I have a 1997 993 Carrera that will need to replace tires. Sizes are 265/35R18 and 225/40R18. I used to have the Pirelli Pzero System Asimmetrico N3 and i know they were discontinued. I'd appreciate your recommendation on what Brand and tire lines that I should consider. For ex. Pirelli Pzero has various lines; which one would be best. I only drive it during sunny days and I do not race it, but do drive it fast around town.

 

I currently run Pirelli P-Zero Rosso

I have had a few sets and for street driving and they are very good. I reside in Central Cal so no snow/ice conditions. Lots of great brands out there but it’s really just preference and the look that you like. RC

 

I just put new Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 on my '95 993 (replacing some really old Kumho Ecsta's), after also putting the Conti's on my Boxster last fall and really liking them. So far, the Conti's have been great. I'm running 255/40R17 and 205/50R17 (rear and front)

Similar to what you mentioned. I don't track my 993, but I do like spirited drives on twisty back roads around New England. I use the car once the snow is gone here (March/April) thru when the 1st snow comes in late fall/winter (usually December sometime). So a good all season max performance tire is what I wanted. I don't drive it in snow or rain typically.

Hope that helps . . .

 

Ditto the Continental Extreme Contact line- either their summer or all season tires. Lots of people with 993's use them, and they do the job well, and have very decent tread life. Whether summer or all season depends on your climate, but having had both, even in challenging driving, they both very well.

 

Great minds think alike! Also running continental extreme contact sport. 255/40/17. ZR. 225/45/17. Good price too!!

 

I have a new set of Michelin Pilot 4S - size 265/35R18 and 225/40R18. They were on sale at Costco and couldn't beat the price. Was planning on getting Continental Extreme Contacts like the others but these netted quite a bit cheaper with free install. Overall quiet and smooth for my weekend/non-track car.

 

I had the ExtremeContact summer tires on the car up until recently. I replaced them (front and rear) because the rears wore out after 15K miles. The fronts were fine, except, they were 9 years old. It's pointless to put on new rears when the fronts are that old. SO the issue with the ExtremeContact tires is you will run out of time before you run out of tread! (This is on a car driven 2K miles per year). Overall this is an excellent tire.

I am very happy with the Michelin 4S summer on my Cayman. They are also excellent tires - maybe the best overall summer performance tire available today. They don't have the sidewall of the ExtremeContacts or the Michelin PS2, so they feel squishy all the time. They are an excellent choice if you don't mind the soft feel.

The Michelin PS2 is original equipment on the 993. The sidewall is very firm which I think is a good match for the 993. For dry weather summer tires they are great. I find I prefer the turn in with them vs. other tires. They really make the car precise.

Decide if you want all season or summer. I drive only in the summer and only in the dry. I want a street tire.

I bought the PS2's because they are original equipment, and I figure they might not ever be available again when I buy tires. So why not give 'em one more go? More than likely there are tires that are as good or better (the Conti's and the PS4s) for less money. But for the 993 I went with the PS2s.

/

 

PS4S Michelins

 

Ps2s weren't introduced until 2003...

 

I can't comment historically but for at least the last 5 years the PS2's are more expensive than the PS4S and one of the more expensive tire option for the 993 ($1200 vs $1050). That said, despite the price I went with PS2's recently for the Tramont's.

Continentals are considerably cheaper @ $900. All are great options.

 

my only experience has been with Michelin Cup 2s, Continental Extremecontact 02, and PS2s. the continentals are orders of magnitude better than the PS2. But if you dont often drive in the wet or icy conditions, overall Cup 2s are my favorite. the grip is incredible. but gets dicey in the wet/cold

 

I would only put N rated tires on a Porsche and try and get the latest version. Apparently, they are made differently to accommodate the heavy rear, but I do not have a reference. I have a strong preference for Michelin tires after 15 years Porsche ownership and almost 50 years with a 260Z. I put PS2 N3's on 5 years ago and prefer them to the perfectly adequate N rated Conti's they replaced.

 

the difference between an N rated PS2 and a non N rated PS4 or Continental Extremecontact 02 is enormous...to the downside. you are confining yourself to >20 year old tech that way. it is often better to go for N rated tires...when they first come out. not 20 years later.

 

Big fan of the Cup 2 240 in stock C2 sizes. Great grip, rides fine, and not scary at all when driven sensibly in cold or in wet.

 

The Michelin PS' always get lots of love but I don't like spending that when the Conti ExtremeContact work so well overall! Excellent grip on the street, good feel driven fast on canyon roads, and they are still wholly competent in cold weather or if caught by surprise by rain. Add to this getting around 14-15k miles on the rear and to me, this is the winner. I am on my third set on the rears IIRC (so second set on fronts) and am wholly satisfied with em.

Edward