mid Ohio.
Greg

Rick

Greg,
Thanks for the suggestion - how bad are the BFG's like on wet pavement?
I don't drive my car on rainy days but we all have had those days when you get caught away from home.
Hopefully I'll see you at mid-Ohio - maybe by then I'll have the car all put together(I'm putting on an RS Aerokit, RS Wheels, colored seat belts, etc...).
Thanks again.

Porsche911NYC

[quote]how bad are the BFG's like on wet pavement? <hr></blockquote>

S-C-A-R-Y, but in the dry, they're pretty tough to beat.

Hank Cohn

Rick:

I have the same wheels you have and put S02s on them in sizes 225 and 265. The car is very well balanced with this combination and the tires grip very well. Additionally, it looks like the S02s are relatively inexpensive when compared to other premium tires. By the way, the tread pattern is very aggressive looking!

Hank Cohn

E. J. - 993 Alumni

Hey Rick,

A slight change from Greg's recommendation would be the KDW, with W standing for wet. The dry grip is only slightly compromised and they do fine in the wet - I have been told, no personal experience.

I too will see you at Mid Ohio for Viper Days.

E. J.

Greg Fishman

Rick,
I drove my friends Boxster in the rain with these tires the other day and I didn't notice them being a bad tire. It wasn't a downpour but enough rain that you could hydroplane if you went fast enough.
If you are going to do 95% dry weather driving why sacrifice for the 5% of the time you might be in the wet stuff. Just slow down another 5-10 miles an hour.
An even more aggresive option would be to go with the Toyo RA-1, it should be out in 18" sizes now or very soon since they are listed on their web site.
Of course remember that this suggestion is coming from a guy that thinks Hoosier's are great rain tires.

RSRRacer

I ran the KDs (not KDWs) on my 996 at the track a few times. In the dry, they are unbelievable for a full tread depth tire. Huge outer tread blocks account for much of this.

The KDW is of course much better in the wet. But if you need a tire for both dry and wet, I say get the KD since almost none of us push our cars in the wet anyway.

Chris Brown